EUDI Wallet France: France Identité Live System

Overview

France is one of the frontrunners in implementing the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), with its France Identité app already operational since late 2023. Unlike many EU member states still in pilot phases, France has graduated to nationwide scaling, making digital identity credentials available to its 68.0 million residents.

France Identité represents a significant leap forward from traditional paper-based identification, integrating the national ID card (Carte Nationale d'Identité), driver's license (Permis de Conduire), and the Carte Vitale (health insurance card) into a single secure smartphone application. The government aims to reach 5 million active users by the end of 2026, with full eIDAS 2.0 compliance achieved by the regulatory deadline in December 2026.

Key Information

• App Name: France Identité 🟢
• Status: Operational (launched late 2023, graduated from pilot) 🟢
• Availability: App Store and Google Play 🟢
• Authentication System: FranceConnect / FranceConnect+ 🟢
• Target Users by End 2026: 5 million 🟢
• Current Supported Credentials: National ID, Driver's License, Carte Vitale 🟢
• Live Use Cases: TGV tickets, government services, digital proxy voting (March 2026) 🟢
• Security Oversight: ANSSI (French cybersecurity agency) 🟢
• Privacy Oversight: CNIL (French data protection authority) 🟢
• Technical Partner: iDAKTO 🟢
• eIDAS 2.0 Compliance Deadline: December 2026 🟢

Current Use Cases: What You Can Do Today

France Identité is not a future promise—it's a working system with practical applications used by French citizens right now.

TGV High-Speed Train Tickets

One of the most convenient use cases is presenting train tickets on France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) network. Instead of printing tickets or fumbling with email confirmations, passengers can display their digital ticket through the France Identité app. This integration demonstrates how digital identity credentials can streamline everyday transactions beyond traditional identification scenarios.

Government Services via FranceConnect

France Identité integrates with FranceConnect, France's national identity federation system, to provide seamless access to over 1,400 government services. Users can authenticate for:

• Tax declarations and payments (impots.gouv.fr)
• Social security benefits (ameli.fr)
• Unemployment benefits (pole-emploi.fr)
• Family allowances (caf.fr)
• Pension services (lassuranceretraite.fr)
• Vehicle registration and driver's license renewals (ANTS)
• Healthcare appointments and medical records (Mon Espace Santé)

Digital Proxy Voting (March 2026)

A groundbreaking use case launching in March 2026: France Identité will enable digital proxy voting for the municipal elections scheduled for March 15-22, 2026. The Ministry of the Interior is implementing a fully digital system where citizens can grant voting proxies through the app, eliminating the need for physical visits to police stations or town halls to complete proxy authorization forms.

This represents one of the first large-scale uses of EUDI Wallet technology for democratic processes, with potential implications for future European elections.

Carte Vitale: Digital Health Insurance

As of 2025, France Identité includes the Carte Vitale (France's national health insurance card). This allows users to:

• Access healthcare services without carrying the physical card
• Verify insurance coverage at pharmacies and medical facilities
• Process healthcare reimbursements digitally
• Access health data through Mon Espace Santé integration

Importantly, the Ministry of Health decided to forego biometric registration for the digital Carte Vitale, focusing instead on NFC-based credential transfer from physical cards to maintain privacy and ease of use.

FranceConnect: The Authentication Backbone

To understand France Identité, it's essential to understand FranceConnect, the national identity federation system that has been operating since 2016.

What is FranceConnect?

FranceConnect is a single sign-on (SSO) system that allows French citizens to access government services using existing credentials from trusted identity providers, including:

• impots.gouv.fr (tax administration)
• ameli.fr (health insurance)
• La Poste (postal service)
• Mobile Connect et Moi (telecom operators)

Instead of creating separate accounts for each government website, users log in once with a FranceConnect-supported credential and gain access to all participating services.

FranceConnect+ and eIDAS Compliance

FranceConnect+ is the enhanced version of FranceConnect that meets eIDAS requirements for substantial and elevated assurance levels. This makes FranceConnect+ suitable for high-security transactions like:

• Opening bank accounts
• Signing legally binding contracts
• Accessing sensitive medical records
• Cross-border authentication for other EU services

eIDAS Interoperability Gateway

Through FranceConnect+, French citizens can access the eIDAS interoperability gateway, which allows citizens from other EU member states to use their national digital identities to access French government services, and vice versa. This cross-border functionality is a key requirement of eIDAS 2.0.

How France Identité Works

The France Identité app uses a combination of NFC technology, biometric authentication, and cryptographic security to provide a user-friendly yet highly secure digital identity solution.

Initial Setup Process

1. Download the App: France Identité is available free on both iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
2. Scan Your Physical ID: Using your smartphone's NFC reader, you scan your biometric national ID card (Carte Nationale d'Identité). The app reads the secure chip embedded in the card.
3. Verify Identity: The app verifies the authenticity of your ID card by checking cryptographic signatures and validating against government databases (without accessing the fingerprint biometrics stored on the physical card).
4. Set Up Biometric Access: You configure biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint) and a personal PIN code to secure access to the app.
5. Credential Issuance: Once verified, the app issues cryptographically signed digital credentials representing your identity attributes (name, date of birth, photo, etc.).

Adding Additional Credentials

After setting up your digital ID, you can add:

• Driver's License: Scan your physical Permis de Conduire using NFC to add a digital version to the wallet.
• Carte Vitale: Scan your physical health insurance card (or link through your Ameli account) to add health credentials.

Using France Identité for Authentication

When a service (government portal, private company, etc.) requests identity verification:

1. The service displays a QR code or sends a notification to your France Identité app
2. You open the app and authenticate with biometrics or PIN
3. The app shows exactly which identity attributes are being requested
4. You approve or deny the data sharing request
5. If approved, the app shares only the requested attributes with end-to-end encryption

This selective disclosure model ensures you never share more information than necessary for a given transaction.

Security & Privacy Architecture

France Identité incorporates multiple layers of security designed to protect both identity credentials and user privacy, all while complying with GDPR and France's strict data protection laws.

Biometric Authentication

Access to the France Identité app is protected by biometric authentication (Face ID on iOS, fingerprint on Android) combined with an optional personal PIN code. This ensures that even if your phone is lost or stolen, your digital identity credentials cannot be accessed without your biometric signature or PIN.

No Biometric Data Harvesting

A critical privacy feature: France Identité does NOT access the fingerprint biometrics stored on your physical national ID card. While the physical card contains two fingerprint images (required by EU passport regulations), the France Identité app only uses the card's NFC chip to verify cryptographic signatures and read text-based identity attributes (name, birth date, photo, etc.). Your fingerprints remain exclusively on the physical card.

End-to-End Encryption

All identity data transmitted through France Identité uses end-to-end encryption. When you authenticate to a service:

• Your credentials are encrypted on your device
• They remain encrypted during transmission
• Only the authorized service provider can decrypt them using pre-shared keys
• No intermediary (including the app provider or government) can read the encrypted data

Selective Disclosure

France Identité allows you to selectively choose which identity attributes to share for any transaction. For example:

• Age verification for alcohol purchase: Share only "over 18" status, not full birth date
• Address verification for shipping: Share address only, not name or birth date
• Healthcare appointment: Share Carte Vitale number and name, not full ID details

This granular control ensures data minimization, a core principle of GDPR.

GDPR and Data Protection Act Compliance

France Identité is designed to comply with:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): EU-wide privacy law
• France's Data Protection Act: National implementation of GDPR with additional protections
• CNIL Oversight: The Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), France's data protection authority, oversees the app's data practices

Critically, France Identité does not process data for commercial or advertising purposes. The app exists solely to provide secure digital identity verification, with no secondary data monetization.

Open Data Sharing Logs

Users can view a complete history of every time they shared identity data through the app, including:

• Which service provider requested data
• What attributes were shared
• Date and time of the transaction

This transparency allows users to audit their digital identity usage and detect any unauthorized access attempts.

ANSSI Security Certification and Oversight

France Identité operates under the security oversight of ANSSI (Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d'information), France's national cybersecurity agency. ANSSI is responsible for ensuring that digital government services, especially those handling sensitive identity data, meet rigorous security standards.

What is ANSSI?

ANSSI is the French equivalent of Germany's BSI or the United States' NSA (for defensive cybersecurity). Established in 2009 and operating under the Prime Minister's office, ANSSI:

• Defines national cybersecurity standards and best practices
• Certifies security products and services for government use
• Responds to major cyber incidents affecting French infrastructure
• Conducts security audits of critical government systems
• Issues security guidelines for public and private sector organizations

ANSSI Security Requirements for France Identité

France Identité must comply with ANSSI's security framework, which includes:

RGS: Référentiel Général de Sécurité (General Security Framework)

The RGS defines mandatory security requirements for all French government information systems. For digital identity applications like France Identité, this means:

• Authentication Security: Multi-factor authentication with biometric or PIN protection
• Cryptographic Standards: Use of ANSSI-approved encryption algorithms and key lengths
• Access Control: Strict role-based access for system administrators
• Audit Logging: Complete records of system access and credential operations
• Incident Response: Mandatory reporting and mitigation procedures for security breaches

eIDAS High Assurance Level

France Identité is designed to meet the eIDAS "High" level of assurance, the most stringent category defined by EU regulations. This requires:

• In-person identity verification during initial enrollment (scanning physical ID card with NFC)
• Cryptographic protection of credentials against forgery and tampering
• Secure credential storage in hardware-protected areas (smartphone secure element)
• Protection against credential theft, cloning, or unauthorized access
• Regular security audits and penetration testing

ANSSI Security Audits

Before France Identité launched and periodically thereafter, ANSSI conducts comprehensive security audits:

• Code Review: Analysis of application source code for vulnerabilities
• Penetration Testing: Simulated attacks to identify security weaknesses
• Cryptographic Analysis: Verification that encryption implementations are correct
• Infrastructure Security: Assessment of backend servers, databases, and network security
• Operational Security: Review of procedures for system administration and incident response

Continuous Monitoring and Updates

ANSSI maintains ongoing oversight of France Identité through:

• Vulnerability Disclosure: Coordination with security researchers who report issues
• Threat Intelligence: Monitoring for new attack techniques targeting digital identity
• Mandatory Updates: Required security patches deployed within strict timeframes
• Security Incident Response: ANSSI involvement in investigating and mitigating breaches

CNIL Privacy Compliance and Data Protection

France Identité operates under the strict privacy oversight of CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés), France's data protection authority. CNIL ensures the app complies with GDPR, French data protection laws, and fundamental rights to privacy.

What is CNIL?

Established in 1978 (making it one of the world's first data protection authorities), CNIL is an independent administrative authority responsible for:

• Enforcing GDPR and France's Data Protection Act
• Investigating privacy complaints from citizens
• Issuing fines for non-compliance (up to €20 million or 4% of global revenue)
• Publishing guidelines on privacy best practices
• Authorizing high-risk data processing through impact assessments

Privacy by Design in France Identité

France Identité was designed from the ground up with privacy protections:

Data Minimization

The app only collects and stores data absolutely necessary for identity verification:

• Identity attributes (name, date of birth, photo, ID number) from your physical ID card
• Driver's license and Carte Vitale data (only if you choose to add these credentials)
• Transaction logs showing when you shared data (stored locally on your device, not centrally)
• No behavioral tracking, advertising profiles, or commercial data collection

Purpose Limitation

France Identité can only process data for its stated purpose: secure digital identity verification. The government is prohibited from:

• Using identity data for surveillance or monitoring of citizens
• Sharing data with law enforcement without proper legal authorization
• Selling or monetizing citizen data
• Creating profiles for commercial or political purposes
• Tracking citizens' physical locations or movements

User Consent and Control

Every time you share identity data through France Identité, you maintain complete control:

• Explicit Consent: You must actively approve each data sharing request
• Granular Selection: Choose exactly which attributes to share (age only, address only, full ID, etc.)
• Revocable Consent: You can revoke previously granted permissions at any time
• Transparent Disclosure: The app shows exactly what data will be shared before you approve

CNIL Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

Before France Identité launched, the government conducted a comprehensive Privacy Impact Assessment reviewed and approved by CNIL. This assessment evaluated:

• Data Flows: Mapping how identity data moves through the system
• Risk Analysis: Identifying potential privacy risks and mitigation strategies
• Legal Basis: Ensuring data processing complies with French and EU law
• Technical Safeguards: Verifying encryption, access controls, and security measures
• Rights Protection: Confirming users can exercise GDPR rights (access, deletion, correction)

Citizens' Privacy Rights

Under CNIL oversight, France Identité users have enforceable privacy rights:

Right to Access

You can request and receive a complete copy of all personal data the France Identité system holds about you, including:

• Identity credentials stored in the app
• Transaction history (when and where you shared data)
• Technical logs (app usage, authentication events)

Right to Rectification

If your identity data is incorrect (e.g., outdated address), you have the right to correct it. For official identity attributes (name, birth date), corrections require updating your physical ID card first, then refreshing the digital version.

Right to Deletion

You can delete your France Identité account and all associated data at any time. This removes the digital credentials from your smartphone but does not affect the validity of your physical ID card, driver's license, or Carte Vitale.

Right to Object

If you believe France Identité is processing your data unlawfully, you can object and file a complaint directly with CNIL. CNIL will investigate and, if necessary, order the government to cease unlawful processing.

No Biometric Data Harvesting

A critical privacy protection confirmed by CNIL: France Identité does NOT extract or store the fingerprint biometrics embedded in your physical national ID card. The app:

• Uses NFC only to read text-based identity attributes (name, date, photo as image file)
• Verifies cryptographic signatures from the ID card chip to confirm authenticity
• Does NOT access the two fingerprint images stored in the chip's secure area
• Uses your smartphone's biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint) locally, without uploading biometric data to servers

Ongoing CNIL Monitoring

CNIL conducts regular audits of France Identité to ensure continued compliance:

• Annual privacy assessments reviewing data processing activities
• Investigation of citizen complaints about privacy violations
• Review of any new features or data processing before deployment
• Enforcement actions (warnings, fines) if privacy violations are detected

Scaling to 5 Million Users

After graduating from pilot status, France Identité is in an active scaling phase to reach 5 million users by the end of 2026. This expansion involves both technical infrastructure improvements and strategic partnerships.

iDAKTO Partnership

The French government has partnered with iDAKTO, a specialized digital identity company, to scale the technical infrastructure required to support millions of concurrent users. iDAKTO's role includes:

• Managing secure credential issuance at scale
• Ensuring app performance and reliability during peak usage
• Integrating additional credential types (professional licenses, education credentials, etc.)
• Providing technical support and user onboarding assistance

Public Awareness Campaigns

To achieve the 5 million user target, the French government is running public awareness campaigns highlighting:

• Convenience benefits (no need to carry physical cards)
• Security advantages (biometric protection, theft prevention)
• Practical use cases (TGV tickets, digital voting, health services)
• Privacy protections (GDPR compliance, selective disclosure)

Phased Credential Rollout

Additional credentials will be added throughout 2026 to increase app utility and drive adoption:

• Q1 2026: Student IDs for university access and discounts
• Q2 2026: Professional licenses (medical, legal, trade certifications)
• Q3 2026: Residence permits for foreign nationals
• Q4 2026: Additional private sector credentials (loyalty cards, memberships)

eIDAS 2.0 Compliance Timeline

France must ensure France Identité meets all eIDAS 2.0 requirements by December 2026. The roadmap includes:

Completed Milestones

• April 2024: eIDAS 2.0 regulation signed into EU law
• May 2024: eIDAS 2.0 enters into force
• Late 2023: France Identité app launches on App Store and Google Play
• 2025: Carte Vitale integrated into France Identité
• November 2024: EU adopts implementing acts for EUDI Wallet technical specifications
• December 2024: France Identité sandbox released for early testing of PID (Person Identification Data) presentation

Upcoming Milestones

• March 2026: Digital proxy voting system launches for municipal elections
• Mid-2026: Cross-border eIDAS interoperability testing with other EU member states
• December 2026: Full eIDAS 2.0 compliance achieved (EU regulatory deadline)
• End of 2027: Financial institutions required to accept France Identité for KYC verification
• 2030 Target: 80% of French citizens using France Identité regularly (aligned with EU-wide EUDI Wallet adoption goal)

Cross-Border Use: France Identité Across the EU

Once full eIDAS 2.0 compliance is achieved by December 2026, France Identité will be recognized across all 27 EU member states for both government and private sector services. This cross-border functionality transforms the wallet from a national convenience into a truly European digital identity solution.

eIDAS Interoperability Gateway

France Identité will connect to the EU's eIDAS interoperability gateway, which enables:

• Mutual Recognition: French digital credentials accepted in all EU countries
• Attribute Mapping: Automatic translation of French identity attributes to formats required by other countries
• Assurance Levels: FranceConnect+ already provides eIDAS "substantial" and "high" assurance levels
• Privacy Preservation: Cross-border authentication without central tracking of your movements

Government Services in Other EU Countries

With your France Identité wallet, you will be able to access government services across the EU without needing to obtain local credentials:

Residence and Immigration

• Register for temporary residence in another EU country (work assignments, study abroad, retirement)
• Apply for residence permits without submitting physical document copies
• Prove legal residence when required by authorities
• Register address changes when moving between EU countries

Healthcare

• Access emergency healthcare in other EU countries using European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) integration
• Verify insurance coverage at hospitals and pharmacies abroad
• Obtain prescriptions that are recognized across EU borders
• Access medical records when receiving treatment outside France

Tax and Social Security

• File taxes in another EU country if you're a cross-border worker
• Prove social security contributions for pension rights
• Access unemployment benefits if you move to another EU country
• Transfer family allowance entitlements across borders

Transportation and Vehicles

• Register a vehicle in another EU country using French identity verification
• Prove driving license validity when stopped by police abroad
• Rent cars across the EU with digital license presentation
• Apply for international driving permits digitally

Business and Commerce

• Apply for business licenses in other EU member states
• Register as a self-employed worker in multiple countries
• Verify professional qualifications for cross-border work
• Access commercial registries and business databases

Private Sector Use Cases

Beyond government services, France Identité will be accepted by private companies across the EU:

Banking and Finance

• Account Opening: Open bank accounts in any EU country without in-person verification
• KYC Compliance: Banks can verify your identity remotely for anti-money laundering requirements
• Loan Applications: Apply for mortgages or personal loans in other EU countries
• Investment Services: Open brokerage accounts, invest in funds, trade securities across borders
• Payment Services: Register for cross-border payment platforms and digital wallets

Housing and Real Estate

• Sign rental agreements for apartments in other EU countries
• Verify identity for property purchases abroad
• Apply for utility services (electricity, water, internet) without physical documents
• Register with landlords and property management companies

Employment and Education

• Verify professional qualifications for cross-border employment
• Apply for jobs in other EU countries with credential verification
• Enroll in universities across the EU using digital identity
• Prove academic credentials for professional licensing

E-Commerce and Age Verification

• Age verification for online purchases across the EU (alcohol, tobacco, adult content)
• Identity verification for high-value online transactions
• Prove eligibility for country-specific discounts and benefits
• Hotel check-ins without surrendering your physical ID card

Cross-Border Testing and Interoperability

France is actively participating in EU-wide testing to ensure France Identité works seamlessly with other countries' EUDI Wallets:

Large Scale Pilots (LSPs)

• DC4EU: Digital Credentials for Europe pilot (education credentials)
• NOBID: Nordic-Baltic eID project (cross-border authentication)
• EWC: European Wallet Consortium (multi-use case testing)
• POTENTIAL: Pan-European pilot for cross-border services

Bilateral Testing

France is conducting bilateral interoperability tests with key partners:

• Germany: Testing FranceConnect+ with AusweisApp/Smart-eID for cross-border workers
• Belgium: Testing France Identité compatibility with MyGov.be for Belgian residents in France
• Spain: Testing cross-border use cases for tourism and seasonal workers
• Italy: Testing IT-Wallet integration for cross-border healthcare

Reciprocal Recognition

France's FranceConnect+ system already supports the eIDAS interoperability gateway, meaning citizens from other EU countries can use their national EUDI Wallets to access French government services. This reciprocal recognition is a cornerstone of the eIDAS 2.0 vision for a truly integrated European digital identity ecosystem.

Example Scenario: German Citizen in France

A German citizen using AusweisApp/Germany's EUDI wallet will be able to:

• Access French government services (tax portal, social security) via FranceConnect
• Open a bank account at a French bank using German digital identity
• Rent an apartment in Paris with digital identity verification
• Prove age when purchasing age-restricted products in French stores

This works in reverse: French citizens with France Identité can access German services using the same interoperability framework.

Cross-Border Timeline

• Mid-2026: Cross-border interoperability testing with pilot countries 🟡
• December 2026: eIDAS 2.0 compliance achieved, cross-border recognition begins 🟢
• 2027: Gradual expansion to all 27 EU member states 🟡
• End of 2027: Financial institutions across EU required to accept France Identité 🟢
• 2030: Full cross-border interoperability for all services (EU target) 🟡

Challenges and Readiness Concerns

Despite France's early progress, there are challenges that must be addressed before the December 2026 deadline.

Technical Standardization

The EU's implementing acts (adopted November 2024) define technical standards for credential formats, cryptographic protocols, and interoperability requirements. France Identité must ensure backward compatibility with existing features while adopting these new standards. Any mismatch could break existing integrations (like TGV tickets or FranceConnect authentication).

User Adoption Barriers

Reaching 5 million users requires overcoming:

• Digital Literacy: Not all citizens are comfortable with smartphone-based identity
• Device Compatibility: Older smartphones may lack NFC capabilities or secure elements
• Trust Concerns: Some citizens distrust digital government initiatives due to privacy fears
• Accessibility: Solutions needed for citizens without smartphones or with disabilities

Private Sector Integration

While government services have integrated well with FranceConnect, getting private companies to accept France Identité for customer verification requires:

• Clear legal frameworks defining liability for identity verification failures
• Easy-to-integrate APIs and SDKs for businesses
• Competitive pricing compared to existing KYC (Know Your Customer) providers

Official Resources & Support

For the latest information, troubleshooting, and support:

• France Identité Official Website - News, guides, and official announcements
• FranceConnect Documentation - Authentication system details and service provider integration guides
• France Identité on Google Play - Download the app for Android devices
• France Identité on App Store - Download the app for iOS devices
• Service Public - Digital ID Information - Government portal with citizen guides