Wallet-ready?! Initiative launched to support the introduction of EUDI wallets
Against the backdrop of the upcoming introduction of European Digital Identity Wallets (EUDI wallets), leading associations, federations, institutions and subject matter experts in Germany have come together in the voluntary “Wallet-ready?! Initiative” (https://wallet-ready.de) to prepare for, accompany and support the successful introduction of EUDI wallets. From 7 August 2026, the initiative will offer free German-language webinars (“Wallet Briefings”) to provide prospective wallet officers in interested organisations with solid legal, technical and organisational guidance, enabling them to drive the practical implementation and subsequent use of EUDI wallet use cases.
The EUDI wallets, due to be available in early 2027, are already making their presence felt
In accordance with Article 5a of the eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, all EU Member States must make European Digital Identity Wallets (EUDI wallets) available to their citizens. These EUDI wallets, which are expected to be available from early 2027, will support strong authentication and identification at a high level of security, the issuance and presentation of verifiable evidence (Electronic Attestations of Attributes, EAAs) and, in the future, the creation of qualified electronic signatures (QES). EUDI wallets will bring identity documents and certificates directly onto smartphones and therefore have the potential to support a wide range of use cases across Europe in a user-friendly, secure and privacy-friendly manner.
Useful use cases will determine the acceptance of EUDI wallets
The introduction of EUDI wallets holds enormous potential, particularly in public administration, finance, healthcare, social security, education, industry, skilled crafts, retail, logistics, mobility and the justice system. Rapid and widespread adoption will depend on how users interact with their online identification function (eID) and, above all, on practical use cases that tangibly simplify and enrich citizens’ lives.
For example, identification requirements under anti-money laundering legislation present a major challenge for banks and building societies when onboarding new customers. Here, the new identification method using PID (Person Identification Data) from the EUDI wallet resolves pain points for both customers and institutions. “We at the S-Finanzgruppe are delighted to be able to offer these new possibilities right from the start of 2027, for example as part of the account opening process,” says Oliver Lauer of the German Savings Banks Association (Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.).
“The fundamental mechanisms governing the diffusion and adoption of innovations in social systems have been well researched scientifically,” adds Dr Michael Kubach, Senior Researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO and an expert in socio-economic analysis.
“Against this backdrop, it’s quite clear that the widespread availability of useful use cases will be crucial for the rapid acceptance of the EUDI wallet.”
Use cases can rely on trusted infrastructure and EUDI wallets
Use cases across the various application areas can rely on EU-wide mandatory trust infrastructures and government-certified EUDI wallets. This allows wallet-relying parties to focus on the strategic aspects of digital transformation and on integrating EUDI wallets securely and user-friendly into their business and administrative processes.
As early as 2025, the German Association of Private Health Insurers (PKV Association) launched a Call for Innovation and, together with several partners, demonstrated that the EUDI wallet can significantly simplify administrative processes, such as registering at a medical facility.
“In future, registering at a doctor’s surgery or in a hospital must be as simple as paying at the supermarket,” says Dr Florian Reuther, Director of the German Association of Private Health Insurers (PKV Association). “We therefore wholeheartedly support the ‘Wallet-ready?!’ initiative to actively facilitate the introduction of the EUDI wallet in the healthcare sector. Its integration with the German Health ID delivers major benefits: for patients, the digital wallet offers a modern and accessible way to securely identify themselves in day-to-day healthcare.”
“The EUDI wallet can pave the way for a new era in the insurance industry, because at its core it is the answer to a need that customers have long had: to manage their own data more easily, securely and independently. Less paperwork for customers, greater efficiency for the industry. A mutually beneficial outcome for both sides,” adds Eva Schötz, Partner Manager at FRIDA e.V.
As part of the FACIS project, eco is developing a Digital Contracting Service for federated digital ecosystems. The aim is to enable companies and their authorised representatives to verify their identities using verifiable digital credentials, select services from various providers and conclude contracts digitally without process interruptions. In future, the EUDI wallet can help to reliably verify identities and authorisations and enable contracts to be signed electronically with legal validity. This creates an end-to-end process, from the secure onboarding of a business partner through to the provision of the agreed digital service.
“The EUDI wallet must become more than just a digital ID. Its economic added value becomes apparent where companies can reliably verify identities and powers of representation and conclude contracts across borders. With the Digital Contracting Service in the FACIS project, we are demonstrating how digital identities can be directly linked to specific business processes and European cloud services,” says eco Managing Director Andreas Weiss.
Wallet-ready?! Initiative supports the implementation of use cases for the EUDI wallets
To prepare future wallet-relying parties as effectively as possible for the upcoming introduction of EUDI wallets and make them “wallet-ready”, leading associations, federations, institutions and subject matter experts with a passion for the EUDI wallet have now joined forces in the voluntary Wallet-ready?! initiative to support the development of useful and reusable use cases:
- Association of German Banks
- Association of German Pfandbrief Banks (vdp)
- Association of German Public Banks (VÖB)
- BIPRO e.V.
- org e.V.
- eco – Association of the Internet Industry
- European Health Data Alliance e.V. (EHDA)
- Federal Association for Healthcare IT – bvitg e.V.
- Federal Association of IT SMEs (BITMi)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO
- FRIDA e.V.
- German Association of Private Health Insurers (PKV Association)
- German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)
- German Savings Banks Association (Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.) / Digital Lab
- eIDAS e.V.
- National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR)
- Open Source Business Alliance – Federal Association for Digital Sovereignty e.V.
- Plattform Industrie 4.0
- sphin-X e.V.
In doing so, the Wallet-ready?! initiative aims not only to raise and strengthen public awareness of the upcoming introduction of the EUDI wallet, but above all to train competent wallet officers within interested organisations. After expert training, these wallet officers will be able to drive and support the practical implementation and subsequent use of use cases across the various areas of application.
Guidance and targeted support for the introduction of EUDI wallets
The Wallet-ready?! initiative therefore aims to provide sound legal, technical and organisational guidance on EUDI wallets through thematically focused, free German-language webinars known as Wallet Briefings. These briefings are designed to help designated wallet officers in interested organisations drive the practical implementation and subsequent use of EUDI wallet use cases themselves.
The series kicks off with the first “Wallet Briefing” (in German) on
Friday, 7 August 2026, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM.
The latest overview of currently planned dates can be found at https://wallet-ready.de/termine.html. Registration for the upcoming Wallet Briefings is also available via this website. When registering, participants can submit specific questions, which the participating subject matter experts will answer later.
The Wallet-ready?! initiative is, of course, open to further partners who can provide practical support for the successful roll-out of the EUDI wallet. Feedback, suggestions and constructive proposals for improvement are welcome at any time.
About BIPRO e.V. (https://bipro.net)
BIPRO e.V. was founded in Düsseldorf in 2006 and is a neutral, non-profit association specialising in the development of professional and technical standards. Its aim is to optimise business processes within the insurance and financial services sectors in Germany and Austria. With more than 300 members – including insurers, software companies, intermediaries and many other stakeholders – the association promotes intensive exchange and collaboration on strategic and operational processes. In 2021, BIPRO launched the Open Insurance and End-Customer Processes working group to monitor and comment on EU initiatives and discuss best-practice approaches within the community. Among other things, this working group analyses the impact of the EUDI wallet on the insurance industry, assesses opportunities and risks, and identifies areas for standardisation by BIPRO.
About buergerservice.org e.V. (https://buergerserice.org)
The German online ID function (eID) is one of the world’s leading products for citizens’ digital identity. Its high level of trust is ensured by the interplay of technology, processes, organisation and legislation – all made in Germany. Unlike in many other EU countries, this makes fully digital onboarding to the EUDI wallet possible in Germany. However, few people know how to use the eID. buergerservice.org was founded as a non-profit association to share knowledge about this world-class innovation and bring it to life, thereby promoting the digital common good in society.
About the National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR) (https://bvr.de)
The National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR) is the umbrella organisation for the cooperative banking group in Germany. Its members include all cooperative banks – Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks, Sparda banks, PSD banks, church banks and special-purpose institutions – as well as DZ BANK as the cooperative central bank, companies within the Cooperative Financial Group, including R+V Versicherung, Union Investment and Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall, and the cooperative audit associations. The BVR represents the interests of the Cooperative Financial Group at national, European and international level. It develops and coordinates the joint strategy of the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken and supports its members in legal, regulatory, tax and business management matters. The BVR is also home to the Cooperative Financial Group’s deposit protection scheme – Germany’s oldest bank-related deposit protection system – as well as BVR Institutssicherung GmbH. Furthermore, the BVR keeps its member institutions continuously informed about economic, political and regulatory developments and supports them in implementing these changes.
About the Association of German Banks (https://bankenverband.de/)
The Association of German Banks (Bundesverband deutscher Banken e.V.) was founded in Cologne in 1951 and has been based in Berlin since 1999. As the voice of the private financial sector, it consolidates, shapes and represents the interests of the private banking industry. In doing so, it acts as an intermediary between private banks, policymakers and public authorities, consumers and the business community. Legally speaking, the Banking Association is a registered association. Its governing bodies – the Annual General Meeting, the Assembly of Delegates, the Board and the honorary Presidency Committee – are supported by the full-time Management team. Diversity is a defining feature of the Banking Association. The Banking Association represents around 200 banks and fintechs, as well as regional associations. Within the German Banking Industry Association (DK), it also collaborates with the four other leading associations in the banking sector. Around 170 staff at its offices in Berlin, Brussels and Frankfurt carry out the day-to-day work.
About the Federal Association for Healthcare IT – bvitg e. V. (https://bvitg.de)
bvitg e.V. represents Germany’s leading IT providers in the healthcare sector, whose products are used in up to 90% of outpatient and inpatient care, including rehabilitation, care and social care facilities, depending on the segment. More than 70% of these companies operate internationally. bvitg Service GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of bvitg e.V., organises DMEA – Connecting Digital Health.
About the Federal Association of IT SMEs e.V. (BITMi). (https://bitmi.de)
The Federal Association of IT SMEs (BITMi) is the only IT trade association that exclusively represents the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises. Its members are small and medium-sized IT companies from all sectors of the IT industry, most of which are owner-managed. Within the association, established IT SMEs and start-ups come together to identify common interests. In addition to its direct members, affiliated associations have also joined forces under the umbrella of BITMi. BITMi represents more than 2,500 IT companies, making it the largest trade association exclusively for IT SMEs in Germany.
About the Association of German Public Banks (VÖB) (https://www.voeb.de/)
The Association of German Public Banks (VÖB) is an umbrella organisation for the German banking sector. It represents the interests of 64 members, including the Landesbanken and the federal and state development banks. VÖB member institutions have total assets of around EUR 3,100 billion. With a market share of over 32 per cent in corporate lending, VÖB member banks are a key pillar of the German economy. They are leaders in public-sector financing: their market share in lending to the German federal government, the federal states and local authorities stands at over 66 per cent. The VÖB institutions are also drivers of sustainable transformation. More than 50 per cent of the green bonds issued by banks in Germany since 2019 have come from VÖB member banks. In 2025, the development banks within the VÖB provided development loans totalling just under EUR 80 billion. The VÖB is the only banking association that acts as an employers’ organisation for its member institutions. Tasks relating to collective bargaining, in particular the conclusion of collective agreements, are carried out by the Collective Bargaining Association of Public Banks. It comprises 48 member institutions with over 65,000 employees.
About the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) (https://dihk.de)
The 79 Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) are united under the umbrella of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). Their shared goal is to create the best conditions for successful business. At federal and European level, the DIHK champions the interests of the entire commercial sector in dealings with policymakers, public authorities and the general public. Several million companies from the retail, industrial and service sectors are statutory members of an IHK – ranging from kiosk owners to DAX-listed corporations. The DIHK and the IHKs thus serve as a platform for the diverse interests of companies. They consolidate these interests through a formalised procedure based on statutory provisions in order to represent the overall interests of the commercial sector and contribute to shaping economic policy. Furthermore, the DIHK coordinates the network of 150 foreign chambers of commerce, delegations and representative offices of the German business community in 93 countries.
About the German Savings Banks Association (Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.) / Digital Lab (https://digitallabor.berlin)
The Digital Lab is part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (SFG) and acts as a central interface between the SFG, the public and policymakers. Together with ministries and public authorities, the “real-world lab” actively shapes European digital policy through technology testing and validation under real-world conditions. Its mission is not just to demand digital sovereignty, but to build it.
About eco – Association of the Internet Industry (https://eco.de)
With around 1,000 member companies, eco (www.eco.de) is Europe’s leading association of the Internet industry. Since 1995, eco has played a key role in shaping the Internet, promoting new technologies, creating the necessary framework conditions and representing its members’ interests in political forums and international bodies.
eco has offices in Cologne, Berlin and Brussels. eco is committed to a high-performance, reliable and trustworthy ecosystem of digital infrastructures and services, and has stood for an Internet with responsibility for 30 years. eco initiated the Gaia-X Federation Services (GXFS) project, which gave rise to the XFSC Toolbox, now maintained by the Eclipse XFSC Project (Cross Federation Services Components).
About the European Health Data Alliance e. V. (EHDA) (https://ehda-ev.eu/)
EHDA e.V. is committed to an open, trustworthy and Europe-wide connected health data ecosystem. Its aim is to make health data accessible in a secure and responsible manner in order to promote innovation, strengthen research and achieve sustainable improvements in healthcare provision. Acting as a bridge between stakeholders from academia, industry, healthcare and politics, EHDA e.V. helps to overcome isolated data silos and create a connected European health data space that enables cross-border collaboration and delivers societal value.
About the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO (https://www.hci.iao.fraunhofer.de/)
The Identity Management team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO designs trustworthy digital identity ecosystems for business, public administration and society. A particular focus is currently on the EUDI wallet and the European Business Wallet, as well as their integration into sovereign European trust infrastructures. For many years, the researchers have worked on digital identities and credentials, trust services, the user-friendly design of security and data protection solutions, digital sovereignty and interoperable identity solutions. To this end, the team combines technical, organisational, legal and economic perspectives and supports public institutions, companies and technology providers in developing and introducing future-proof identity and data ecosystems. As a partner in national and European research and innovation projects, Fraunhofer IAO contributes to secure and trustworthy digital transformation in Europe.
About FRIDA e.V. (https://freeinsurancedata.de/)
FRIDA e.V. is Germany’s independent open insurance initiative and develops open standards for the insurance and financial sectors. The focus is on open, standardised B2B and B2C interfaces through which insurers, intermediaries and other market players can exchange data securely, transparently and interoperably. Based on an open-source approach, FRIDA works with its members to develop practical use cases from the perspective of customers, insurers and intermediaries. Together with partners from the insurance industry, insurtechs and other players in digital ecosystems, FRIDA is laying the foundations for a connected open-insurance and open-finance world.
About go.eIDAS e.V. (https://go.eID.AS)
The non-profit organisation go.eIDAS e.V. was founded by leading European associations, projects and expert organisations in the field of electronic identity (eID) and trust. It aims to support the practical implementation of eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the Single Market, and to create an open, inclusive, secure, privacy-friendly and trustworthy ecosystem centred on European Digital Identity Wallets (EUDI wallets). go.eIDAS e.V. welcomes all interested organisations and individuals who wish to constructively support the introduction of EUDI wallets in Europe and promote their practical use.
About the Open Source Business Alliance – Federal Association for Digital Sovereignty e.V. (https://osb-alliance.de/)
The Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA) – Federal Association for Digital Sovereignty e.V. represents the open-source industry in Germany and has more than 270 member companies. As Europe’s largest open-source association, the OSBA is committed to sustainably establishing the central importance of open-source software and open standards in public awareness as key foundations for successful digital transformation.
To ensure control over one’s own data and digital infrastructure, the OSBA aims to establish open source as the standard in public procurement as well as in research and business funding. This is because open source and open standards are essential foundations for digital sovereignty, innovation and security, and thus the answer to one of the greatest challenges of our time.
About Plattform Industrie 4.0 (https://www.plattform-i40.de/)
Plattform Industrie 4.0 is the central network for shaping digital transformation across large parts of the German economy. It brings together hundreds of stakeholders from business, academia, politics and society to promote practical concepts for connected, intelligent value chains on a broad scale. Together, the network is committed to permanently raising awareness of the pioneering significance of the Industrial AI Stack – from sovereign data spaces to trustworthy, agent-based applications – for the competitive and secure use of AI. The platform aims to establish the Industrial AI Stack and decentralised digital identities as standards in economic ecosystems. A sovereign Industrial AI Stack is an essential foundation for digital sovereignty, resilience and innovative strength in global competition, and thus a response to one of the technological challenges of our time.
About sphin-X e.V. (https://sphin-x.de/)
sphin-X (Secure Platform for Health Information Exchange) is a cross-vendor initiative and registered association comprising more than 40 companies, associations and institutions in the healthcare sector. As a decentralised, open and interoperable health data ecosystem, the initiative aims to overcome existing data silos and connect industry stakeholders on an equal footing. sphin-X’s mission is to create the conditions for the secure, transparent and data-sovereign use of health data, based on clear rules, reliable standards and an independent governance framework – delivering measurable added value for research, healthcare provision and patients. To implement this project and ensure trustworthy integration into the health data ecosystem, digital identities for legal entities must be widely used. Only then can companies, healthcare providers and institutions be reliably authenticated and seamlessly integrated. Against this backdrop, sphin-X is committed to specifically supporting and accelerating the widespread introduction of EUDI wallets and realising the associated potential.
About the German Association of Private Health Insurers (PKV Association) (https://www.pkv.de/)
The PKV Association represents the general interests of private health and long-term care insurance, as well as those of its member companies. As a co-shareholder in the digital agency gematik, the PKV Association is committed to a future-proof and secure digital healthcare system. Its focus is on a policyholder-friendly approach and user-friendly technologies. This app-based approach, which ranges from checking in at the doctor’s surgery to cross-border e-prescriptions, aligns with the EUDI wallet specifications and consolidates the care process within the digital wallet.
About the Association of German Pfandbrief Banks (vdp) (https://www.pfandbrief.de/)
As the representative of its member institutions, the Association of German Pfandbrief Banks (vdp) represents the interests of Pfandbrief banks vis-à-vis national and European decision-making bodies, as well as a wider professional audience. As the umbrella organisation for German Pfandbrief banks, the vdp also supports its members with highly specialised business solutions. The vdp’s expertise is tailored to the specific requirements of Pfandbrief issuers, namely Pfandbriefe and the eligible lending business. The vdp promotes the economic interests of its member institutions through targeted lobbying in capital market and tax policy, as well as in all policy areas relevant to the Pfandbrief business. It also advises its member institutions on regulatory matters and represents them in dealings with national and European supervisory authorities. Within the framework of group governance, the association’s committees exchange, analyse and develop information and experience from member institutions into market standards. Furthermore, the vdp offers its member institutions business solutions that support the specific lending and issuance activities of Pfandbrief banks. The business activities of vdp members benefit from the association’s recognised expertise, extensive network and well-established communication tools.
