Opinion: Digital ID will change how business is done in 2026. Businesses must adapt or lose

Core Insights - A significant transformation in digital identity is occurring across the EU, driven by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, which mandates that all Member States provide at least one government-approved digital identity wallet by the end of 2026 [1] Group 1: Impact on Citizens and Businesses - Verified digital credentials will become integral to everyday transactions, affecting various sectors from government services to banking and travel [2] - The transition from a public-sector initiative to a standard for organizations across multiple industries signifies a major shift in operational practices [2] Group 2: Adaptation Requirements for Enterprises - Businesses must adapt their onboarding and compliance processes to securely accept digital identities, as failure to do so may result in being left behind in the competitive landscape [3] - Digital IDs streamline identity verification by reducing manual steps, thus enhancing the efficiency of existing verification methods [4][5] Group 3: Advantages of Digital Identity - Digital identities facilitate direct sharing of trusted attributes from an individual's wallet, minimizing delays and errors associated with traditional document verification [6] - The model of selective disclosure allows organizations to request only necessary information, thereby protecting user privacy and reducing compliance burdens [7]