Coordination group appointed to influence preparation of the European digital identity

The Ministry of Finance has appointed a coordination group tasked with promoting Finland's position in the preparation of the European digital identity. The term of the coordination group will run until 31 July 2023.

In June 2021, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on a European digital identity. In practice, the European digital identity will be a digital wallet application. In future, all EU citizens, residents, and businesses in the EU will be able to use a wallet application to provide proof of their identity and personal data. The application will be useable in electronic services and in-person services provided by both the public and private sectors.

Finland is actively participating in the consideration of the proposal in the EU

In line with Parliament’s position, Finland supports the creation of the proposed legislative framework for a European digital identity wallet application. Finland would decide itself how to implement the proposed wallet application and how to fulfil the obligations set out in the proposed regulation. The legislative proposal is extensive and will affect both the public and private sectors. The EU has begun the consideration of the proposal, and Finland is actively participating in this process. 

The objective of the coordination group that has now been appointed is to influence the preparation of the European digital identity in a timely manner in EU institutions and in cooperation with other Member States so that the outcome will be in line with Finland’s objectives. The group is tasked with preparing and reconciling national views and opinions on the contents of the legislative proposal as a whole, including the technical requirements of the wallet application. 
The coordination group consists of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency. The group will also hear external experts, such as private-sector actors. 

Ministry of Finance currently preparing a digital identity card

The Ministry of Finance is currently leading the development of a digital identity card, which is a digital version of a document issued by an authority and which will be introduced alongside traditional passports and identity cards. One of the objectives set for the development of a digital identity card is to enable cross-border electronic identification from Finland in services provided by other Member States in accordance with the requirements of the proposed regulation. 
It will be possible to later expand Finland’s digital identity card into the digital wallet required by the proposed EU regulation. The EU digital wallet will also contain other permit information, such as information on driving licences or rights to study. These plans will be specified as the preparation of the digital identity card and EU preparation proceeds.
Webinar: status of the preparation of the eIDAS Regulation

A status update on the preparation of the eIDAS Regulation will be held as an open webinar using Microsoft Teams on Thursday 10 March 2022 at 10.00–11.00.  The update will cover current news regarding the preparation of the eIDAS Regulation and will include time to present questions and comments to the people participating in the preparatory work. Participants must register for the event in advance.

Inquiries:
Laura Kolinen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Finance, tel. + 358 29 553 0403