Tuesday, July 15, 2025
In a first step towards making secure travelling and protection of privacy the new standard across Europe, Greece will introduce the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) by no later than November 2026. This state-of-the-art initiative will make secure journeying or electronic interaction a matter of paperless truth for EU citizens. As an application based on smartphone, the EUDI Wallet will simplify the processes related to travel, tooffer privacy in transactions and allow for a digital signature, in order to ensure speed and security throughout the process.
As Greece prepares for its debut with the EUDI Wallet, it promises to usher in a new era where citizens can store, manage, and share their identity documents like passports, national ID cards, and driver’s licenses digitally. This wallet will not only allow for secure online transactions but will also support legally binding digital signatures, providing individuals with greater convenience and control over their personal information.
Key Features of the EUDI Wallet: Security and Control at Your Fingertips
The EUDI Wallet is set to be a game-changer for EU citizens, offering a solution that prioritizes both convenience and privacy. The wallet operates using Verifiable Credentials technology, ensuring that identity documents are authenticated without compromising the user’s privacy. All personal data is securely stored on the user’s device, making it resistant to unauthorized access. Importantly, no data is uploaded to the cloud or a server, so the risk of data breaches is minimized.
This technology ensures that only the legitimacy of the authority issuing the data is verified, not the data itself. This means users’ personal information remains protected while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of their documents. The EUDI Wallet is designed with user control at its core—individuals decide which information to share, with whom, and for what purposes. This transparent approach also allows users to track how their data is being used at any time.
One of the most notable aspects of the EUDI Wallet is its emphasis on data minimization. Unlike existing digital tools like Greece’s Gov.gr Wallet, which focus on a broader range of services, the EUDI Wallet limits the sharing of personal data to the essential information required for specific services. Whether it’s for travel, healthcare, or financial services, this model ensures that only the most relevant details are disclosed.
Streamlining Travel: EUDI Wallet’s Impact on Aviation and Maritime Journeys
The introduction of the EUDI Wallet in Greece promises to bring significant improvements to the travel experience. In the aviation sector, the wallet will expedite check-in, security, and boarding processes by allowing biometric verification. This means passengers can bypass lengthy queues and enjoy a smoother, faster journey through airports. Thessaloniki Airport will be the first to pilot the biometric verification system, providing valuable insights into the wallet’s practical applications.
In addition to aviation, the EUDI Wallet is also being trialed in maritime travel, specifically with Greece’s Fast Ferries. This initiative is set to streamline ferry boarding processes, making it quicker and more efficient for passengers. By leveraging biometric and digital ID verification, passengers can board their ferries with ease, eliminating the need for paper tickets and reducing the overall time spent at the terminal.
The rollout of the EUDI Wallet will also facilitate smoother travel across borders within the EU. By integrating national identity documents, passports, and travel tickets into a single, easily accessible digital format, travelers will have their information readily available for security checks and border crossings. This all-in-one approach reduces the reliance on physical documents, improving security and lowering the risk of fraud.
The Role of the EUDI Wallet in Enhancing Privacy and Trust
One of the most compelling features of the EUDI Wallet is its commitment to privacy. As digital tools increasingly permeate everyday life, safeguarding personal data has become a major concern for users across the globe. The EUDI Wallet directly addresses these concerns by ensuring that users maintain full control over their information. By allowing individuals to decide when and how their personal data is shared, the wallet empowers users to protect their privacy while still enjoying the convenience of digital services.
The wallet’s design aligns with Europe’s stringent data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which emphasizes transparency, data security, and user control. With the EUDI Wallet, Greece and the broader EU are taking important steps toward creating a more secure and privacy-conscious digital landscape for their citizens.
A Step Toward a More Integrated Europe
The EUDI Wallet is not just about convenience; it’s also about fostering a more integrated Europe. By providing a universal digital identity solution, the wallet facilitates seamless access to services across EU member states. Whether it’s accessing healthcare, participating in online banking, or traveling across borders, the EUDI Wallet simplifies the process while maintaining the security of personal data.
For Greece, the launch of the EUDI Wallet represents a significant leap forward in its digital transformation efforts. As the country continues to integrate technology into public services, the EUDI Wallet offers a vision of a future where citizens have greater control over their data and interactions with the state. This is a critical step in making digital services more accessible and user-friendly for all EU citizens, particularly those in remote areas or those less familiar with digital tools.
Conclusion: A New Era of Travel and Digital Identity Management
The European Digital Identity Wallet represents a new chapter in both travel and digital identity management. With the EUDI Wallet, EU citizens will experience greater convenience, security, and control over their personal information. As the pilot programs in Greece for aviation and maritime travel illustrate, the wallet’s potential to streamline services and improve the travel experience is immense.
Greeks to benefit from state-of-the-art digital tool as of November 2026, enabling them to access the innovative system of the digital age and making transactions to various public and private service providers, in a more simple, quick and safe way. TheEUDI Wallet isn’t just about improving individual experiences – it’s about creating a more connected and digitally unified Europe – where being able to access and use a service easily also means not having to compromise on your privacy.
The EUDI Wallet is a novelty for not only Greece but for the EU too. By changing the way that people access services and move around, it is helping to pave the way to a future where digital identities are secure, trusted and always with everyone.
