European Wallets: what are EUDIW and ARF?

What is EUDIW?

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EUDIW (European Digital Identity Wallet) is a major initiative by the European Union to provide citizens, residents and businesses with a secure, unified way of managing their digital identity. It is a mobile application for storing and using official personal information, such as :

• Digital identity validated by the French government
• Official documents (driving license, diplomas, medical certificates, etc.)
• Authentication to access public and private online services

EUDIW's main objective is to simplify digital identification, while guaranteeing a high level of personal data protection.

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ARF: an essential technical framework

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The ARF (Reference Architecture) is the technical framework defined by the European Commission to ensure the interoperability, security and reliability of the digital identity portfolio. It establishes precise standards concerning :

• Digital portfolio structure and components
• Secure communication protocols
• Data protection and RGPD compliance requirements.
• Identity verification and certification mechanisms

Thanks to ARF, member states can develop their own versions of the portfolio, while ensuring Europe-wide compatibility.

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Latest advances and legal adoption

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Since 2024, several important developments have marked the development of the European digital identity wallet:

• Adoption of the legal framework (March 2024): The EU Council validated the introduction of the digital identity wallet, obliging member states to offer this solution by November 2026.
• LSP - Pilot projects (April 2023 - 2025): Four large-scale pilot projects have been launched to test the portfolio in areas such as healthcare, education and financial services.
• Technical standards (November 2024): The European Commission has laid down strict rules concerning the functionalities and certification of the portfolio to ensure secure and consistent deployment.

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Impact and outlook

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EUDIW represents a major change in digital identity management in Europe. Widespread adoption of EUDIW will enable :

• Simplified administrative procedures
• Better protection against fraud and identity theft
• Secure, centralized management of digital identities

European citizens will benefit from a reliable, interoperable tool that meets the highest data protection standards.

The European Digital Identity Portfolio, supported by ARF, is on track for full adoption by 2026. This innovation marks a significant step towards European digital sovereignty and the modernization of digital services across the Union.