What is electronic identification (eID)?
Electronic identification is the process of digitally verifying a person’s identity to allow secure access to online services or to confirm identity remotely. It enables individuals to prove who they are using electronic means instead of physical documents. In the EU, electronic identification is governed by the eIDAS Regulation, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with GDPR and AML5 by enabling secure, cross-border ID verification and digital identity checks.
How does electronic identification work?
Electronic identification, often abbreviated as eID, enables individuals and businesses to prove their identity online through secure, verified methods. This process may include biometric checks, scanning identity documents, facial recognition, or using government-issued electronic IDs. Under the eIDAS Regulation, electronic identification schemes that meet EU standards can be used across all member states for accessing public services, signing contracts, or verifying identity in private sector applications.
The rise of remote services, digital onboarding, and cross-border business has made electronic identification essential. It simplifies access to digital platforms, reduces identity fraud, and improves user experience while ensuring that ID verification and digital identity checks are performed in a secure and legally compliant way.
Trust service providers (TSPs), such as Evrotrust, offer eID solutions that meet the high-assurance standards required by eIDAS, helping businesses stay compliant with GDPR and AML5 while reducing manual processes and onboarding time.
Electronic identification is foundational for enabling secure digital ecosystems, whether you’re logging into a government portal, opening a bank account, or remotely signing a contract. It ensures that the person on the other side of the screen is exactly who they claim to be.
Key characteristics
- Enables secure, remote ID verification using electronic means
- Legally recognized under the EU eIDAS Regulation
- Facilitates digital identity checks with varying levels of assurance (low, substantial, high)
- Supports cross-border identity recognition within the EU and EEA
- Can involve biometric verification, document checks, or government-issued eIDs
- Plays a key role in GDPR compliance and AML5 due diligence
- Used by both public administrations and private companies for authentication and access
Examples
- A user accesses their national tax portal using a digital identity issued in another EU country through eIDAS interoperability
- A bank performs an electronic identification and ID verification process to onboard a new customer remotely
- An online lending platform verifies a borrower’s digital identity through a selfie and ID document scan
- A healthcare provider authenticates patients using electronic identification before granting access to medical records
- A corporate user logs into an internal system using a qualified digital identity from a certified trust service provider
Related terms
- Digital identity
- eIDAS
- ID verification
- Qualified trust service provider (QTSP)
- AML5 (Anti-Money Laundering Directive)
References
EUR-Lex – eIDAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 910/2014)