🇧🇪 Status: Live Since May 2024 - First in EU
MyGov.be launched May 2024, making Belgium the first EU member state with a production EUDI Wallet. Dual authentication via eID card or itsme app. Currently supporting multiple document types with expansion ongoing.
Verification Level: complete • Last Updated: 2026-01-29
First Mover Advantage: May 2024 Launch
Leading EU Digital Identity Implementation
Belgium launch in May 2024 - two and a half years before the eIDAS 2.0 regulatory deadline of December 2026 - demonstrates exceptional preparation and execution. This early launch provides Belgium with operational experience other EU countries cannot yet match.
First Mover Benefits
- • Real-world production experience
- • User feedback during development
- • Operational lessons for EU
- • Early relying party adoption
Timeline Comparison
- • Belgium: May 2024 (launched)
- • France: Live and scaling
- • Germany: Early 2027
- • Netherlands: Late 2026
Current Status
- • Available on App Store & Play
- • Multiple document types supported
- • Growing user base
- • Continuous feature expansion
Technical Architecture
Dual Authentication System
MyGov.be implements dual authentication, offering users choice between two proven methods:
Belgian eID Card
Belgium national electronic identity card, in use since 2004. Over 20 years operational experience. Uses chip-based PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) for secure authentication.
Activation: NFC card reading with PIN verification
itsme Integration
itsme is Belgium widely-adopted private sector digital identity app. Operated by Belgian Mobile ID consortium (Belgian banks + telecommunications companies). Millions of Belgian users already have itsme accounts.
Activation: Log in with existing itsme app credentials
Why Dual Authentication Matters
Offering both eID card and itsme authentication provides strategic advantages:
- ✓User Choice: Users select authentication method matching their existing habits and preferences
- ✓Easy Transition: itsme users (millions) can activate without learning new authentication processes
- ✓Redundancy: If one authentication method temporarily unavailable, users can use alternative
- ✓Bridge Public-Private: itsme integration connects government wallet with private sector ecosystem
itsme Ecosystem Integration
Leveraging Existing Private Sector Infrastructure
itsme integration provides MyGov.be with immediate connection to Belgium private sector digital ecosystem. Banks, telecom providers, insurance companies, and retailers already accept itsme for authentication.
itsme Foundation
- • Belgian Mobile ID consortium
- • Backed by major Belgian banks
- • Telecom partner integration
- • Millions of existing users
- • Proven private sector adoption
MyGov.be Benefits
- • Instant user base access
- • No authentication training needed
- • Private sector acceptance ready
- • Easy banking integration
- • Retail/commerce connections
Public-Private Sector Bridge
MyGov.be itsme integration creates unique bridge between government and private sectors:
- •Banking Sector: Belgian banks already accept itsme for account access and transactions, making MyGov.be banking integration straightforward
- •Telecom Providers: itsme used for mobile contract verification, providing template for MyGov.be telecom integration
- •E-Commerce: Retail platforms accepting itsme can extend support to MyGov.be with minimal technical changes
- •Healthcare: Medical portals using itsme authentication can integrate MyGov.be for healthcare credential verification
Current Document Support
Available Credentials (May 2024 Launch)
📇 Identity Card Data
Digital representation of Belgian identity card including name, date of birth, national register number, address, and photo.
Use Cases: Age verification, identity proof, government service access
💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Records
Vaccination history and certificates compatible with EU Digital COVID Certificate standards.
Use Cases: Travel, health verification, event access
📜 Birth Certificates
Digital birth certificates verified by Belgian civil registry, acceptable for official procedures.
Use Cases: Marriage applications, passport renewal, legal procedures
💑 Marriage Certificates
Digital marriage certificates from Belgian civil registry with official verification.
Use Cases: Name changes, legal procedures, benefit applications
🏥 ISI+ Healthcare Card
Belgian social insurance card (Informations Sociales de l\\'Individu) for healthcare access and reimbursement.
Use Cases: Doctor visits, pharmacy, hospital admission, insurance claims
🚀 More Coming
Additional credentials being added progressively to achieve full eIDAS 2.0 compliance by December 2026.
Planned: Driving license, professional certificates, educational diplomas
Architecture Comparison
| Feature | Belgium MyGov.be | France Identité | Netherlands NL-wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | May 2024 - First | Live, scaling to 5M | Late 2026 expected |
| Authentication | eID card OR itsme (dual) | FranceConnect | DigiD |
| Private Sector Link | itsme ecosystem | FranceConnect partners | DigiD enterprise |
| Document Types | 5+ types (expanding) | ID, license, health card | In development |
| Production Experience | 20+ months | Live deployment | Not yet launched |
Deployment & Scaling Strategy
Progressive Rollout
Initial Launch
MyGov.be launched with core credentials: ID data, COVID records, civil documents, ISI+ card
Feature Expansion
Progressive addition of credentials and features, user base growth, relying party onboarding
Full eIDAS 2.0 Compliance
MyGov.be meets all eIDAS 2.0 regulatory requirements, 2.5 years operational experience
Mandatory VLOP Acceptance
Very Large Online Platforms must accept MyGov.be credentials EU-wide
Security & Compliance
Belgian eID Card Security Heritage
MyGov.be builds on 20+ years Belgian eID card security infrastructure:
- ✓PKI Infrastructure: Chip-based public key infrastructure proven over two decades of operation
- ✓PIN Protection: eID card authentication requires user PIN, preventing unauthorized access if card lost
- ✓Certificate Authorities: Belgian government operates certificate authority infrastructure for identity verification
- ✓Cross-Border Recognition: Belgian eID recognized across EU for government services authentication
itsme Security Standards
itsme provides bank-grade security operated by financial sector consortium:
- ✓Banking Standards: Security requirements established by Belgian banking sector participants
- ✓Multi-Factor Auth: itsme implements multi-factor authentication for high-security transactions
- ✓Fraud Detection: Banking consortium provides fraud monitoring and incident response capabilities
- ✓Regulatory Compliance: itsme meets Belgian financial sector regulatory requirements including PSD2
Why Belgium Approach Matters
🚀 First Mover Experience
20+ months production operation (since May 2024) provides Belgium with operational insights other EU countries lack. Issues discovered and resolved in real deployment rather than pilot testing.
Early launch positions Belgium as reference implementation for other EU member states developing their EUDI Wallets.
🏗️ itsme Ecosystem
Integration with itsme provides immediate private sector connectivity. Banks, insurers, telecom providers, retailers already accepting itsme can extend support to MyGov.be efficiently.
itsme millions of existing users transition to MyGov.be without authentication learning curve, accelerating adoption.
🔐 Dual Authentication Choice
Offering both eID card and itsme authentication maximizes user accessibility. Users without itsme can use eID card; users preferring mobile-first can use itsme. Choice reduces adoption friction.
Dual authentication provides redundancy if one method temporarily unavailable, ensuring continuous wallet access.
📱 Multi-Document Support
MyGov.be already supports 5+ document types, demonstrating capability to manage diverse credentials beyond basic ID. Healthcare (ISI+), civil registry (birth/marriage), and health records show broad implementation scope.
Progressive document addition demonstrates Belgium commitment to complete wallet functionality beyond minimum compliance.
MyGov.be: Leading EU Implementation
Belgium May 2024 launch demonstrates leadership in EU digital identity. First country with production EUDI Wallet, providing operational template for other member states.