Germany advances EU Digital Identity Wallet despite EU rollout delays

Germany is pressing ahead with the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), allocating €79.3 million through 2026 and targeting a January 2027 launch. The government is expanding hackathons, sandboxes and pilot projects to build the ecosystem, even as less than half of EU member states are on track for the same deadline.

Experts warn that the inaugural version will only support identification and credential presentation, lacking qualified electronic signatures, pseudonymous logins and payment authorisations. Critics, including a panel organised by the opposition Left Party, have raised concerns over transparency, post‑quantum readiness and data‑security risks linked to the signed‑data credential model. An independent study commissioned by the national consumer federation highlighted potential tracking risks if credential‑receiving parties collude.

Despite these issues, German officials argue that agility is essential and reject characterisations of chaotic development, insisting the wallet will meet the minimum European requirements while further functionalities are slated for later releases.