Disclaimer: The data presented in this analysis is sourced via https://apps.similarweb.com. These figures provide a unified comparative metric across markets and may differ from actual adoption or usage statistics reported by national authorities.

2026 marks the start of an ultimate countdown for digital identity.

The Authologic eID Adoption Race series aims to capture a pivotal moment: Europe is on the verge of the most significant shift in how we verify who we are.

To be clear: this is not an audit of wallet compliance with eIDAS 2.0 regulations. Solutions fully aligned with the new EU standard are not yet live. Instead, our analysis reviews current adoption and user habits within existing eID applications (such as mObywatel, Diia, or MitID). 

We do this because today’s user experience and digitisation levels will be the bedrock for the future success or failure of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet).

EUDI Wallet: More than just a login

Before diving into market metrics, it is vital to understand the EU's objective. 

The wallet defined by eIDAS 2.0 is a secure, regulated container for (amongst others):

• PID (Person Identification Data): Your core identity data.
• EAA (Electronic Attestations of Attributes): Digital credentials such as driving licences, diplomas, professional qualifications, and insurance attestations.

For businesses such as banks, telcos, or e-commerce platforms, the EUDI Wallet will become a critical tool for onboarding, KYC/KYB, and age verification. 

It will not just be a login button, but a comprehensive provider of verified data.

27 vs 38: Avoiding digital exclusion

While eIDAS 2.0 mandates wallet implementation for the 27 EU Member States, our analysis covers 38 European countries. 

Why? Because of interoperability. 

Non-EU nations such as Switzerland and Moldova are already aligning their systems with EU standards to ensure their citizens remain integrated into the European digital market and that their documents are recognised by companies and institutions across the EU.

Current state analysis: Where does the market stand?

Here’s how things look across the dimensions we analyzed:

1. App Reach – Winning the installation battle

Reach indicates how many people already have a digital ID on their phone. This metric focuses primarily on state-led applications and is market-specific.

Non-EU countries lead: Turkey (55.5%) and Ukraine (49.6%), showing the power of state-led models in rapidly scaling a user base. Within the EU, Poland (~33%) is a frontrunner, outperforming many Western European markets. 

2. App Usage – The "utility trap"

This metric indicates app daily usage among monthly active users. Again, this metric focuses primarily on state-led applications and is market-specific.

True digitisation happens when an app becomes a daily tool. 

If it is only opened once a year for tax returns, it falls into the Utility Trap. 

3. The ultimate metric: Reach vs. Usage

This intersection reveals the true maturity of digital habits. Chart below presents apps activation gaps on the crossroads Reach x Usage. 

Our analysis uncovered three fascinating correlations:

• Market Size vs Engagement: 

Smaller markets build habits more effectively. 

Countries with fewer than 5 million adults achieve an average usage rate of 14.3%, double that of large countries (7.9%). A smaller scale allows for faster closure of the service ecosystem.

• The Late-Mover Advantage: 

Countries in the Transition phase show higher average activity (12.8%) than those considered Advanced (8.9%). 

This suggests newer systems learn from the mistakes of pioneers, being designed for daily needs such as banking and mobility rather than just e-administration. 

Alternatively, users in these rapidly evolving digital economies may be more eager to adopt new technologies as part of their daily routine.

• Operating Model vs Loyalty: 

Private-led and Hybrid models, despite a tougher start in building reach, generate the highest user retention. Wallets that began as commercial solutions had time to develop strong adoption and robust use cases. 

Integrating eID with daily commercial services is the most effective cure for low activity.

"The Sleeping Giant": Germany is a textbook example of the "utility trap". The country has over 23 million eID app downloads (33.2% reach), yet usage is only 4.8%. The infrastructure exists, but without daily private-sector use cases, it remains dormant potential. Adoption is further hampered by a high barrier to entry and cumbersome onboarding.

Why Scandinavian countries don’t appear in the data

A striking feature of the data is the lack of results for official state apps in countries like Sweden or Norway. 

It’s because in these markets, digital identity is almost entirely integrated with banking. Banks are often reluctant to share data, and entities wishing to use these solutions are subject to strict vetting. Because citizens use banking apps for everything from tax portals to payments, SimilarWeb does not classify them as state eID apps and lacks access to actual performance data. 

In reality, these are the most digitised countries in Europe, but their success is built on private rails rather than government wallets.

Market models and readiness for change

A country's dominant model directly dictates its "starting blocks" for the EUDI Wallet:

• Private-led (The King of Engagement): These markets, with 13.2% usage, are best prepared for EUDI’s commercial applications.
• State-led (The Power of Distribution): While usage is moderate at 10.6%, this model dominates in Reach. The State is the most effective marketer of eID. The lesson here is the need for private-sector collaboration. Notably, the Level of Assurance (LoA) is often higher here than in private wallets, making the entry threshold more challenging.
• The Struggling Hybrid: Markets combining public and private solutions, such as Belgium (7.9%) and the Netherlands (9.1%), show the lowest activity. Users often have access to multiple wallets, but inconsistent acceptance by relying parties reduces usability and confidence, limiting real-world usage.

eIDAS 2.0: Two key catalysts

We are moving from pilots to production-grade solutions with two key advantages to overcome low activity:

1. Selective Disclosure (ZKP - Zero-Knowledge Proofs): Proving facts such as being over 18 without revealing a full identity. This lowers privacy barriers in commercial transactions and aligns with age-verification requirements, such as those recently introduced in Australia.
2. Mandatory Acceptance: Large platforms, banks, and key sectors must accept the EUDI Wallet. This solves the chicken and egg problem of utility from day one.

Conclusion: Bridging technology and habit

The wait and see phase is over. 

With over 360 million adult users in the EU alone, the foundation for the EUDI Wallet is laid. However, our eID Adoption Race analysis proves that technology and regulation are not enough.

The winner will not be the country that drafts laws the fastest, but the one that bridges the gap between reach and real-world usage. Success requires moving beyond public administration to create a tool as intuitive and essential as Scandinavian banking apps or the eID super-apps of Ukraine and Turkey.

The key is a frictionless user journey and an entry threshold that avoids complex authentication. Current hurdles in France or Germany, such as requiring in-person visits, directly stifle adoption. Even with a mandatory High LoA (Level of Assurance), the onboarding process to the app must be digital. 

True digitisation begins where compulsion and complexity end, and where daily convenience and security begin.

Explore the apps shaping today’s market: 

Sources & References

• Authologic Market Analysis (2026): The European eID Landscape: Benchmarking Adoption across 32 European Markets. https://apps.similarweb.com/
• European Commission (2026): User Research Report (NiScy). EC Digital Building Blocks
• Large Scale Pilots (LSPs) Performance Reports (2025): Efficiency benchmarks from POTENTIAL and EWC consortia
• eIDAS 2.0 Regulatory Framework: Regulation (EU) 2024/1183