December deadline falls to Ireland
Ireland holds the presidency of the Council of the EU as a December deadline approaches for every Member State to offer an EU Digital Identity Wallet to citizens, residents and businesses. The European Commission states the position plainly: "Member States will make wallets available to every citizen, resident and business by the end of 2026."
Writing in The Irish Times on October 26th, HSE digital adviser Gar Mac Críosta said: "One long-standing objective and policy priority that falls directly during our watch is the provision for an EU Digital Identity Wallet for all citizens and businesses by December of this year." He described Ireland's presidency priorities as wide in scope, with some issues to be resolved now and others passing to Lithuania and Greece through 2027.
The wallet date comes from EU law rather than the presidency programme alone. Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 establishing the European Digital Identity Framework has entered into force, and the Commission's implementing guidance says the framework mandates Member States to provide wallets by the end of 2026 in line with the Regulation and Implementing Regulations adopted. For people in Ireland, the practical question is whether a State-backed digital wallet will be available this year to prove identity and share verified documents online and in person.