In accordance with the EU eIDAS Regulation Germany became the first country to pre-notify the European Commission of the online ID function (eID) of the German national identity card and electronic residence permit.
This is considered as a big step towards establishing electronic identity and trust services in Europe.
On 20 February Commissioner shared in his blog:
“Today's move represents the first step towards moving Europe from a patchwork of national online markets to an integrated DSM - where commercial and public services can flow easily and seamlessly across borders.”
The German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik) describes the notification process. It is also reminded that “As of 29 September 2018 and after completion of the notification process, all EU Member States are obliged to open up their electronic administrative procedures for use with the German eID. Companies within the EU's territory may also recognise the German eID on a voluntary basis.”
Get to know more about the e-Identification in Europe.
Read also Commissioner Andrew Ansip full blog post on Germany’s significant step.
Sources: European Commission, Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik