eIDAS 2.0: what businesses need to know to comply with European digital identity

eIDAS 2.0: a new framework for digital identity in Europe

On 20 May 2024, the revised version of the eIDAS (Electronic Identification And Trust Services) regulation — known as “eIDAS 2.0” — officially came into force.

This revision marks an important step for digital identity in Europe: it introduces the concept of a European digital wallet, the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), and requires Member States to make it available by the end of 2026.

For businesses — regardless of their sector (finance, fintech, insurance, insurance, online services, e-commerce...) — eIDAS 2.0 is changing the game: authentication, identity verification, electronic signatures, electronic signatures, onboarding, compliance, everything must be redesigned.

Main obligations and challenges for businesses

European interoperability and wallet acceptance

• All Member States must issue an eIDAS 2.0 compliant digital wallet. This wallet will allow citizens and businesses to use a unique and recognized electronic identity throughout the Union.
• Businesses will have to accept identities issued via the EUDI Wallet as valid proof of identity for access to their services, transactions, signature, etc. This involves adapting the onboarding, authentication and documentary verification systems.

Qualified trust services & remote identity verification

The new framework reinforces the requirements for the security, authenticity and reliability of trust services (signature, timestamp, stamp, certificates, identity verification).
Businesses that perform remote onboarding (customers, users, partners) will need to use compliant providers or solutions — capable of guaranteeing a sufficient level of assurance for electronic identification.

Global regulatory compliance and legal certainty

With eIDAS 2.0, digital identity and trusted services become a European legal framework. This provides businesses with a clear framework for:

• the contractual electronic signature,
• the authentication of users or customers,
• cross-border identity verification,
• the traceability of transactions,
• regulatory compliance (KYC/KYB, identity verification, fight against fraud, etc.).

Simplifying processes and user experience

Thanks to a unique and interoperable wallet, businesses can greatly simplify their processes:

• smoother onboarding,
• less friction for the user,
• reduction of the time and costs associated with identity verification and trust services,
• better integration with modern digital flows (signature, access to services, payment, documentary verification).

Why businesses need to act now

• The eIDAS 2.0 framework is applicable from 2024.
• Member States are required to issue an EUDI Wallet by the end of 2026.
• Several European identity verification providers have already started to certify themselves as compliant — allowing businesses to prepare for it today.
• Adopting eIDAS 2.0 and the European wallet gives a competitive advantage: compliance, trust, fluidity, risk reduction, cross-border accessibility.

What a business needs to do to comply with eIDAS 2.0

1. Conduct an internal audit of all processes related to identity, authentication, signature, customer/partner verification, onboarding.
2. Identify identity touchpoints (KYC, KYB, signature, service access, payments, legal documents...) who could benefit from an eIDAS wallet or trusted service.
3. Select certified service providers or compatible with eIDAS 2.0/EUDI Wallet/trusted services. The company must ensure that the provider can deliver compliant electronic identities, digital evidence, signatures, or remote documentary checks.
4. Adapting internal systems & user flows : interfaces, backend, onboarding processes, UX — to integrate the EUDI Wallet and electronic identities as a means of authentication or verification.
5. Train internal teams (IT, compliance, legal, product): explain the impacts of the new framework, best practices, constraints, data management and security.
6. Implement regulatory monitoring : follow the implementing decrees, technical standards, certified service providers, developments in implementation (wallet, trust services).

Opportunities & benefits for businesses

• ✅ Increased trust from users and partners : standardized electronic identity reassures, especially for sensitive services (finance, delegations, signature, onboarding).
• ✅ Reduced friction and operational costs : less paperwork, less complexity, smooth digital flows.
• ✅ Simplified access to cross-border services : European interoperability facilitates operations in several EU countries.
• ✅ Security and compliance : clear legal framework, qualified trust services, traceability and reduction of the risks of fraud or identity theft.
• ✅ Digital competitive advantage : early adoption of a modern infrastructure, early compliance, adaptability to new uses (wallet, digital first, remote onboarding...).

Risks & challenges to anticipate

• The obligation for Member States to deploy wallets before the end of 2026 — the timetable remains tight. Some jurisdictions may delay or customize implementation.
• Need to ensure the technical and regulatory validity of the chosen service providers (certification, audit, eIDAS 2.0 compliance).
• Adaptation of internal systems: requires investments, product changes, tests, workflow changes.
• Team training and awareness: to ensure good adoption, avoid mistakes, manage compliance and security.

Conclusion

The eIDAS 2.0 framework represents a major transformation for digital identity and trust services in Europe. For businesses, it is a strategic change : compliance, opportunities, security, expansion, simplification of processes — but also a challenge in terms of adaptation, investments and governance.

Any business that wants to remain competitive, reliable, and compliant should Anticipate today the impact of eIDAS 2.0 — in particular through the adoption of the EUDI Wallet, the establishment of qualified trust services, and the adjustment of its onboarding, authentication and verification processes.

For a player like Dataleon — specialized in identity verification and compliance — this framework offers a strong opportunity to position your solutions as compatible, secure, compliant and ready for European digital identity.