For all obliged entities (accountants, lawyers, fiduciaries, trust and corporate service providers, trust services, etc.), the new framework means:
- New KYC and client onboarding procedures
- Electronic powers of attorney and signatures
- Verification of corporate and professional certificates directly through the EU Wallet
What is eIDAS 2.0 and what does it change?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 fully replaces the old eIDAS Regulation (910/2014) and introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). This Wallet will be a single, mandatory-to-issue digital identity provided by each Member State to all citizens, residents, and businesses in the EU, with full legal force and mutual recognition across all Member States without exceptions.
The Wallet will include:
- High-level assurance electronic identification
- Qualified Electronic Signatures & Seals (QES)
- Electronic Attestations of Attributes (EAA), such as driving licences, professional qualifications, corporate certificates (directors, UBOs, shareholders, etc.), diplomas, medical certificates, and more
Obligations for Obliged Entities
The Regulation makes it mandatory for all entities subject to the AML Directive (2015/849 as amended) to accept the European Digital Identity Wallet when a client chooses to use it for identification or to provide documents/attestations.
The most important practical changes are:
1. New KYC & Onboarding Procedures
Obliged entities must adapt their systems to accept identification directly via the EUDI Wallet (using QR code or NFC), without requiring physical presence or document submission. The process will be fully automated and with a guaranteed “high” level of assurance.
2. Electronic Powers of Attorney and Signatures
All powers of attorney, mandates, contracts, and corporate documents can be signed using a Qualified Electronic Signature directly from the Wallet, with full legal effect across the entire EU and without the need for apostille or additional notarisation.
3. Verification of Corporate and Professional Attributes via the Wallet
Certificates of directors, shareholders, UBOs, professional licences, diplomas, etc., will be issued as Electronic Attestations of Attributes by the competent authorities and stored in the client’s Wallet. Verification will be instant and automated, eliminating manual checks or registry requests.
Implementation Timeline (updated November 2025)
- The Regulation has been in force since 20 May 2024.
- The first Wallets from Member States are expected to become available from late 2025 to mid-2026 (most countries are already in pilot or pre-production phase).
- The mandatory acceptance by obliged entities and very large online platforms applies as скоро as a Member State’s Wallet is officially notified as reaching “high” level of assurance (notifications expected progressively during 2026).
- By November 2026, all Member States must offer the Wallet to their citizens.
Benefits for Obliged Entities
- Significant reduction in onboarding time and cost (from days to minutes)
- Reduced fraud risk thanks to higher security standards
- Full cross-border validity without additional legalisation
- Automation of a large part of AML compliance
What You Should Do Now:
1. Assess your current KYC/AML systems and technical readiness for integration with the EUDI Wallet (the ARF & AIF technical specifications are already published by the EU).
2. Plan staff training.
3. Consider partnering with Qualified Trust Service Providers that already support the European Digital Identity Wallet.
eIDAS 2.0 is not just a new obligation – it is an opportunity to radically modernise your processes and gain a competitive advantage in the European market.
We are at your disposal to assist you with the legal and technical transition to the new era of European digital identity.
KANNAVALAW – LAW FIRM
A: 8, Loizou Askani Street, 3110 Limassol, Cyprus
T: +357 25 262 725 | +357 99 465757 | E: m.kannava@kannavalaw.com | W: www.kannavalaw.com