Table of contents
European companies are facing a pivotal regulatory shift: eIDAS 2.0 is redefining digital identity compliance across the EU, with new deadlines and obligations rapidly approaching.
The mandate goes far beyond meeting legal requirements: it demands immediate action to transform core digital workflows and client interactions. Businesses that move quickly will ensure ongoing legal validity, streamline operations, and gain decisive trust advantages in the Single Digital Market.
Inaction not only risks regulatory penalties, but also jeopardizes future competitiveness and customer confidence. The time to prepare is now, as this regulation triggers a fundamental rethink of how companies handle identity, compliance, and cross-border engagement in Europe.
eIDAS 2.0 Timeline
The transition to eIDAS 2.0 is driven by a clear regulatory roadmap, with multiple key milestones that every company operating in the EU must track closely.
Starting with the regulation’s entry into force in May 2024, the timeline includes a series of implementation acts, wallet rollouts, and adaptation windows that extend into 2027 and beyond.
These deadlines are not merely procedural, they mark the phased introduction of new digital trust requirements, technical specifications, and mandatory obligations for companies, public authorities, and service providers.
Closely following this structured schedule is essential for timely compliance, operational readiness, and strategic advantage in the rapidly evolving European digital economy.
Key dates to remember:
| Date | Milestone |
| May 20, 2024 | eIDAS 2.0 enters into force |
| September 2024 | Member states integrate basic EUDI Wallet features |
| November 21, 2024 | Commission plans to adopt final implementing acts |
| End of 2025 | Rollout of qualified trust services and core features in member states |
| 2026 | EUDI Wallets must be available for all citizens and businesses in the EU |
| September 2026 | Deadline for trusted service providers to comply with new eIDAS 2.0 requirements and for EU Member States to deploy their EUDI Wallets |
| 2025 – 2026 | Initial years of development, improvements, and monitoring by the European Commission, alongside an adaptation period for citizens, businesses, and institutions; authentication system attribute verification within 24 months of approval (Article 45e) |
| 2025 – 2027 | Development and specification of requirements for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in online identification with EUDI Wallets, definition of obligations for large online platforms, and mandatory acceptance of EUDI Wallet by all public administrations (Article 5f). |
| 2030 | Target for 80% of EU citizens and businesses to actively use the EUDI Wallet under eIDAS 2.0 standards as adapted by organizations, companies, and institutions. |
Companies: Why Prepare Now?
For companies, eIDAS 2.0 is much more than a regulatory requirement: it is a catalyst for efficiency, growth, and future competitiveness. The new regulation represents a huge business advantage for organizations that ensure rapid compliance. From a business perspective, the framework drastically reduces administrative overhead by simplifying complex cross-border identity checks and paperwork, enabling organizations to verify customers, partners, or counterparties instantly, no matter where they are in the EU.
Early adopters will benefit most by leading their industries in digital trust, while late adopters may face operational risk, reputational loss, and missed market opportunities.
Integrating the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), using verifiable credentials and new trust services allows companies to reengineer customer journeys, accelerate digital onboarding, and automate compliance for KYC, AML, and data protection. Enhanced customer trust and superior user experience will set your brand apart, helping retain clients and win new business as digital transactions become the norm across public and private sectors.
Practical Examples for Companies
- Contracts and deals: Sign and execute cross-border agreements instantly using the EUDI Wallet—no need for paper or complex validation.
- KYC and onboarding: Instantly verify new customers, employees, or partners by requesting only required, and verified,attributes.
- B2B services: Demonstrate business authorizations, licenses, and certifications directly from the wallet during transactions or tenders.
- Compliance: Maintain electronic records that meet EU standards for archiving, traceability, and validation.
Use Cases by Sector
- Finance & Banking: Compliant KYC/AML via instant credential checks
- Healthcare: Access digital health credentials with privacy controls
- HR & Recruiting: Accept and verify academic or professional credentials instantly
- Public Services: Enable cross-border identity verification for citizens
- Legal & B2B: Digital power of attorney, signing, authorization workflows
Business Value for eIDAS-compliant Companies
eIDAS 2.0 delivers significant business value by ensuring full compliance with harmonized EU-wide legal standards, which reduces regulatory risks and simplifies cross-border operations.
It enables faster, trusted digital interactions through secure and interoperable digital identities, enhancing user experiences by streamlining authentication and transactions.
Additionally, eIDAS 2.0 helps companies build a future-ready digital infrastructure that supports innovation and long-term competitiveness in the evolving European digital market.
Conclusion
eIDAS 2.0 is a milestone for digital business in the EU. With deadlines approaching fast (wallets must be available to all citizens and legal entities by 2026), integrating trusted digital identity and compliance solutions is not just a legal obligation but a business opportunity. Companies like Signaturit Group are committed to supporting organizations through this transition, delivering compliant, cutting-edge solutions for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The time to act is now. The next steps for companies preparing for eIDAS 2.0 include assessing your current identity workflows to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. Also, you need to explore the readiness of digital wallets and verifiable credentials within your systems to ensure seamless integration. Finally, you can connect with our experts to discuss tailored implementation strategies that accelerate your compliance and digital transformation journey.
Stay ahead of the competition by ensuring you are eIDAS-compliant: contact our experts today so we can help you get ready for the profound transformation this new regulation represents for European companies.
