In 2024, the European Union took a decisive step in digital transformation by approving the new regulations. eIDAS 2 (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services). A key evolution to ensure reliable digital identity and secure electronic services throughout Europe. With this update, the EU reinforces its commitment to a Secure, Inclusive and Competitive Digital Economy.
What is eIDAS?
eIDAS is the European regulation that establishes a Common Framework for Digital Identity Europe and the electronic signature. Its objective is to provide digital tools for the exchange of data, communications and secure operations between citizens, companies and public administrations, providing an internal digital environment of Trust Between Member States.
The original version came into force in 2016, but digital acceleration and the emergence of new technological needs have led the EU to update and expand its provisions. Así Nace eIDAS 2, approved in 2024, which introduces the “European Digital Identity” and new tools for full interoperability.
Rolling out eIDAS means higher security and more convenience for any online activity such as submitting tax declarations, enrolling in a foreign university, setting up a business in another Member State, bidding to online calls for tenders. In the future uses will be extended to authenticating to internet payments and remotely opening a bank account. (European Commission, eIDAS Regulation)
What is included in the “European Digital Identity”:
1. 🔑 European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet): a “digital wallet” is introduced for all EU citizens and businesses.
With this mobile wallet you will be able to:
- Securely store and manage national identity documents, professional or educational licenses, official documents such as driving licenses and payment methods, and exchange this information for access to public and private services.
- Electronically sign documents with legal value.
- Control what data is shared.
For example: you can present your “wallet” to rent a car in another EU country, showing that you are over 25 years old, without physically handing over your driving license, making photocopies, or revealing unnecessary data.
2. 🌍 Legal framework and pan-European interoperability: all member states must ensure that their digital identification systems are recognized and accepted in any EU country to access both public and private services. This common regulation:
- It requires each country to offer at least one recognized digital identity wallet that is interoperable in all EU countries.
- Establishes common technical and security requirements, compatible with the GDPR.
- It requires certain sectors (such as banking, health, education) to accept this digital identity to access services.
3. 🔒 New trust services: In addition to electronic signatures, trust services are extended to electronic seals, certified delivery, web authentication and electronic records, promoting legal security in the digitization of processes.
eIDAS implementation schedule:
• 2024: formal approval of eIDAS 2 and publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
• 2025-2026: development of EUDI Wallets and adaptation of national systems.
• 2026 awards: mandatory acceptance of the European Digital Identity in all relevant services, both public and private.
The impact of eIDAS 2 on companies
1. Adapting to change:
Integration of eIDAS APIs: it will be necessary to connect internal systems (ERP, CRM, web portals, mobile apps) to the access points (APIs) defined by each member state for the issuance and verification of credentials. This involves:
• Develop wrappers or adapters for each national “wallet” provider.
• Conduct cross-border interoperability tests.
Infrastructure modernization: some legacy environments (mainframes, monolithic databases) may not easily support flows based on JSON-LD or DID (Decentralized Identifiers), requiring architectural revisions.
2. Simplification of operations:
• Faster management of customers, suppliers and employees: from hiring and labor management, to signing contracts and providing services, eIDAS 2 facilitates 100% digital, agile and secure processes, eliminating face-to-face procedures and reducing costs and waiting times.
• Less fraud and manual errors: Credentials issued under eIDAS are guaranteed to be authentic and cannot be easily falsified, reinforcing the reliability of the data.
• Opportunity for digital transformation: development of innovative solutions compatible with the EUDI Wallet, optimizing business operations, through new solutions for process automation, Intelligent document management Or data security with the anonymization of documents.
Is your company ready for eIDAS 2?
In Brait We are specialists in digital transformation and we have accompanied more than 200 organizations from all sectors, in more than 30 countries, adapting their SAP systems to regulations such as ViDA, Electronic Invoice And Process automation.
Do you need advice to comply with eIDAS 2? Do you want to prepare your company for the European digital identity?
Contact us and we help you make the leap to the new digital era with security guarantees and legal compliance.
