🇭🇺EUDI Wallet Hungary: What We Know So Far

What We Know About Hungary's EUDI Wallet

Hungary, with a population of 10 million, is preparing to implement the European Digital Identity Wallet as required by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. While specific details about Hungary's EUDI Wallet implementation have not been officially announced, several facts are clear based on EU law and Hungary'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. Hungary must comply with this deadline.

Existing Authentication System (🟢 Verified)

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

Regulatory Deadline (🟡 Confirmed by Regulation)

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

Official Wallet Name (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

Hungary has not announced the official name for its EUDI Wallet. While "Digitális Állampolgár (DÁP)" is a logical name, this is speculation, not official confirmation. The wallet may integrate directly into the existing DÁP system or be branded separately.

Exact Launch Date (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Setup Process (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Expected Functionality Based on EU Standards

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

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

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

DÁP: Two Decades of Hungarian eGovernment

Hungary's DÁP (Client Gate) system, launched in 2005, is one of the longest-running electronic government authentication platforms in Central Europe. DÁP provides Hungarian citizens and businesses with a centralized login for accessing a wide range of government services online: tax filing through NAV (the National Tax and Customs Administration), social security inquiries, land registry lookups, company registration, and official document requests. Over the years, DÁP has become deeply embedded in Hungarian administrative life, with millions of registered users.

The original DÁP relied on a simple username-password combination, which by modern standards provides only a basic level of assurance. Recognizing this limitation, the government introduced DÁP+ (sometimes written as "DÁP Plus"), which adds two-factor authentication through a mobile authenticator app or hardware security token. The migration from DÁP to DÁP+ has been gradual, with the government encouraging but not yet mandating the upgrade for all users. The EUDI Wallet will bring yet another step up in security, offering cryptographic identity verification that meets the EU's highest assurance levels—effectively leapfrogging both DÁP versions in terms of security architecture.

eSzemélyi: Hungary's Electronic ID Card

Since January 2016, Hungary has issued the eSzemélyi (electronic personal identity card), a chip-enabled smart card that serves as both a physical ID document and a digital identity tool. The eSzemélyi's embedded chip stores biometric data (fingerprint templates and a digital facial image), cryptographic certificates for electronic identification, and certificates for creating qualified electronic signatures. The card uses contactless NFC technology, allowing it to be read by NFC-enabled smartphones and compatible card readers.

The eSzemélyi represents Hungary's most advanced national identity document to date. Citizens can use it to authenticate to government services (replacing or supplementing DÁP login), sign official documents with legal validity, and store personal identity data in a tamper-proof chip. However, adoption of the electronic features has been slower than anticipated—many citizens carry the eSzemélyi as a physical ID but have never activated its digital functions or used it with an NFC reader. For the EUDI Wallet, the eSzemélyi provides a important advantage: it contains the verified identity data (issued by the Central Document Office) that can be securely transferred to the wallet, enabling remote onboarding without a separate in-person identity check for those who have already been issued an eSzemélyi.

DÁP: Hungary's Digital Citizenship Programme

The Digitális Állampolgárság Program (DÁP, Digital Citizenship Programme) represents Hungary's strategic vision for modernizing digital government services and identity infrastructure. DÁP goes beyond simple digitization—it aims to create a coherent digital ecosystem where citizens can manage their identity, access services, and interact with government through mobile-first solutions. The programme encompasses the modernization of the DÁP platform, the expansion of eSzemélyi electronic functions, and the development of new mobile applications for government service access.

DÁP is significant for the EUDI Wallet because it signals that Hungary is actively investing in digital identity modernization, not merely reacting to the eIDAS 2.0 deadline. The programme's focus on mobile-first design aligns with the EUDI Wallet's requirement to be a smartphone-based solution. Key DÁP initiatives include developing a unified government app ecosystem, modernizing backend identity management systems, and creating interoperability between different government databases. The EUDI Wallet implementation is expected to fit within the broader DÁP framework, benefiting from the programme's investments in infrastructure and institutional capacity.

The Central Document Office (Központi Okmányiroda)

The Central Document Office, operating under the Ministry of the Interior, is the Hungarian government body responsible for issuing and managing identity documents, including personal ID cards (eSzemélyi), passports, driving licences, and address cards. The office maintains the national identity register that contains verified personal data for all Hungarian citizens and coordinates with the Kormányablak (Government Window) network for in-person document services.

For the EUDI Wallet, the Central Document Office's role is foundational. The office holds the authoritative source of identity data that will underpin EUDI Wallet credentials. When a Hungarian citizen activates their EUDI Wallet, the verified identity attributes (name, date of birth, nationality, photograph) will ultimately originate from the Central Document Office's registers. The quality and accuracy of this data is essential for ensuring that EUDI Wallet credentials are trustworthy and can be relied upon by service providers across all 27 EU member states.

Kormányablak: Physical Infrastructure for Digital Onboarding

Kormányablak ("Government Window") is Hungary's network of over 300 one-stop-shop government service centres, established as part of a major public administration reform to simplify citizen interactions with the state. Kormányablak offices handle a vast range of administrative tasks: passport and ID card applications, vehicle registration, address registration, business permits, social benefit applications, and more. The centres are designed to reduce bureaucratic complexity by allowing citizens to handle multiple government matters at a single location.

For the EUDI Wallet rollout, Kormányablak offices offer a ready-made physical assistance network. Citizens who are not comfortable with fully self-service digital onboarding—particularly older adults or those with limited smartphone experience—can visit a Kormányablak office for assisted wallet activation. Staff can help with identity verification, app installation, and initial setup. This hybrid approach (digital-first with physical backup) is important for ensuring that the EUDI Wallet reaches all segments of Hungary's population, not just the digitally confident.

Reassurance: All EU Countries Must Comply

If you're concerned about whether Hungary will deliver an EUDI Wallet, remember this: the December 2026 deadline applies equally to all 27 EU member states. Hungary is legally obligated to provide a wallet, just like every other country. With the DÁP system operating for two decades, the eSzemélyi chip infrastructure in place since 2016, the DÁP programme actively modernizing digital services, and the Kormányablak network providing physical support, Hungary has meaningful institutional foundations to build upon for its EUDI Wallet implementation.