The “Wallet” will initially combine key documents and then be gradually expanded. The Federal Minister for Digital Affairs considers this an important step for daily life and administration.
Starting January 2, 2027, citizens will be able to leave their physical ID cards at home and use their smartphone for identification. “We have set the date ourselves: January 2, 2027,” announced Federal Minister for Digital Affairs Karsten Wildberger (CDU) on the ZDF program Markus Lanz. The digital wallet, known as the Wallet, will initially include the ID card, driving license, vehicle registration certificate, and insurance cards.
Then, as is common with software, so-called releases will be issued, so that new documents will be added quarterly. “It will then become a very, very reliable wallet that you always have with you on your mobile phone, with the necessary security standards.” Documents that could be added include, for example, the health insurance card, diplomas, or the vaccination pass.
The Wallet will enable various everyday matters to be settled, Wildberger explained, mentioning, for example, opening bank accounts. “If I buy alcohol in the supermarket, I will be able to immediately confirm that I am of legal age when paying,” he added.
Previously, a specific launch date had not been named. It was only ever mentioned that the Wallet would launch at the end of 2026 or early 2027. This project is linked to an EU regulation that obligates all member states to provide at least one state-run identification app by 2027. Use remains voluntary. In EU countries such as Estonia, digital identification is already standard.
Chancellor Praises Digital Minister
Wildberger is Germany’s first Federal Minister for Digital Affairs. He is also responsible for modernizing the state and reducing bureaucracy. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz invited the manager from the business sector into his cabinet. At the Day of the Metal and Electrical Industry, he expressed particular praise for him a few days ago: “Karsten Wildberger, with what he is doing in this ministry, is one of the leading performers in our cabinet. He is doing a fantastic job,” Merz noted.
Source: dpa
Latest Posts
