🇱🇻EUDI Wallet Latvia: What We Know So Far

What We Know About Latvia's EUDI Wallet

Latvia, with a population of 2 million, is preparing to implement the European Digital Identity Wallet as required by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. While specific details about Latvia's EUDI Wallet implementation have not been officially announced, several facts are clear based on EU law and Latvia'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. Latvia must comply with this deadline.

Existing Authentication System (🟢 Verified)

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

Regulatory Deadline (🟡 Confirmed by Regulation)

The December 31, 2026 deadline is set by EU law. Latvia 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.

Latvia's eParaksts Ecosystem: A Strong Foundation

Latvia's digital identity story is largely the story of eParaksts. Launched and operated by LVRTC (Latvijas Valsts radio un televizijas centrs — the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre), eParaksts is one of the most mature electronic signature systems in the EU, providing Latvians with multiple ways to prove their identity and sign documents digitally.

eParaksts Product Family

The eParaksts ecosystem includes several distinct products. The eParaksts smart card is a physical card with an embedded chip that stores cryptographic keys, used with a card reader for desktop-based signing and authentication. The eParaksts mobile app, launched more recently, brings the same qualified signature capabilities to smartphones — users authenticate with a PIN and biometrics, then sign documents or log into services without needing a physical card reader. There is also eParaksts eID, which is embedded in Latvia's national identity cards, allowing every ID card holder to use their document for electronic authentication.

This product diversity means Latvian citizens already have experience with the concept of carrying a digital identity on their phone. The transition to an EUDI Wallet, which is fundamentally a mobile app for identity and credentials, builds on behavioral patterns that eParaksts mobile has already established. However, the EUDI Wallet will go beyond signing and authentication to include storage of verifiable credentials like driving licenses, diplomas, and professional qualifications — functionality that eParaksts does not currently provide.

LVRTC as National Trust Service Provider

LVRTC is a state-owned enterprise with a unique dual role: it operates Latvia's broadcast transmission infrastructure (radio and television towers) and serves as the national trust service provider for electronic identification. This unusual combination means the organization responsible for Latvia's digital identity infrastructure is deeply embedded in critical national communications infrastructure. LVRTC issues qualified certificates, operates the timestamp authority, and manages the technical backbone that makes eParaksts work.

Under eIDAS 2.0, each member state must designate entities to issue wallet credentials. LVRTC's existing role as a qualified trust service provider positions it as the natural candidate for this responsibility in Latvia. The organization already has the certification, technical infrastructure, and operational experience required to issue the cryptographic credentials that the EUDI Wallet relies on. Whether LVRTC will develop the wallet app itself or partner with a technology vendor for the user-facing application remains to be announced.

Latvija.lv: Latvia's Digital Services Hub

Latvia's central e-government portal, latvija.lv, serves as the single point of access for hundreds of government services. The portal processes over 8 million electronic transactions annually, covering everything from registering a business to applying for social benefits, checking pension contributions, or filing tax returns through the State Revenue Service (VID). latvija.lv currently accepts authentication via eParaksts, internet banking credentials from Latvian banks, and the eID card.

The scale of latvija.lv usage demonstrates both the opportunity and the challenge for EUDI Wallet integration. On one hand, Latvia already has a centralized gateway that brokers authentication — adding EUDI Wallet as another accepted credential is technically manageable because the gateway already handles multiple identity providers. On the other hand, millions of existing users have established workflows using their preferred login method (many use internet banking credentials for convenience), and migration to a new wallet system requires careful UX design to avoid disrupting established habits.

Implementation Timeline Considerations

Latvia's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) oversees digital transformation policy, including the national approach to eIDAS 2.0 compliance. As of early 2026, Latvia has not published a detailed implementation roadmap for the EUDI Wallet. The country participated in the EU-wide Large Scale Pilots (LSPs) that tested wallet prototypes across member states, which provided technical experience. However, moving from pilot participation to a production-ready national wallet deployment requires significant additional work in terms of legal framework adaptation, technical infrastructure, citizen onboarding processes, and integration with existing services.

Some digital identity observers have noted that Latvia, along with several other smaller EU member states, may face a compressed timeline for full wallet deployment. The country's strong eParaksts foundation provides technical capabilities, but the policy, procurement, and legislative steps needed to launch a compliant EUDI Wallet are substantial. Latvia's approach may involve initially offering a wallet with core functionality (identity verification and authentication) and progressively adding credential types (driving license, diplomas) in subsequent releases through 2027.

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 Latvia authorities:

Official Wallet Name (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Exact Launch Date (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Setup Process (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Expected Functionality Based on EU Standards

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

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

1. Ensure you have a valid Latvia ID card or passport — these will likely be required to activate the digital wallet
2. Familiarize yourself with eParaksts — Latvia's existing digital authentication system may be integrated with the EUDI Wallet
3. Try the eParaksts mobile app — if you haven't already, downloading and setting up eParaksts mobile will give you experience with phone-based digital identity, which is conceptually similar to how the EUDI Wallet will work
4. Monitor official sources — Check www.latvija.lv for government announcements
5. Don't worry about missing the deadline — The wallet is optional; you can continue using physical documents

Reassurance: All EU Countries Must Comply

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