Thomas Moretti, axelity ag
Co-founder and Managing Director of axelity ag | Product strategist of the Swiss signing solution actaSIGN®
eIDAS 2.0 — What Changes for Businesses in the DACH Region?
In May 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 entered into force — commonly known as eIDAS 2.0. It represents the most comprehensive revision of the European framework for electronic identification and trust services since 2014. For businesses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it brings far-reaching changes — not only technical, but also strategic.
What Is eIDAS 2.0?
The original eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 established a unified framework for electronic signatures, seals, timestamps and cross-border recognition of electronic identities across the EU from 2016 onwards. It worked — but had weaknesses: adoption fell short of expectations, cross-border identification was cumbersome, and the Regulation did not cover important new use cases.
eIDAS 2.0 addresses these gaps. The revised Regulation significantly expands the framework and introduces the EU Digital Identity Wallet as an ambitious new instrument.
Key Changes Compared to eIDAS 1.0
1. EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet)
The centrepiece of eIDAS 2.0: by end of 2026, every EU member state must provide its citizens and residents with at least one digital identity wallet. This wallet is designed to:
- Store government-verified identity data (name, date of birth, nationality)
- Manage electronic attestations of attributes (professional qualifications, driving licences, diplomas)
- Enable qualified electronic signatures directly from within the wallet
- Support selective disclosure — users share only the data required for a specific purpose
The technical specification (Architecture Reference Framework) is being continuously updated by the European Commission. Pilot projects in several member states have been running since 2023.
2. Expanded Trust Services
eIDAS 2.0 introduces new qualified trust services:
- Electronic attestation of attributes: Verified evidence of a person's characteristics (e.g. professional qualifications, association memberships)
- Qualified electronic archiving: Long-term preservation of electronic documents with legal assurance
- Electronic ledgers: For securing data integrity and chronological ordering
3. Free QES for Natural Persons
A significant detail: via the EUDI Wallet, natural persons will be able to create qualified electronic signatures free of charge — at least for non-professional purposes. This could substantially accelerate QES adoption.
4. Mandatory Acceptance
From end of 2027, certain private-sector actors must accept the EUDI Wallet — including very large online platforms (as defined by the Digital Services Act), financial service providers for customer identification, and telecommunications providers.
Impact on Germany and Austria
For businesses in Germany and Austria as EU member states, eIDAS 2.0 applies directly. The key consequences:
Identification Becomes Easier
The EUDI Wallet enables standardised electronic identification across borders. For businesses currently running complex KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, the wallet can bring considerable simplification.
QES Becomes More Accessible
When natural persons can create QES via their wallet, the barrier to using qualified signatures drops significantly. Businesses should prepare their processes for the likelihood that business partners and customers will increasingly want to sign with QES.
New Compliance Requirements
Businesses that fall under the mandatory acceptance obligation must be able to accept EUDI Wallets by end of 2027. This particularly affects banks, insurers and large online platforms.
Attestations of Attributes Open New Possibilities
Verified professional qualifications, commercial register extracts or powers of attorney can in future be checked electronically and across borders — an advantage for businesses with international relationships.
Impact on Switzerland
Switzerland is not an EU member — eIDAS 2.0 does not apply directly. Nevertheless, the Regulation is highly relevant for Swiss businesses:
Cross-Border Business
Swiss businesses working with EU partners need to understand the new standards. When a German business partner verifies their identity via the EUDI Wallet in the future, the Swiss counterpart should be able to handle this.
The Swiss E-ID Is Coming
Switzerland is pursuing its own approach with the E-ID. On 28 September 2025, the Federal Act on Electronic Identity (BGEID) was approved in a popular referendum with 50.39% voting Yes — after an earlier, privately operated version was rejected in March 2021.
Key features of the Swiss E-ID:
- State-operated: The E-ID is issued by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) — not by private companies.
- Decentralised and privacy-first: Based on Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) principles. Data is stored exclusively on the user's device.
- Free and voluntary: Available to anyone with a Swiss identity card, passport or valid residence permit.
- Planned launch: December 2026 (originally summer 2026, delayed due to additional security measures recommended by the Swiss Federal Audit Office).
- Delivered via the swiyu wallet app (iOS/Android) — "Swiss Identity for You".
The timing is noteworthy: the Swiss E-ID and the EU's EUDI Wallet are expected to become available at roughly the same time (end of 2026). Technical interoperability between the two systems has not yet been secured, but the parallel rollout creates long-term potential for cross-border collaboration.
Mutual Recognition Remains Open
On 29 January 2025, the Federal Council instructed DETEC and the FDFA to draw up a negotiating mandate for mutual QES recognition with the EU. Whether and when an agreement will be reached remains to be seen. Until then, using a dual-listed Trust Service Provider — such as Swisscom Trust Services — remains the safest path for cross-border signatures.
How actaSIGN Is Preparing
actaSIGN is built on Swisscom Trust Services as its Trust Service Provider. Swisscom is recognised both under Swiss ZertES and on the EU Trusted List. For the implementation of eIDAS 2.0, this means:
- EUDI Wallet integration: Swisscom Trust Services is working on connecting to the EUDI Wallet for certificate issuance and identity verification.
- Existing signatures remain valid: Qualified electronic signatures created with actaSIGN today retain their validity under eIDAS 2.0.
- Expanded trust services: Once Swisscom offers new services such as qualified attestations of attributes, these can be integrated into actaSIGN.
What Businesses Should Do Now
1. Take stock
Review which contracts and processes are still paper-based. eIDAS 2.0 makes digitalisation easier — but only if you know where you stand.
2. Review signature levels
Ensure you are using the right signature level for each use case. As QES becomes more widely available through the EUDI Wallet, higher signature levels will be more accessible.
3. Check your provider's roadmap
Ask your e-signature provider how they will support eIDAS 2.0 and the EUDI Wallet. Providers whose TSP is on the EU Trusted List are best positioned.
4. Plan internal training
The EUDI Wallet will be relevant for employees, business partners and customers. Plan internal training so your team understands and can use the new possibilities.
5. Prioritise cross-border processes
Businesses with DACH-wide relationships benefit most from the new standards. Start with the processes that currently cause the greatest media breaks.
Conclusion
eIDAS 2.0 is more than a regulatory update — it is a paradigm shift. The EUDI Wallet makes electronic identification and qualified signatures accessible to everyone. For businesses in the DACH region, this means: those already using an eIDAS-compliant signing solution are well positioned for the future. Those still hesitating should act now.