🇩🇰EUDI Wallet Denmark: What We Know So Far

What We Know About Denmark's EUDI Wallet

Denmark, with a population of 6 million, is preparing to implement the European Digital Identity Wallet as required by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. While specific details about Denmark's EUDI Wallet implementation have not been officially announced, several facts are clear based on EU law and Denmark'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. Denmark must comply with this deadline.

Existing Authentication System (🟢 Verified)

Denmark currently operates MitID, a national digital authentication system that enables citizens to access government services electronically. MitID 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 MitID infrastructure, using years of established digital identity experience.

Regulatory Deadline (🟡 Confirmed by Regulation)

The December 31, 2026 deadline is set by EU law. Denmark 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 Denmark authorities:

Official Wallet Name (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Exact Launch Date (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

Beyond the December 2026 regulatory deadline, Denmark 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—Denmark's approach remains unclear.

Setup Process (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Expected Functionality Based on EU Standards

Even without Denmark-specific announcements, we know what functionality Denmark'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: Denmark 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 Denmark Citizens Do Now?

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

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

From NemID to MitID: Denmark's Recent Identity Migration

Denmark's experience migrating from NemID to MitID between 2021 and 2023 is directly relevant to understanding how the EUDI Wallet rollout might unfold. NemID, launched in 2010, was Denmark's first universal digital identity system, used by approximately 5 million Danes for banking, government services, and private sector logins. By 2021, NemID was aging — it relied on Java applets, physical code cards, and a centralized architecture that raised security concerns.

MitID replaced NemID with a modern, app-based solution using biometric authentication, push notifications, and hardware tokens. The migration was massive: 5 million users needed to transition within a two-year window. Denmark managed this through a phased approach — banks and government agencies switched to MitID on different schedules, and NemID remained operational as a fallback until October 2023. The migration taught Danish authorities valuable lessons about user communication, support for elderly citizens, and managing parallel systems during transition periods. These lessons will likely inform how Denmark handles the EUDI Wallet transition.

Denmark's Digital Strategy and EU Leadership

Denmark's digital government ambitions are guided by the Joint Government Digital Strategy, most recently the 2022-2025 edition developed jointly by the national government, KL (Local Government Denmark), and Danish Regions. This strategy emphasizes digital-first public services, data-driven governance, and cybersecurity — all principles that align with the EUDI Wallet's goals.

Denmark has consistently ranked number one or two in the EU's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), reflecting the country's exceptionally high digital literacy and infrastructure. Over 95% of Danish citizens aged 15-89 possess a digital identity, and 92% of interactions with government services happen digitally. The Danish tax authority (SKAT) processes over 99% of tax returns digitally, and Digital Post (e-Boks) has replaced physical mail for official government communication. This level of digital maturity means Danes are already accustomed to the type of digital interactions the EUDI Wallet will enable.

Digitaliseringsstyrelsen: The Agency Behind the Wallet

Digitaliseringsstyrelsen (the Agency for Digital Government) is the Danish government body responsible for developing and maintaining Denmark's digital infrastructure. Operating under the Ministry of Finance, the agency manages MitID, NemLog-in (the shared public sector login infrastructure), Digital Post, and the national digital strategy implementation.

For the EUDI Wallet, Digitaliseringsstyrelsen serves as the coordinating authority between Danish government agencies, private sector relying parties (banks, telecom companies, healthcare providers), and the European Commission. The agency's technical team participates in the Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF) working groups that define the wallet's technical specifications. Digitaliseringsstyrelsen also manages Denmark's participation in EU pilot programs and coordinates with Nordic neighbors Sweden, Finland, and Norway on cross-border digital identity interoperability.

Denmark's Unique Digital Infrastructure Ecosystem

Beyond MitID, Denmark has built an interconnected digital government ecosystem that provides context for the EUDI Wallet. Key components include:

• Borger.dk: The citizen portal providing one-stop access to municipal, regional, and national government services. Over 2,000 self-service solutions are available, from changing your address to applying for parental leave.
• Sundhed.dk: Denmark's national health portal where citizens can access medical records, book appointments, renew prescriptions, and communicate with healthcare providers — all authenticated via MitID.
• NemKonto: The national bank account registry that links every citizen's bank account to their CPR number (personal identification number), enabling instant government payments.
• Digital Post (e-Boks): Since 2014, all Danish citizens over 15 receive official government mail digitally. Physical letters from government agencies are the exception, not the rule.

The EUDI Wallet will not replace these systems but rather provide an additional authentication and credential-sharing layer. Danish citizens will likely be able to store verifiable credentials (driver's license, health insurance card, educational diplomas) in the wallet and present them across EU borders — something MitID alone cannot do because it is only recognized within Denmark.

The Greenland and Faroe Islands Question

An aspect unique to Denmark is the status of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. These autonomous territories are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but not part of the European Union. The eIDAS 2.0 regulation applies to EU member states, meaning it directly covers Denmark proper but not its overseas territories. Currently, residents of Greenland and the Faroe Islands use MitID for Danish government services, but whether the EUDI Wallet will be extended to these territories depends on decisions by their respective home-rule governments (Naalakkersuisut in Greenland, Landsstyri in the Faroe Islands). This is an unresolved question that may only be answered closer to the December 2026 deadline.

Reassurance: Denmark Is Among the Best-Prepared EU Countries

If you're concerned about whether Denmark will deliver an EUDI Wallet on time, consider Denmark's track record: the country has consistently led the EU in digital government, successfully migrated 5 million citizens from NemID to MitID, and has a dedicated government agency (Digitaliseringsstyrelsen) managing the process. Denmark's challenge is not technical readiness but rather determining how the EUDI Wallet adds value on top of an already highly functional domestic digital identity ecosystem. The December 2026 deadline applies equally to all 27 EU member states, and Denmark is among the best-positioned to meet it.