The European framework for electronic identification, authentication, and trust services — updated to enable secure digital identity wallets and strengthen qualified certificate requirements.
The eIDAS 2.0 Regulation (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is the cornerstone of the European Union's digital identity strategy. Building on the original 2014 framework, this major revision introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet and significantly expands the scope of regulated trust services.
For organizations operating in the EU, eIDAS 2.0 has direct implications on how digital certificates are issued, managed, and validated. The regulation establishes legally binding standards for electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and website authentication — all of which rely on a robust PKI infrastructure.
The updated regulation also introduces new categories of qualified trust services, including electronic attestation of attributes and electronic ledger management, further expanding the role of certificates in the European digital ecosystem.
Organizations must use qualified certificates from EU-recognized Trust Service Providers for legally binding electronic signatures with cross-border validity.
Qualified Web Authentication Certificates (QWACs) must be recognized by browsers, ensuring a higher level of trust for website identity verification.
Member states must offer citizens a digital identity wallet for secure cross-border identification, relying on PKI for authentication and credential verification.
Qualified electronic seals and timestamps must ensure data integrity and origin authentication, requiring robust certificate lifecycle management.
TSPs must undergo regular conformity assessments and maintain qualified status, with strict requirements for certificate issuance, revocation, and management.
All qualified trust services and electronic identification must be recognized across EU member states, requiring standardized certificate formats and validation.
Original regulation establishing the framework for electronic identification and trust services across the EU.
European Commission proposes a major revision to address digital identity wallets and updated trust services.
The updated regulation is officially adopted, introducing the European Digital Identity Wallet and new qualified trust services.
EU member states must provide at least one European Digital Identity Wallet to their citizens.
All provisions become fully enforceable, including mandatory acceptance by large platforms and public services.
eIDAS 2.0 directly impacts every organization that issues, manages, or relies on digital certificates within the EU. Here are the critical areas:
TSPs must maintain rigorous certificate lifecycle processes — from issuance to revocation — with full audit trails and conformity assessments.
Browsers must recognize and display QWACs, creating new requirements for certificate transparency and validation across the web ecosystem.
The EU Digital Identity Wallet relies on PKI for secure credential issuance, storage, and verification — creating massive new certificate management demands at scale.
Certificate formats, validation protocols, and trust lists must be standardized across all 27 member states, requiring automated management at unprecedented scale.
Complete certificate inventory — Discover and track all certificates across your infrastructure, ensuring full visibility for eIDAS compliance audits.
Automated lifecycle management — Automate certificate issuance, renewal, and revocation to meet TSP operational requirements with zero manual overhead.
Policy enforcement — Enforce certificate policies that align with eIDAS qualified certificate requirements, including algorithm standards and validity periods.
Audit-ready reporting — Generate comprehensive compliance reports and audit trails that demonstrate adherence to eIDAS trust service requirements.
