1. What Is Cross-Border Identity Matching and How Does It Work?

Cross-border identity matching refers to the process where a person uses their EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) (or another recognized eID method) to access a public or educational service in another EU Member State, and their identity is verified by matching it with the existing records in the service provider’s database.

2. General Steps in the Matching Process:

  1. The user accesses a foreign online service using their EUDI Wallet

  2. The wallet sends basic personal identity data (PID) to the service provider

  3. The service provider compares this data with its internal registry (e.g., prior student enrollment or government database)

  4. Outcome:

    • If matched: access is granted

    • If not matched: fallback options such as re-try, manual verification, or new registration are offered

3. What Data Is Used?

According to Regulations EU 2024/2977 and EU 2015/1501, the following data is used:

3.1. Mandatory PID Attributes:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Nationality

  • Unique personal identifier (PID)

3.2. Optional (context-dependent) Attributes:

  • Address

  • Gender

  • National ID number

4. Legal and Technical Regulations Involved:

Regulation Purpose
EU 2025/846 Defines the core rules for identity matching across EU countries
EU 2024/2977 Covers the issuance of personal identity data and attribute attestations
EU 2015/1501 Older regulation on eID interoperability and cross-border matching
EU 2024/2979 Defines wallet integrity and security requirements
GDPR (EU 2016/679) Governs personal data protection and privacy
eIDAS 2.0 Regulation Framework for digital identity and trust services in the EU

5. Privacy and Security Requirements:

  • The process must be minimally invasive – only necessary data should be shared

  • All data must be encrypted and exchanged over secure channels

  • The result of the matching must be logged, but the underlying data should not be retained longer than necessary

6. Deadlines:

All EU Member States are required to:

  • Implement national digital identity wallets

  • Establish cross-border matching systems within 24 months of the entry into force of eIDAS 2.0


7. Challenges in Research and Education Sector



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