🇸🇮EUDI Wallet Slovenia: What We Know So Far

What We Know About Slovenia's EUDI Wallet

Slovenia, 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 Slovenia's EUDI Wallet implementation have not been officially announced, several facts are clear based on EU law and Slovenia'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. Slovenia must comply with this deadline.

Existing Authentication System (🟢 Verified)

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

Regulatory Deadline (🟡 Confirmed by Regulation)

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

Official Wallet Name (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Exact Launch Date (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Setup Process (⚠️ Not Yet Announced)

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

Expected Functionality Based on EU Standards

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

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

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

SI-PASS: Slovenia's Unified Authentication Gateway

Slovenia launched SI-PASS (Slovenian Authentication System) in 2018, creating a centralized authentication hub that connects citizens to all government digital services through a single set of credentials. SI-PASS replaced the earlier fragmented approach where each government agency maintained its own login system. The platform is operated under the authority of the Ministry of Public Administration and is now overseen by the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDP), which was established to consolidate Slovenia's digital governance efforts.

SI-PASS supports three authentication methods at different assurance levels. The highest level uses qualified digital certificates stored on the Slovenian ID card or on a separate cryptographic token, meeting the eIDAS "high" assurance standard. The intermediate level uses smsPASS, a mobile-based two-factor authentication method where the citizen's phone number serves as a second factor alongside a password. The basic level uses username and password with email verification. For the EUDI Wallet, which requires "high" assurance, the certificate-based or card-based authentication pathway through SI-PASS is the most relevant.

smsPASS Mobile Authentication: A Bridge to Mobile Identity

smsPASS is Slovenia's mobile authentication method, integrated into SI-PASS, that enables citizens to access government services using their smartphone without needing a physical card reader. When a citizen authenticates via smsPASS, they enter their password on the government service website, then receive an SMS with a one-time code on their registered mobile phone. This two-factor approach provides a "substantial" assurance level under eIDAS.

The relevance of smsPASS to the EUDI Wallet lies in the behavioral pattern it establishes. Slovenian citizens who use smsPASS are already accustomed to mobile-first government authentication -- they expect to use their phone as a key to public services. This behavioral readiness is valuable for EUDI Wallet adoption, as the wallet is fundamentally a smartphone application. Slovenia's experience with smsPASS suggests that the transition from "authenticate via SMS on your phone" to "authenticate via the EUDI Wallet app on your phone" will feel natural to many users rather than alien.

Ministry of Digital Transformation and Strategic Leadership

Slovenia established a dedicated Ministry of Digital Transformation (Ministrstvo za digitalno preobrazbo / MDP) to coordinate the country's digital strategy, including the implementation of EU digital regulations like eIDAS 2.0. Having a ministry-level body responsible for digital transformation -- rather than a subordinate agency within a larger ministry -- signals strong political commitment to digital governance. Not all EU member states have elevated digital transformation to ministerial status.

The MDP oversees Slovenia's participation in the EU's Large Scale Pilot (LSP) programs for the EUDI Wallet, where member states collaborate on testing interoperability scenarios. Slovenia has been involved in cross-border testing of digital identity credentials with neighboring countries, particularly relevant given its geographic position at the junction of Germanic, Romance, and Slavic Europe. These pilot programs help ensure that when the EUDI Wallet launches, Slovenian credentials will work smoothly in Austria, Italy, Hungary, and beyond.

Slovenia's Qualified Electronic Signature Heritage

Slovenia was one of the earliest EU member states to adopt qualified electronic signatures (QES) for routine government interactions. The country's SIGEN-CA certification authority, operated by the state, has been issuing qualified certificates to citizens since the early 2000s. Commercial trust service providers like Halcom complement SIGEN-CA by offering qualified certificates for businesses and professionals. This longstanding QES ecosystem means Slovenia has over two decades of experience with the trust services framework that underpins the EUDI Wallet.

Slovenian citizens regularly use qualified electronic signatures for submitting tax declarations through the eDavki portal, filing documents with the court system via the eSodstvo platform, and registering businesses through the SPOT (Slovenska poslovna točka) one-stop shop. The EUDI Wallet will include a built-in qualified electronic signature function, meaning it will subsume and simplify much of what Slovenians already do with separate certificate tools. For a country that already signs documents digitally as a matter of routine, the EUDI Wallet represents an upgrade in convenience rather than a conceptual shift.

Cross-Border Relevance: Living at Europe's Crossroads

Slovenia's geographic position makes cross-border digital identity exceptionally practical. The country shares borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia -- all EU member states that will implement EUDI Wallets. Many Slovenians live and work in border regions where daily life involves crossing between countries: commuting from Nova Gorica to work in Gorizia, Italy; shopping in Graz, Austria from Maribor; or accessing healthcare in neighboring regions through EU cross-border healthcare directives.

The EUDI Wallet's cross-border recognition feature is particularly valuable in this context. A Slovenian citizen living near the Italian border could use their wallet to verify their identity at an Italian bank, sign a rental contract in Austria, or prove their health insurance status at a Hungarian hospital. This cross-border functionality is not hypothetical -- it is a binding requirement of eIDAS 2.0, and Slovenia's active participation in cross-border pilot programs demonstrates the country's commitment to making it work in practice.

Reassurance: All EU Countries Must Comply

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