Some time ago we knew about the “digital wallet” project that the European Union has in its hands. The idea is that every European citizen can carry with them all kinds of official documents, ID, payments, passwords and more in a single application. This project will be essential for the European Union, as it marks another step towards digitization.
The project officially known as the “European Digital Identity Wallet” will offer us the possibility of carrying out a multitude of tasks in a unified way, from renting a car to verifying our identity. We have recently learned more information about this new way of identification and document management. And it is that this digital wallet is already in testingalthough it will not be until 2024 when it begins to land citizens.
Some users will be able to try it in March
NOBID (‘Nordic-Baltic eID Project’), is the consortium formed by Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Latvia and Norway that is in charge of carrying out the pilot tests of this new system. With the help of various companies from these countries, a an application that will serve as the basis for the creation of this digital wallet. The idea is that from March of this year, the application can be tested by some users.
Among the characteristics of this project, it has been insisted that the application will accept PSD2 payments, being able to make online payments, transfers from account to account, and even accept payments in physical stores. In addition to this, the application would also help us to secure storage of official documents and passwords.
For the creation of the payment infrastructure, we have collaborated with banks from the countries that make up the consortium. These are: DSGV in Germany, DNB and BankID in Norway, Nets in Denmark, Intesa Sanpaolo, PagoPA and ABILab in Italy and Greiðsluveitan in Iceland.
Regarding the technology companies that have collaborated in the project are Thales, iProov, Signicat, RB, Auðkenni, IPZS, Poste Italiane, Intesi Group, InfoCert, FBK and the Latvian State Television and Radio Center. As well as Elkjøp in Norway and REWE-group in Germany.
Although in Spain we are taking our first steps as far as digitization is concerned, such as the Spanish app ‘My Citizen’s Folder’, or the legislation and other aid that paves the way for this need, we still have margin to reach some European countries.
That the project is led by the aforementioned countries of the consortium is no coincidence. For example, in Norway they are proud that 90% of their citizens already have an electronic ID, while in Denmark they boast that it is one of the countries where more citizens have their official documents digitally. In Latvia, digital IDs have been mandatory since 2023, while in Germany they are defended from their banking empire.
The tests of this digital wallet will help the European Parliament decide whether to definitively give the green light to its implementation. For now, the European Council has accepted the proposal, as long as it is based on the eIDAS regulation and the Data Law.