What Is eIDAS?

eIDAS is the EU regulation on electronic identification and trust services that provides the legal framework from which digital identities and electronic signatures can be legally provided across all member states. The eIDAS regulation transforms how businesses and citizens interact digitally across the EU. It creates a single standard that lets businesses verify identities and authenticate documents securely across Europe.

Key components of the eIDAS regulation

The eIDAS framework encompasses several critical areas that work together to create a comprehensive digital trust ecosystem across Europe.

Electronic identification

Under eIDAS, each EU member state can notify electronic identification schemes that meet specific security and reliability standards. These schemes can form eID,enablingbling citizens and businesses to use their national digital identities across borders, whether accessing government services or conducting private transactions.

The regulation establishes three levels of assurance: substantial, high, and low. Each level corresponds to different security requirements and use cases, allowing organisations to choose appropriate authentication methods based on their risk assessment and regulatory obligations.

Electronic signatures and seals

eIDAS recognises three types of electronic signatures: simple, advanced, and qualified electronic signatures. Qualified electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures, enabling the execution of fully digital contracts and the authentication of documents across all member states. .

Electronic seals serve a similar function for organisations, providing a way to authenticate the origin and integrity of electronic documents. This capability is particularly valuable for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions within the EU.

Trust services

The regulation covers various trust services, including time stamping, electronic delivery services, and website authentication certificates. These services ensure the integrity, authenticity, and non-repudiation of digital transactions and communications. Trust service providers must meet strict security standards to become eIDAS-qualified.

eIDAS 2.0: The next evolution

The European Commission has proposed significant updates to the original eIDAS regulation, commonly referred to as eIDAS 2.0. These changes aim to address emerging digital needs and technological developments since the original regulation's implementation.

European Digital Identity Wallets

Perhaps the most significant innovation in eIDAS 2.0 is the introduction of European Digital Identity Wallets. These secure digital tools will allow citizens to store and present their identity credentials, qualifications, and other personal data across the EU.

The wallets will enable users to control their personal information while providing businesses with reliable identity verification capabilities. This development promises to streamline customer onboarding processes while enhancing privacy protection.

Enhanced security requirements

eIDAS 2.0 introduces stricter security standards for trust service providers and electronic identification schemes. These requirements reflect evolving cybersecurity threats and technological capabilities, ensuring that digital trust services remain robust against sophisticated attacks.

Impact on businesses and compliance

For organisations operating in the EU, eIDAS compliance is essential for conducting secure digital business across member states. The regulation impacts various aspects of business operations, including customer onboarding, document management, and cross-border transactions.

Customer identification and onboarding

eIDAS-compliant electronic identification schemes can significantly streamline customer verification processes. Businesses can rely on government-backed digital identities to verify customer information, reducing onboarding friction while maintaining high security standards.

This capability is particularly valuable for financial services, where Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements demand robust identity verification. From mid 2027, eIDAS will provide a standardised approach that meets regulatory expectations across all EU jurisdictions.

Document authentication and integrity

The regulation's electronic signature and seal provisions enable businesses to authenticate documents and ensure their integrity throughout their lifecycle. This capability supports compliance with various regulatory requirements while reducing costs associated with paper-based processes.

Cross-border operations

For businesses operating across multiple EU member states, eIDAS provides a unified framework that eliminates the complexity of navigating different national digital identity systems. This standardisation reduces compliance costs and operational complexity while enabling seamless cross-border service delivery.

Implementation challenges and best practices

Successfully implementing eIDAS compliance requires careful planning and consideration of various technical and operational factors.

Technical integration

Organisations must ensure their systems can properly validate eIDAS-compliant electronic identities and signatures. This requirement often involves integrating with trust service providers and implementing appropriate validation mechanisms.

The technical complexity can vary significantly depending on the level of assurance required and the specific trust services being used. Organisations should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine appropriate implementation approaches.

User experience considerations

While eIDAS provides robust security capabilities, organisations must balance security requirements with user experience expectations. Complex authentication processes can create friction that discourages customer adoption, particularly in competitive markets.

Successful implementations focus on seamless integration of eIDAS capabilities into existing user journeys, minimising additional steps while maintaining security standards.

Ongoing compliance monitoring

eIDAS compliance is not a one-time implementation but requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Trust service providers may update their services, member states may modify their notification schemes, and the regulation itself continues to evolve.

Organisations should establish processes for monitoring regulatory changes and ensuring their implementations remain compliant over time.

eIDAS FAQs

What is eIDAS certificate?

An eIDAS certificate is a digital certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider that enables secure electronic identification, authentication, or digital signing under the eIDAS regulation. These certificates come in various forms, including qualified certificates for electronic signatures, website authentication certificates, and electronic seal certificates for organisations.

How to get eIDAS cerificate?

To obtain an eIDAS certificate, you must apply through a qualified trust service provider (QTSP) that appears on the EU Trusted Lists maintained by member states. The application process typically involves identity verification, where individuals must provide official identification documents and sometimes appear in person or via video call.

For organisations seeking electronic seal certificates, additional business registration documents are required. Once the identity is verified and the application is approved, the QTSP issues your certificate, which can then be used for legally binding digital signatures and secure authentication across all EU member states.

What is the difference between eIDAS and EUDI?

eIDAS is the EU regulation that sets the rules for digital identity and trust services, while EUDI is the actual digital wallet that citizens will use to store and show their identity credentials.

The key difference lies in their scope and function: eIDAS covers the entire ecosystem of digital trust services, including electronic signatures, seals, and various authentication methods, while EUDI focuses specifically on providing citizens with a unified digital wallet for identity management.