🇧🇪EUDI Wallet Belgium: MyGov.be - First in the EU

Overview

Belgium achieved a remarkable milestone on May 1, 2024: becoming the first EU country to launch a national digital identity wallet. While other member states were still in planning stages, Belgium deployed MyGov.be to all 12.0 million citizens, demonstrating that existing digital infrastructure can accelerate EUDI Wallet adoption.

This early launch was possible because Belgium built on two decades of digital identity experience: eID cards (operational since 2003) and itsme mobile authentication (over 6 million users). By integrating these established systems with MyGov.be, Belgium provided immediate value—storing identity data, COVID certificates, and vital records—while laying the groundwork for full EUDI Wallet compliance by the December 2026 deadline.

Key Information

• App Name: MyGov.be 🟢 (verified)
• Launch Date: May 1, 2024 🟢 (verified - FIRST in EU!)
• Status: Live and operational 🟢
• Activation Methods: eID card or itsme 🟢 (verified)
• Current Users: Scaling nationwide (exact figures not publicly disclosed)
• Languages: Dutch (Flemish) and French (bilingual support)
• Coordinating Agency: FPS Economy (Federal Public Service Economy)
• Full EUDI Compliance: December 2026 🟡 (planned)
• Population: 12 million
• Download: Available on App Store and Google Play

MyGov.be: Belgium's Digital Identity Wallet

MyGov.be is Belgium's implementation of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, designed to store and share official credentials securely on your smartphone. The app provides a unified platform for identity verification, government service access, and document management.

Why "MyGov.be"?

The name reflects Belgium's approach: "My" emphasizes individual ownership and control, "Gov" indicates government backing and official status, and ".be" is Belgium's country domain, signaling this is the national solution. The bilingual nature of Belgium (Dutch and French) is addressed through full language support in the app interface, not separate app names.

Activation Methods: eID Card or itsme

Belgium recognizes that citizens have different preferences and technical capabilities, so MyGov.be supports two activation pathways:

Method 1: eID Card Activation

Belgian electronic ID cards (eID) have been issued since 2003, containing a secure chip with cryptographic certificates. To activate MyGov.be with your eID card:

1. Download MyGov.be from App Store or Google Play
2. Select "Activate with eID card"
3. Prepare your eID card and PIN code
4. Use one of these methods to read the card:
   • NFC smartphone: Place card on back of phone (most modern smartphones support NFC)
   • USB card reader: Insert card into reader connected to computer
5. Enter your eID PIN when prompted
6. MyGov.be reads your identity data from the chip
7. Set up app security (biometric or PIN)
8. Your digital wallet is now active

Method 2: itsme Activation

itsme is Belgium's widely adopted mobile authentication solution (over 6 million users as of 2024). If you already have itsme, activation is streamlined:

1. Download MyGov.be from App Store or Google Play
2. Select "Activate with itsme"
3. MyGov.be redirects to itsme app
4. Authenticate with itsme (biometric or PIN)
5. Approve MyGov.be access to your identity data
6. Return to MyGov.be
7. Your digital wallet is now active

Why Two Activation Methods?

Belgium's dual approach ensures accessibility:

• eID card option: Works for all Belgian citizens and residents with electronic ID cards (universal coverage)
• itsme option: Convenient for the millions already using itsme (no card reader needed)
• Redundancy: If one method fails (lost card, itsme account issue), the other provides backup
• User choice: Respects individual preferences for authentication methods

What is itsme?

Understanding itsme is essential to understanding Belgium's digital identity ecosystem.

Origins and Partnership

itsme was created in 2017 through a unique partnership of Belgian Mobile ID (a joint venture of Belgium's major banks and mobile network operators). This public-private collaboration combined:

• Banking expertise: KYC verification, anti-fraud systems, regulatory compliance
• Telecom infrastructure: Mobile network security, SIM card authentication
• Government support: Integration with official identity databases and eID systems

How itsme Works

itsme allows you to prove your identity using your smartphone:

1. Initial setup: Verify identity using eID card or passport + video selfie
2. Device binding: itsme generates cryptographic keys tied to your smartphone
3. Authentication: When a service requests identity verification, you receive an itsme notification
4. Approval: Confirm with biometric (fingerprint/Face ID) or 5-digit PIN
5. Data sharing: itsme shares only requested attributes (name, age, address) with the service

itsme Use Cases

Before MyGov.be launched, itsme was already used for:

• Banking: Account opening, loan applications, transaction authorization
• Government: Tax filing, social security services, municipal registrations
• Telecom: Mobile contract signups, SIM card activation
• Insurance: Policy applications, claims submission
• Utilities: Energy contracts, address changes
• E-commerce: Age verification, delivery authorization

With over 6 million users (more than half of Belgium's population), itsme achieved mass adoption that few national digital identity systems match. This existing user base gave MyGov.be an instant advantage—millions of Belgians could activate the wallet without learning new authentication methods.

Current Features: What's In Your MyGov.be Wallet

As of the May 2024 launch, MyGov.be stores the following credential types:

1. Identity Data

Your Belgian national ID card information:

• Full legal name
• Photo
• Date and place of birth
• National register number
• Belgian nationality
• Card number and validity dates
• Signature (digitized from physical card)

For residents (non-citizens), MyGov.be stores residence permit information instead of nationality data.

2. COVID-19 Vaccination Records

Belgium integrated EU Digital COVID Certificates into MyGov.be at launch:

• Vaccination certificates (showing vaccine type, doses, dates)
• Test results (PCR and rapid antigen tests)
• Recovery certificates (proof of COVID-19 recovery)
• QR codes for international travel verification

While COVID certificate requirements have largely ended, having this feature at launch demonstrated MyGov.be's ability to handle health credentials—important for future use cases like prescription access or health insurance verification.

3. Birth Certificates

Digital versions of official birth certificates (extract from birth register):

• Full name at birth
• Date and place of birth
• Parents' names
• Issuing municipality
• Cryptographic signature for authenticity verification

Use cases include school enrollment, passport applications, marriage registration, and legal procedures requiring proof of birth.

4. Marriage Certificates

Digital marriage certificates (extract from marriage register):

• Spouses' full names
• Date and place of marriage
• Marital status
• Issuing municipality
• Cryptographic signature for authenticity

Useful for name changes, spousal benefits, joint accounts, tax filings, and immigration procedures.

5. Other Official Documents

Belgium designed MyGov.be with extensibility in mind. The wallet architecture supports adding:

• Driver's licenses (planned)
• Residence permits and visas
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Educational diplomas and transcripts
• Social security cards
• Tax identification documents
• Vehicle registration
• Business permits and registrations

As Belgium evolves MyGov.be toward full EUDI compliance by December 2026, additional credential types will be integrated based on citizen needs and regulatory requirements.

Evolution to Full EUDI Compliance by 2026

While MyGov.be launched in May 2024, achieving full eIDAS 2.0 EUDI Wallet compliance requires additional technical development. Belgium is on track for the December 2026 deadline.

Current Status: Operational But Limited Cross-Border Use

MyGov.be works perfectly within Belgium for:

• Belgian government services
• Domestic banking and finance
• Identity verification with Belgian organizations
• Document storage and retrieval

However, MyGov.be does not yet support cross-border recognition in other EU countries. A Belgian citizen traveling to Germany cannot (yet) use MyGov.be to verify identity, open a bank account, or access government services abroad.

What's Needed for Full EUDI Compliance?

Belgium must implement the following to meet eIDAS 2.0 requirements:

1. Cross-Border Interoperability

MyGov.be must connect to the EU-wide eIDAS interoperability gateway, enabling Belgian credentials to be verified by systems in all 27 member states. This requires:

• Standardized credential formats (W3C Verifiable Credentials or ISO/IEC 18013-5 mDL)
• Cryptographic protocols recognized by all EU verification systems
• API integration with the EU interoperability framework
• Testing and certification with other member states' wallets

2. Selective Disclosure and Privacy Features

eIDAS 2.0 mandates privacy-preserving credential sharing:

• Selective disclosure: Share "over 18" without full birth date
• Minimal data sharing: Services receive only necessary attributes (age, residency status, nationality)
• User consent: Explicit approval required for each data sharing request
• Audit logs: Complete record of when and where you shared identity data

3. Qualified Electronic Signatures

EUDI Wallets must support legally binding digital signatures equivalent to handwritten signatures:

• Signing contracts remotely
• Authorizing official documents
• Consenting to transactions
• Submitting legal paperwork

Belgium's eID cards already support qualified signatures, so extending this to MyGov.be is technically feasible.

4. Private Sector Credential Integration

eIDAS 2.0 requires wallets to store not just government credentials but also private sector credentials:

• Bank account details and payment credentials
• University diplomas and transcripts
• Employment records and professional licenses
• Health insurance cards and prescriptions
• Loyalty cards and membership credentials

5. Offline Verification

Credentials must be verifiable without internet connectivity (e.g., presenting ID at a remote border crossing or in an area without cellular coverage). This requires:

• Local cryptographic verification using device-stored certificates
• QR codes or NFC containing signed credential data
• Revocation list caching for validity checks

Belgium's Implementation Roadmap

FPS Economy has not published a detailed public timeline, but based on regulatory requirements:

• Q1-Q2 2026: Technical development (interoperability gateway, selective disclosure, signatures)
• Q3 2026: Cross-border testing with Germany, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg (neighboring countries)
• Q4 2026: Security audits and certification
• December 2026: Full EUDI Wallet compliance achieved

Bilingual Support: Dutch and French

Belgium's linguistic complexity is unique in the EU. The country has three official languages (Dutch, French, German) with Dutch and French being the primary languages spoken by the vast majority of citizens.

Language Distribution

• Dutch (Flemish): Spoken in Flanders (northern Belgium), ~60% of population
• French: Spoken in Wallonia (southern Belgium) and Brussels, ~40% of population
• German: Small community in eastern Belgium, ~1% of population

MyGov.be's Bilingual Implementation

To serve all citizens equally, MyGov.be provides:

• Interface language selection: Choose Dutch or French at first launch
• Dynamic switching: Change language anytime in settings
• Translated content: All UI elements, help text, error messages, and documentation in both languages
• Bilingual customer support: Phone, email, and chat support available in Dutch and French
• Official communications: Government notices and announcements sent in user's preferred language

Legal and Cultural Considerations

Belgium's linguistic communities have strong identities and legal protections. MyGov.be must:

• Provide exactly equal functionality in both languages (no feature delays for one language)
• Use terminology consistent with official government vocabulary in each language
• Respect regional preferences (Flemish speakers in Flanders see Dutch by default)
• Ensure certificates and documents display in the language of the issuing municipality

This bilingual complexity adds development cost and testing burden, but Belgium successfully navigated these challenges for the May 2024 launch.

FPS Economy: Coordinating Belgium's Digital Identity

FPS Economy (Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy) leads Belgium's digital identity initiatives, including MyGov.be.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning: Define Belgium's digital identity roadmap and EUDI Wallet compliance strategy
• Stakeholder coordination: Align federal government, regional governments, municipalities, and private sector
• Technical oversight: Manage MyGov.be development, security audits, and infrastructure
• Regulatory compliance: Ensure MyGov.be meets eIDAS 2.0 requirements and Belgian data protection laws
• Bilingual implementation: Guarantee equal service quality in Dutch and French
• Public communication: Educate citizens about MyGov.be benefits and usage

Collaboration with Other Agencies

FPS Economy doesn't work alone. MyGov.be requires coordination with:

• FPS Interior: National register, identity cards, residence permits
• FPS Finance: Tax data integration
• FPS Social Security: Health insurance, pensions, benefits
• FPS Foreign Affairs: Passport data, consular services
• Municipalities: Birth/marriage/death certificates, local services
• Belgian Mobile ID: itsme integration and authentication

Use Cases: What Can You Do With MyGov.be?

MyGov.be is not just document storage—it enables real-world use cases.

Government Services

• Authenticate for online tax filing (no separate login needed)
• Access social security records (unemployment, pensions, child benefits)
• Register address changes with municipality
• Apply for business permits and licenses
• Request official documents (birth/marriage certificates) digitally
• Submit planning applications and building permits
• Verify identity for notary services

Document Verification

• Prove identity when opening bank account (in-person or online)
• Show marriage certificate for spousal benefits
• Present birth certificate for school enrollment
• Provide COVID certificate for international travel (when required)
• Share residence permit with landlords or employers

Age Verification

• Verify age for restricted purchases (alcohol, tobacco, gambling)
• Prove age for online services (social media, gaming)
• Confirm adult status for contract signing

Future Use Cases (Post-EUDI Compliance)

Once MyGov.be achieves full EUDI compliance, additional use cases will include:

• Cross-border banking (open account in any EU country)
• EU-wide travel (hotel check-ins without physical ID)
• International job applications (verify credentials abroad)
• University enrollment in other EU countries
• Rental car services across EU
• Digital proxy voting (planned for Belgian elections)

Security and Privacy

MyGov.be implements multiple security layers to protect your identity and credentials.

Device Security

• Biometric authentication: Fingerprint or Face ID required to open app
• PIN fallback: Secure numeric PIN for devices without biometrics
• Device binding: Credentials tied to your specific smartphone (cannot be cloned)
• Automatic lock: App locks after inactivity (configurable timeout)
• Secure storage: Credentials encrypted on device (not accessible by other apps)

Data Protection

MyGov.be complies with GDPR and Belgian privacy laws:

• You control which credentials to share and when
• No commercial use of identity data (government-only service)
• No tracking or profiling for advertising
• Right to access: View all data stored in your wallet
• Right to deletion: Delete wallet without affecting physical documents
• Regular security audits and privacy impact assessments

Credential Verification

When you share a credential, verification works as follows:

1. Service requests specific credential (birth certificate, ID data, etc.)
2. MyGov.be shows you exactly what data will be shared
3. You approve or deny the request
4. If approved, MyGov.be generates a cryptographically signed proof
5. The service verifies the signature against Belgian government public keys
6. The service confirms the credential is authentic and not revoked

Timeline: Belgium's Digital Identity Journey

Completed Milestones

• 2003: Belgian eID cards launched (chip-based electronic ID)
• 2017: itsme launched by Belgian Mobile ID consortium
• 2020-2021: itsme reaches mass adoption (4+ million users)
• April 2024: eIDAS 2.0 regulation signed into EU law
• May 1, 2024: MyGov.be launches—FIRST EU country! 🏆
• 2024-2025: MyGov.be user base grows nationwide
• November 2024: EU adopts implementing acts for EUDI Wallet technical specifications

Planned Milestones

• Q1-Q2 2026: Development of cross-border interoperability features
• Q3 2026: Testing with neighboring countries (France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
• Q4 2026: Security audits and eIDAS compliance certification
• December 2026: Full EUDI Wallet compliance achieved (EU regulatory deadline)
• 2027 onwards: Cross-border use cases operational EU-wide
• End of 2027: Banks required to accept EUDI Wallet for KYC verification

Belgium's eID Card Legacy

Understanding Belgium's May 2024 success requires recognizing the 21-year foundation of eID cards.

eID Card Features (Since 2003)

• Chip-based secure storage of identity data
• Digital certificates for authentication and signing
• PIN protection for online use
• Government services authentication
• Legally binding digital signatures

Why eID Cards Enabled MyGov.be

Twenty-one years of eID infrastructure gave Belgium:

• Public trust: Belgians already trusted electronic identity verification
• Legal framework: Laws recognizing digital identity were already in place
• Technical expertise: Government agencies had decades of experience with digital credentials
• Service integration: Banks, government offices, and businesses already accepted eID authentication
• Activation pathway: MyGov.be could bootstrap from eID cards (no new enrollment process needed)

Official Resources

• Belgium.be - eID Information - Official government eID portal
• itsme Official Website - Mobile authentication platform
• FPS Economy - Federal Public Service coordinating digital identity