In the future, citizens and companies should be able to identify themselves digitally throughout the EU. The EU countries agreed on rules for a personal digital wallet on cellphones in Brussels on Tuesday. This could be used, for example, when going to the authorities, applying for a loan or registering for digital services. Such a digital wallet is indispensable for the citizens, said the Czech Digital Minister Ivan Bartos on behalf of the current EU Council Presidency. Citizens always retained control of their data. However, before the digital proof of identity can come throughout the EU, the EU states still have to agree on common rules with the European Parliament. The EU Commission proposed the legal framework for digital proof of identity in June 2021 at the request of the heads of state and government. According to the authority, people in only 14 Member States can currently use their national electronic identity card across borders. Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) spoke on Tuesday of an “enormously important project” for Germany. The Federal Republic wants to take big steps forward when it comes to digital identities. “The national electronic identity must be closely coordinated with a European electronic identity.”
EU – Digital wallet is coming – Economy
