European Digital Identity: Mexedia Positions Itself Ahead of 2027 Deadline
In a press release published on August 21, 2026, Mexedia S.p.A. Società Benefit discusses the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 on European digital identity and outlines its positioning in the telecommunications sector, which is subject to the obligation to accept the digital wallet.
Two Regulatory Deadlines: December 2026 and December 2027
Mexedia recalls that the European digital identity timeline is fixed. By December 24, 2026, each Member State must make available to its citizens at least one digital identity wallet compliant with European technical standards.
From December 24, 2027 onwards, the obligation extends to the private sector. Large and medium-sized enterprises required by law or by contract to use strong user authentication for access to their online services (in particular banking and financial services, energy, transport, health and telecommunications) must accept the wallet when the citizen chooses to use it.
The company clarifies that this is not a commercial option, but an obligation of recognition. It also notes that implementation is progressing at different rates depending on the Member State, an asymmetry that is set to weigh on companies operating in multiple markets.
Italian Advance and Acceptance Obligation in Telecommunications
Mexedia emphasizes that Italy is in an advanced position, with a Digital Wallet System established by Decree-Law No. 19 of March 2, 2024, converted by Law No. 56 of April 29, 2024, and operational as a component of the IO application. Since December 2024, citizens and residents can store their driving license, health card and European disability card in digital form.
The national pathway remains distinct from the European pathway, with compliance with the EUDI standard and full cross-border interoperability still being finalized. Telecommunications are among the sectors subject to the acceptance obligation, and Mexedia specifies that it is monitoring the adoption of implementing acts and the evolution of interoperability standards on the regulated markets where the Group operates.
Anna Lisa Trulli, Benefit Unit Officer at Mexedia, states that "Europe is building not only new digital tools, but a common infrastructure of legal and technological trust", adding that "digital identity ceases to be a purely technical or administrative matter to become a component of the single market".
