🇧🇬EUDI Wallet Bulgaria: What We Know So Far

What We Know About Bulgaria's EUDI Wallet

Bulgaria, with a population of 7 million, is preparing to implement the European Digital Identity Wallet as required by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. While specific details about Bulgaria's EUDI Wallet implementation have not been officially announced, several facts are clear based on EU law and Bulgaria's existing digital infrastructure.

Legal Requirement (🟢 Verified)

Under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation (EU) 2024/1183, which entered into force in May 2024, all 27 EU member states must provide a European Digital Identity Wallet to their citizens by December 31, 2026. This is a binding legal requirement, not optional. Bulgaria must comply with this deadline.

Existing Authentication System (🟢 Verified)

Bulgaria currently operates Bulgarian eID, a national digital authentication system that enables citizens to access government services electronically. Bulgarian eID provides secure login for tax filing, social security, healthcare, and other public services. The EUDI Wallet will likely build upon or integrate with this existing Bulgarian eID infrastructure, using years of established digital identity experience.

Regulatory Deadline (🟡 Confirmed by Regulation)

The December 31, 2026 deadline is set by EU law. Bulgaria must provide a wallet that meets the technical specifications defined in the Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF) version 2.7.3, which standardizes functionality across all EU member states.

What Is Not Yet Known

We believe in being honest about what information is not yet available. The following details have not been officially announced by Bulgaria authorities:

Official Wallet Name (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

Bulgaria has not announced the official name for its EUDI Wallet. While "eID Bulgaria" is a logical name, this is speculation, not official confirmation. The wallet may integrate directly into the existing Bulgarian eID system or be branded separately.

Exact Launch Date (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

Beyond the December 2026 regulatory deadline, Bulgaria has not provided a specific launch date, pilot schedule, or rollout timeline. Some countries announce phased launches (pilot first, then gradual rollout), while others plan immediate availability—Bulgaria's approach remains unclear.

Setup Process (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

The activation process—how Bulgaria citizens will set up their digital wallet—has not been disclosed. It will likely require existing government-issued credentials (ID card, passport, or Bulgarian eID account), but the specific steps are unknown.

Expected Functionality Based on EU Standards

Even without Bulgaria-specific announcements, we know what functionality Bulgaria's EUDI Wallet must provide, because all EU member states must comply with the same technical specifications (ARF 2.7.3):

Core Features (🟢 Verified from ARF Specifications)

• Identity Verification: Store and present digital identity for government services, banking, and age verification
• Banking KYC: From January 1, 2027, all banks and financial institutions must accept EUDI Wallet for customer identification (mandatory)
• Government Services: Access tax filing, healthcare, social security, business permits, and other public services
• Age Verification: Prove age for restricted purchases without revealing full birth date
• Cross-Border Recognition: Bulgaria digital credentials recognized in all 27 EU member states
• Qualified Signatures: Sign legally binding documents digitally with the same legal force as handwritten signatures

What Should Bulgaria Citizens Do Now?

While waiting for official announcements, Bulgaria citizens can take the following steps:

1. Ensure you have a valid Bulgaria ID card or passport — these will likely be required to activate the digital wallet
2. Familiarize yourself with Bulgarian eID — Bulgaria's existing digital authentication system may be integrated with the EUDI Wallet
3. Monitor official sources — Check www.egov.bg for government announcements
4. Don't worry about missing the deadline — The wallet is optional; you can continue using physical documents

Bulgaria's E-Government Strategy and Digital Transformation

Bulgaria adopted its Updated E-Government Strategy 2019-2025, a complete roadmap that set ambitious targets for digitizing public services and citizen interactions with government. The strategy was coordinated by the State Agency for e-Government (SAEG), established as the central authority for Bulgaria's digital transformation. SAEG oversees the national e-government portal (egov.bg), manages interoperability standards between government systems, and coordinates the implementation of EU digital regulations including eIDAS.

A cornerstone achievement of this strategy has been the "eAuthentication" system, which provides a standardized login mechanism for Bulgarian e-government services. Citizens can authenticate using their electronic ID card, a PiK (Personal Identification Code) certificate, or a qualified electronic signature (QES). This multi-tier authentication model aligns with the eIDAS assurance levels and provides a natural integration point for the EUDI Wallet, which must also support varying levels of identity assurance depending on the service being accessed.

Bulgarian Electronic ID Card: Chip Capabilities and Coverage

Bulgaria began issuing electronic identity cards with embedded contact chips in 2020, replacing older card formats that lacked digital functionality. The new Bulgarian eID card stores the holder's biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) and includes a secure chip capable of performing cryptographic operations for authentication and digital signing. The card meets the ICAO 9303 standard for machine-readable travel documents, ensuring interoperability with border control systems across Europe.

However, the rollout has been gradual. Not all Bulgarian citizens have replaced their older ID cards with the chip-enabled versions, as cards remain valid until their expiry date. This creates a transitional challenge for EUDI Wallet implementation: citizens with older, non-chip cards may need to obtain a new eID before they can activate a wallet at the "high" assurance level. The Ministry of Interior, which issues Bulgarian identity documents, will need to coordinate with SAEG to ensure a smooth enrollment path for citizens regardless of which card generation they currently hold.

State Agency for e-Government (SAEG) and National Trust Infrastructure

The State Agency for e-Government (SAEG) is Bulgaria's designated body for implementing national trust services and electronic identification. SAEG maintains the Bulgarian National Trust Scheme, which accredits qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) operating in the country. These QTSPs issue qualified certificates for electronic signatures and seals, provide time-stamping services, and operate electronic registered delivery services -- all of which are components that the EUDI Wallet ecosystem relies upon.

Bulgaria's trust scheme is integrated with the EU's Trusted List system, meaning Bulgarian qualified certificates are already recognized across the EU under the original eIDAS regulation. For the EUDI Wallet, this existing trust infrastructure is important: the wallet will need to present verifiable credentials signed by trusted issuers, and Bulgaria's QTSPs are positioned to serve as these issuers. SAEG's role will expand under eIDAS 2.0 to include supervision of wallet providers and attestation issuers.

EU Recovery Funding and Bulgaria's Digital Investment

Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), funded through the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility, allocates substantial resources to digital transformation. The plan includes dedicated funding for modernizing the national identity infrastructure, upgrading e-government platforms, and improving digital literacy among citizens. These investments are directly relevant to EUDI Wallet readiness, as they address both the technical infrastructure and the citizen adoption challenges that Bulgaria faces.

One specific area of investment is the upgrade of Bulgaria's registers and back-office systems to support real-time data exchange between government agencies. The EUDI Wallet's functionality depends on government systems being able to issue verifiable attestations (such as proof of address, educational qualifications, or driving license data) in a standardized digital format. Without modernized back-end registers, the wallet would have no data to carry. Bulgaria's NRRP investments are closing this gap by digitizing civil registers, the commercial register, and key databases maintained by agencies including the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Digital Literacy and Adoption Challenges in Bulgaria

Bulgaria faces a distinctive challenge in EUDI Wallet adoption that sets it apart from Western European member states. According to the European Commission's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), Bulgaria consistently ranks among the lowest EU countries in basic digital skills. Only around 31% of Bulgarians aged 16-74 had at least basic digital skills in recent DESI measurements, compared to an EU average of approximately 54%. This gap poses a real barrier to EUDI Wallet adoption, especially in rural areas where digital infrastructure and smartphone penetration are lower.

The Bulgarian government has recognized this challenge and included digital literacy programs in its NRRP commitments. Libraries, community centers, and municipal offices across the country are being equipped to serve as digital assistance points where citizens can receive help with e-government services. These same facilities could serve as EUDI Wallet activation and support points, providing face-to-face assistance for citizens who are not comfortable with smartphone-based digital identity on their own.

Reassurance: All EU Countries Must Comply

If you're concerned about whether Bulgaria will deliver an EUDI Wallet, remember this: the December 2026 deadline applies equally to all 27 EU member states. Bulgaria is legally obligated to provide a wallet, just like every other country. The lack of public announcements does not indicate Bulgaria won't comply—many countries are developing wallets without extensive public communication until closer to launch.