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The rules for digital identity in Europe are evolving rapidly, and the eIDAS 2.0 regulation means your organization must prepare and update its practices as soon as possible.
By 2030, EU citizens and companies will prove who they are and what they’re authorized to do using a single digital identity wallet. This isn’t a distant vision; it’s the fruit of many years of regulations being implemented step by step in Europe.
However, the path to a European identity wallet is marked by different milestones, with many of them coming into effect by the end of 2025, like the establishment of Trust Services all over the continent.
Understanding what eIDAS 2.0 means, how it works, and why early action will define digital trust across the EU, is fundamental for companies trying to stay ahead of their competitors.
With compliance deadlines fast approaching, companies must start preparing now to avoid rushing their digital transformation and building their client’s trust in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
What is eIDAS 2.0?
The original eIDAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) 910/2014) harmonized the use of electronic identification, signatures, seals, and trust services across the EU, coming into effect in 2014 and fully applicable from 2016.
However, as technology advanced rapidly and business models evolved, it became clear that a more user-centric, secure, and interoperable digital identity framework was needed to meet the demands of the modern Single Digital Market.
This pressing need paved the way for the revised regulation, known as eIDAS 2.0, which entered into force on May 20, 2024.
Why Act Now?
- eIDAS 2.0 has been in force since May 20, 2024.
- By 2026, every EU member state must provide at least one European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) to citizens and companies.
- Integration of the first functionalities by member states started as early as September 2024, with core trust services to be in place by the end of 2025.
Companies that engage with public institutions, provide digital services, or operate across EU borders must ensure compliance to maintain legal validity of signatures, seals, and identities in the new digital ecosystem.
What’s New in eIDAS 2.0?
A key innovation in eIDAS 2.0 is the introduction of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), which will give every EU citizen and business access to a recognized and interoperable digital identity usable across all Member States. This wallet enables users to securely store and share only the necessary personal data, enhancing privacy and control.
In addition, eIDAS 2.0 expands the Trust Services ecosystem by adding new qualified services such as electronic certificates, signatures, seals, credentials, and certified electronic archiving, strengthening the legal validity and security of digital transactions throughout the Single Market.
The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet):
Your Digital Passport across the EU
At the heart of eIDAS 2.0 is the EUDI Wallet, a secure mobile app through which individuals and businesses can store, manage, and present a wide range of digital credentials: ID documents, professional certificates, business licenses, education diplomas, health credentials, and more.
With this new electronic wallet, companies can authenticate themselves, sign contracts, participate in tenders, or prove attributes required for various transactions, both online and offline.
- Availability: Wallets must be provided to all citizens and legal entities within 24 months after the relevant technical acts are finalized. Full rollout is mandated by 2026.
- Business Impact: The wallet means easier cross-border operations, faster onboarding processes, streamlined KYC/AML compliance, electronic archiving, and improved trust and customer experience. For users, all these features will be accessible in just one tap, seamlessly and legally.
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) in eIDAS 2.0:
The new language of Trust
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are a cornerstone of the eIDAS 2.0 framework, fundamentally transforming how digital identity and trust are managed in Europe’s digital economy. VCs are digital certificates that are cryptographically signed and instantly verifiable, acting as proof of identity, qualifications, or authorizations.
VCs empower individuals and organizations to present digitally signed, tamper-proof credentials, such as IDs, qualifications, or authorizations, that can be instantly and securely verified by any relying party across the EU.
Unlike traditional credentials, VCs provide fine-grained, selective disclosure: users share only the information necessary for a specific transaction, preserving privacy while meeting strict regulatory requirements.
These Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are:
- issued by Universities, public authorities, employers, or QTSPs
- Stored by the user in their EUDI Wallet
- Verified instantly by any authorized service (e.g., a bank, HR system, public tender)
For businesses, Verifiable Credentials simplify complex identity verification processes by enabling quicker customer onboarding, enhancing regulatory transparency, and strengthening overall security through cryptographically secured proofs. This modern approach minimizes manual checks and helps firms focus resources on growth and innovation.
Integrating VCs within the EUDI Wallet empowers organizations to offer users control over their personal data, facilitates smooth transactions across multiple jurisdictions without interruptions, and ensures that all digital interactions meet stringent legal standards under eIDAS 2.0 and GDPR.
Expanded Trust Services and Security
eIDAS 2.0 expands the trust services ecosystem beyond electronic signatures and seals. Qualified Trust Services now include:
- Remote management of signature devices,
- Electronic attestation and validation of attributes (e.g., professional roles, business authorizations),
- Certified electronic delivery,
- Electronic archiving of data and documents,
- Recording in electronic ledgers.
Companies such as Signaturit Group, a leader in digital trust solutions, are already investing in these new services to ensure our clients remain compliant and secure across the EU.
How Signaturit Group Helps you Comply with eIDAS 2.0?
As a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) and provider of digital wallet solutions, Signaturit Group helps your organization quickly adapt to and comply with eIDAS 2.0 requirements.
Our comprehensive suite of services includes:
- EUDI Wallet: A secure, fully compliant European Digital Identity wallet enabling seamless digital identity management.
- Verifiable Credentials (VCs): Tools to issue, manage, and verify trusted digital credentials easily and securely.
- KYC & Onboarding Solutions: Streamlined customer verification processes to accelerate onboarding while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Qualified Electronic Signatures & Seals: Legally binding digital signing and sealing services to authenticate documents with full eIDAS recognition.
- Archiving & Compliance Services: Reliable, compliant storage solutions that fulfill all eIDAS 2.0 standards for long-term digital evidence preservation.
With these offerings, Signaturit Group empowers your business to build digital trust, enhance security, and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with confidence.
Compliance Deadlines and Steps for Companies
For European companies, waiting is not an option. Businesses must immediately assess their digital identity processes and act decisively to ensure compliance with eIDAS 2.0.
Delays risk regulatory penalties and missed opportunities to build trust, streamline operations, and compete effectively in the EU digital market. Proactive preparation is essential to secure your future success.
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 |
| November 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. |
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.
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.
eIDAS 2.0 FAQs
eIDAS 2.0 is the updated EU regulation on electronic identification and trust services, in force since May 20, 2024, introducing the EUDI Wallet and new qualified trust services.
It’s a secure European digital identity wallet that lets you store, manage, and share verifiable credentials across the EU.
VCs are cryptographically signed digital certificates that can be instantly verified, enabling selective data sharing and faster KYC/AML compliance.
eIDAS 2.0 took effect on May 20, 2024, with EUDI Wallets due by 2026 and full adoption targeted by 2030.
You’ll face new obligations such as accepting EUDI Wallets and VCs, stronger interoperability, and smoother digital user journeys.
Audit your identity processes, choose a qualified trust service provider (QTSP), plan technical integration, train your teams, and test Wallet + VCs.
As a QTSP, Signaturit Group provides EUDI Wallet, VCs, qualified e-signatures, electronic archiving, and KYC solutions to keep your business compliant.
