European Business Wallet Detailed for B2G Interactions
The new European Business Wallet is being promoted as a key step toward standardizing secure digital communication across the EU. The wallet is designed to facilitate B2B, B2G, and G2G interactions, including data exchange for public services.
The European Business Wallet is a distinct but complementary tool to the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) for citizens. While the EUDI Wallet is designed for individuals, the Business Wallet caters specifically to the operational needs of companies and other economic operators, addressing functionalities like delegating tasks and managing corporate representation. This initiative is part of a broader "Digital Package" aimed at reducing administrative burdens and harmonizing regulations across the EU. This wallet initiative builds upon the updated eIDAS Regulation, which came into force in May 2024 and established the framework for the EUDI Wallet. The Business Wallet proposal, introduced in November 2025, extends this framework to legal entities, creating a standardized, legally recognized digital identity for businesses across all member states. The goal is to move away from fragmented, paper-based processes and disconnected national portals. Four large-scale pilot projects for the EUDI Wallet were launched in April 2023, involving over 350 public and private entities across 26 Member States, plus Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine. These pilots are testing the wallet in various sectors, including government services, banking, travel, and healthcare, to refine technical specifications and gather feedback on usability before a wider rollout. The insights from these pilots will directly inform the final design and implementation of the wallet ecosystem. For government agencies, the adoption of the Business Wallet is not optional. Public sector bodies will have 24 months from the regulation's entry into force to be able to accept the wallet for core functions like identification and document exchange. This mandate aims to ensure that once a business submits information via the wallet, public bodies cannot request it again through other means, creating a more efficient, "digital-by-default" interaction model. The Business Wallet will function as a secure container for a company's verifiable credentials, such as licenses, permits, and certifications. These cryptographically protected credentials can be time-limited and automatically updated, reducing administrative tasks for both businesses and government agencies. This system is designed to streamline processes like tender submissions and regulatory compliance checks. Interoperability between the citizen and business wallets is a core design principle. For example, an employee will use their personal EUDI Wallet to authenticate themselves, while the company's Business Wallet will provide the legally recognized mandate authorizing them to act on the organization's behalf. This creates a cohesive architecture for trusted digital interactions. The rollout of EUDI wallets is expected in 2026. By 2027, regulated industries requiring strong customer authentication, such as banking and financial services, will be legally required to accept the EUDI wallet as a valid means of identification. This is part of the EU's broader goal to have 80% of citizens using a digital ID solution by 2030.
