EU Council endorses negotiating position on European business wallets

Economy & Policy, Europe-Asia

BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — The Council of the European Union has formally adopted its negotiating stance on the creation of European business wallets (EBWs), a digital identity solution designed to streamline and secure business interactions across the bloc.

The initiative, built on the eIDAS2 framework, will allow companies to digitalise operations that currently require in‑person processing. By offering a harmonised European solution, EBWs will enable secure cross‑border communication and document exchange, reducing administrative burdens and strengthening the single market.

Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus, Nicodemos Damianou, hailed the agreement as “a key building block of Europe’s digital future” and central to the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap. He stressed that the Council is on track to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026, in line with commitments made at the March 2026 European Council.

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With EBWs, companies will be able to verify identities digitally, create and share trusted documents such as licenses and permits, sign and seal documents electronically, delegate legal authority, and communicate securely with businesses or public administrations.

The Council’s position introduces several safeguards and clarifications: EBWs will complement rather than replace national systems; digital actions will be legally recognised but subject to national requirements; powers of attorney remain unaffected; and stricter authorisation thresholds for EBW providers have been set to enhance cybersecurity. National supervisory bodies will now have up to 60 days to review provider applications, with streamlined timelines for clarity.

Having reached a general approach, the Council will now begin negotiations with the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative procedure once Parliament adopts its position.