What happened
Finland's national legislation for European Digital Identity Wallets will come into effect on October 1, 2026. This new law complements the EU's amended eIDAS Regulation, which oversees cross-border electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions. The wallets will be usable for both online and in-person services across the EU, allowing users to control their personal information and decide what data to share.
According to Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, digital wallets will make using EU services easier and more secure by giving people better control over their personal information. The Finnish government will provide a digital wallet, and private companies can also offer wallets if they meet the set requirements.
A digital identification solution will be included in wallet applications, granted based on a valid passport or identification card. This solution is expected to become available in 2027 and will provide a practical method for proving one's identity. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency will supervise the provision of digital wallets and establish a register for services that accept them.
The EU is also working on common legislation for European Business Wallets to facilitate information exchange between companies and authorities. Additionally, amendments to the national act governing strong identification will enter into force, improving the security of national strong identification.
