EU eIDAS 2.0 Regulation Scrutinized for Gaps and Self‑Sovereign Identity Alignment

Global: EU eIDAS 2.0 Regulation Scrutinized for Gaps and Self‑Sovereign Identity Alignment

A research article posted on arXiv in January 2026 examines the European Union’s eIDAS 2.0 Regulation, outlining its principal provisions, identifying legislative gaps, and evaluating how the emerging European Digital Identity Architecture aligns with Self‑Sovereign Identity (SSI) concepts. The study was authored by scholars focusing on digital identity policy and is intended to inform policymakers, technologists, and standards bodies about potential implementation challenges.

Historical Context of EU Digital Identity

The original eIDAS framework, rooted in the Electronic Signatures Directive 1999/93/EC, established the first EU‑wide legal basis for electronic signatures and cross‑border digital transactions. Over the ensuing two decades, the eIDAS 1.0 regime faced criticism for limited scope, fragmented standards, and insufficient support for emerging decentralized technologies.

Drivers Behind eIDAS 2.0

Advances in cryptographic methods, blockchain‑based identity solutions, and growing demand for interoperable digital services prompted the EU to draft eIDAS 2.0. According to the authors, the revision aims to create a more comprehensive, security‑focused, and interoperable environment for digital identities across member states.

Key Provisions and Legislative Gaps

The paper highlights several core provisions of eIDAS 2.0, including mandatory security certifications, expanded trust‑service provider categories, and enhanced user‑centred consent mechanisms. However, the authors note gaps such as ambiguous definitions of data portability, limited guidance on cross‑jurisdictional enforcement, and insufficient accommodation of decentralized identity models.

European Digital Identity Architecture Overview

The European Digital Identity Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF) proposes a layered architecture, standard APIs, and governance structures intended to operationalize eIDAS 2.0. The authors assess the ARF’s technical guidelines and find that while it encourages modularity, concrete implementation roadmaps for SSI‑compatible wallets and verifiable credentials remain underdeveloped.

Self‑Sovereign Identity Considerations

When comparing eIDAS 2.0 with SSI principles—user control, decentralization, and verifiable credentials—the study observes partial convergence. Regulatory language supports user‑controlled identifiers, yet the reliance on centralized trust‑service providers may limit full SSI realization.

Implementation Challenges and Prospects

The authors conclude that successful deployment will require coordinated standard‑setting, clear liability frameworks, and robust cross‑border recognition mechanisms. They recommend further stakeholder consultation to bridge identified legislative gaps and to align the ARF more closely with SSI‑friendly architectures.

This report is based on information from arXiv, licensed under Academic Preprint / Open Access. Based on the abstract of the research paper. Full text available via ArXiv.