European digital identity wallet for companies
The EU Parliament and Council have adopted the revised eIDAS regulation, which lays down provisions on EU cross-border identification services and trust services of electronic transactions. The technical implementing acts concerning the regulation are expected to be finalised in 2024. The key obligation imposed by the revised regulation is that the Member States must provide companies with a European digital identity wallet meeting the requirements of the regulation by 2026. However, companies are not obligated to use the wallet.
The wallet enables electronic identification in the EU and is a way of proving that the information provided can be trusted
The first European digital identity wallets will become available in 2026. After the introduction, an EU cross-border wallet will enable identification and be a way of showing that the business details provided are trustworthy. Companies can include their up-to-date official certificates and permits in the wallet to share them with their partners. The wallet can also be used as a tool in the company's operations and finances. For example, it allows companies to transmit and receive e-receipts and e-invoices or prepare tax returns.
Wallet applications simplify transactions where different types of paper certificates and permits are currently required. It also improves security because the accuracy of data can be checked digitally.
Finland participates in the preparation of the European digital identity wallet
Finland actively participates in the preparation of the European digital identity wallet, taking part in the technical specification, preparation of a legislative framework, and piloting. The Tax Administration participates in the technical specification in order to ensure that Finland's views will be taken into account and that Finnish operators will receive information about the ongoing work.
The Ministry of Finance coordinates Finland's participation in the implementation of the revised eIDAS regulation.
Piloting of the wallet in Finland
The wallet has been piloted in Finland and in Europe since 2023. The objective of the piloting is to generate input for the technical specification of the wallet. Pilot participants include a large number of public and private sector organisations.
The piloting focuses on cross-border use, which means, for example, that a Finnish wallet may be used in another country’s service, or another EU country’s wallet application may be used in a Finnish service.
The Tax Administration supports the preparation of a European wallet in Finland and identifies roles and responsibilities associated with it. In addition, the Tax Administration ensures that the wallet solutions work together with Finland’s existing e-identification and trust services.
The Tax Administration participates in the EU Digital Wallet Identity Consortium (EWC), where the piloting is carried out. The EWC comprises 27 Member States and nearly 80 different organisations. It will run from 2023 to 2025.
Finland is represented by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Tax Administration, the Finnish Patent and Registration Office and the State Treasury. Finland’s involvement is implemented in cooperation with the Real-Time Economy project.
Read more about the EU Digital Wallet Identity Consortium (EWC)
