EUDI Wallet + Apple and Google Wallet: Faster entry through digital identity
Personalized tickets meet digital identity
Personalized tickets have become common to curb the black market: only the person whose name is on the ticket and who can present ID is granted entry. Concerts by major stars (e.g., Ed Sheeran) have enforced this strictly fans without matching ID were left outside despite having a valid ticket. This measure increases security but leads to time-consuming ID checks at entrances.
Smartphone tickets via Apple Wallet or Google Wallet have long been standard in parallel. They allow tickets to be stored digitally on the phone (alongside credit cards, boarding passes, etc.) and scanned quickly at the entrance via QR code or NFC. In addition, push notifications can be sent and location- or time-based updates displayed, such as "Faster entry at Gate A" or "10% discount on merchandise today!"
In short: mobile tickets offer convenience and marketing opportunities but do not replace ID checks for personalized tickets.
This is where the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) comes in. It is part of the revised eIDAS 2.0 regulation and aims to provide every EU citizen with a recognized digital wallet for IDs by the end of 2026. Official documents (ID card, driver’s license, etc.) and certificates can be securely stored in it. With the EUDI Wallet, you can legally identify yourself online and offline, sharing only the data necessary for the purpose (data minimization). From 2027, certain industries (e.g., banks, telecoms and insurance) will be required to accept such wallet IDs which is a sign that digital identity is reliable enough for business processes. For event organizers, there is no obligation yet, but the opportunity is obvious: digitize the analog ID check.
How does this work in practice? Similar to "Login with Google" or comparable mechanisms, the ticket shop or event app initiates an identity request: the visitor is directed to the EUDI Wallet app via click or QR code and releases the requested attributes there (e.g., name, age confirmation) - protected by PIN or fingerprint. The wallet transmits the verified data cryptographically to the ticket service, which checks and stores it. This process takes only a few seconds. The personalized ticket is then issued, now with an embedded "ID OK." At the entrance, the guest scans their ticket on their smartphone and the system knows from the prior verification that this code belongs to a real person X. Showing an ID card or passport is completely eliminated.
Advantages: Efficiency, Security, Experience
The combination of EUDI identity and wallet ticket offers several tangible benefits:
- Faster entry, fewer queues: Without manual ID checks, the check-in process becomes significantly quicker. Entry turns into a one-step scan. Place the ticket, green light, done. Especially at large events with thousands of visitors, this greatly reduces waiting times and stress. Guests get into the stadium or hall faster, boosting satisfaction.
- High security & fraud protection: Each ticket holder’s identity is officially verified and cryptographically confirmed, making fraud extremely difficult. Reselling under a false name becomes unattractive because a buyer without the matching digital ID cannot use the ticket. Ticket counterfeiting is practically eliminated since wallet tickets are digitally signed (similar to electronic seals). Additionally, the system meets all data protection and security standards. Personal data remains encrypted and under the user’s control.
- Less effort & cost for organizers: Automated e-ID checks can relieve staff at entry points. Security personnel rarely need to check documents or handle disputes. In the future, even self-service gates could validate ticket + wallet ID autonomously. Processes like ID copies or list matching are eliminated. Errors and fraud attempts (e.g., false age claims) are reduced, providing legal certainty.
- Data minimization & user control: Visitors disclose fewer personal details compared to showing a physical ID. The EUDI Wallet allows, for example, confirming "18+" without revealing the birth date. This builds trust and complies with GDPR. Organizers only learn what’s necessary (such as name and "over 18" flag), storing less sensitive data. Identity verification is authorized once by the user, with no ongoing profiling.
- Retention of marketing features: Despite the high security level, interaction options remain intact. The digital ticket in Apple and Google Wallet continues to serve as the carrier for push notifications, updates, and real-time offers. Organizers can still inform guests: schedule updates, on-site navigation ("Your entrance is to the left"), exclusive promotions ("Get a T-shirt at the merch stand now and receive 5% off"), etc. Loyalty programs can be integrated, such as digital stamps for each attended event. Customer engagement is not weakened by the additional ID check; in fact, it is strengthened because the overall experience becomes smoother and more trustworthy.
Comparison: EUDI Wallet vs. Apple and Google Wallet
An official EUDI Wallet and a mobile ticket wallet serve different purposes. They complement each other perfectly, but it’s worth looking at the differences:
| Aspect | EUDI Wallet (Digital ID) | Apple and Google Wallet (Ticket) |
|---|---|---|
| Content & Purpose | Contains official ID data and certified credentials (eID, driver’s license, certificates). Used for legally valid identity verification online/offline. | Contains tickets, boarding passes, loyalty cards, etc. Used for convenient display of entry permissions and customer engagement (coupons, payments). |
| Issuer | Governmental: Wallet app provided on behalf of an EU member state. Credentials issued by authorities or certified institutions (e.g., municipal office, university). | Private: Wallet app by Apple or Google. Tickets/passes created by the organizer or service provider and delivered to the user’s device. |
| Legal Status & Security | High trust level: Considered an official ID substitute under eIDAS 2.0. Strong cryptography and certification guarantee integrity. Legally recognized (soon mandatory in many sectors). | Not an ID, but secure: Wallet passes are tamper-proof, and apps protect contents against manipulation. Legally, they are only tickets/cards, not identity documents. |
| Interactivity | Passive: Primarily for authentication. No live updates or marketing features via the government wallet itself. (At most, a concert ticket could be stored as a credential, but without push functionality.) | Active: Wallet passes can be updated by the provider and include push notifications. Ideal for real-time info, offers, loyalty features. For example, automatically shows the ticket on the lock screen on event day. |
| Data Protection | User-centric: User decides per transaction which attributes to share. Data minimization (e.g., only age verification instead of full birth date). Data stored decentrally by the user (Self-Sovereign Identity principle). | Platform-centric: Ticket contains required data (name, seat, etc.), usually defined by the provider. Apple or Google do not create personal profiles from ticket usage, but the wallet infrastructure belongs to their ecosystem. |
| Role at Event | Identity verification: Ensures the ticket holder is genuine and authorized (e.g., 18+). Replaces ID checks at entry with a one-time online check beforehand or during scanning. | Ticket medium: Contains the access code (QR/NFC) for the event and manages the user experience (entry, info, on-site payments). Remains the visitor’s interface, while EUDI works "invisibly" in the background. |
Challenges in Implementation
Successfully introducing such a system requires considerations in several areas:
- Adoption & Acceptance: During the transition phase, not all visitors will have an EUDI Wallet or want to use it. Organizers should therefore provide alternative processes (e.g., conventional ID checks as a fallback) and actively communicate the benefits of the digital approach. Experience from pilot projects shows: when the added value is clear (faster entry), willingness to use it increases quickly.
- Technical Integration: Ticketing systems must be able to request and verify EUDI Wallet data. This means implementing support for standards such as Verifiable Credentials and OpenID Connect 4 Identity. Development effort and testing are required, ideally with the help of wallet pilot projects or middleware providers like Passcreator. Systems should also be performant enough to handle a high volume of wallet checks per minute if necessary.
- Legal Framework & Data Protection: Data protection officers should be involved during implementation. Although the wallet solution is inherently GDPR-compliant (minimization, user consent), processes (e.g., logging of completed ID checks) must be reviewed. Uncertainties such as liability in cases of misuse should be clarified with legal experts. Overall, the system reduces legal risks (less data collection, secure age verification) but initially requires internal and external education.
- Infrastructure & Training: Staff at entry points and in customer support must be familiar with the new process. Training ensures proper handling of issues (e.g., "Wallet shows red" or a visitor has no smartphone). A contingency policy should also exist, such as what to do if the wallet service temporarily fails (keep backup scanners for IDs, etc.). Overall, operations are not more complex than current scanner solutions - quite the opposite, if everything runs smoothly.
Use Case: Concert Visit with EUDI Login
Before the event:
A fan books a ticket online for a major concert. Because the organizer uses personalized tickets, she is asked during the booking process whether she would like to confirm her identity digitally. She clicks "Verify with EUDI Wallet." Her national EUDI Wallet app opens and displays the request: "Ticketing Service XY wants to retrieve your name and age verification." A fingerprint scan confirms the release. Seconds later, the ticket shop receives confirmation and issues the ticket in her name—the identity is officially secured.
Ticket delivery:
She adds her ticket to her Apple Wallet. There, it looks like any other mobile ticket showing QR code/NFC, seat, date/time. Before the event, she receives a push notification on her phone: "Concert today - entry from 6:30 PM." The wallet app automatically displays the ticket when she arrives at the venue.
Entry:
She goes to the gate and holds her smartphone to the scanner. Green! The system has recognized the ticket and knows internally that the ticket and identity belong together. No further stop at the entrance is needed - she is let through without showing an ID. Next to her, someone is fumbling for their ID. This visitor didn’t have an EUDI Wallet and therefore has to go through a separate lane.
In the stadium:
During the break, she receives a notification via her wallet ticket: "Now at the merch stand: 2 T-shirts for the price of 1, only until the end of the show." She feels well-informed and personally addressed. At the same time, the organizer has the certainty that the correct attendee is present. When ordering alcohol, she technically wouldn’t need a second age check. The bartender could rely on the "18+ verified" label in the ticket system.
Outlook: The Future of Ticketing
The advantages described suggest that this model will soon become standard. The EU-wide rollout of the EUDI Wallet is already scheduled. By 2026 they will be widely available, and by 2030, 80% of citizens are expected to have access. As adoption grows, so will the willingness to use digital IDs in everyday life. For the event industry, this represents an opportunity to make ticketing processes more modern and secure. It’s conceivable that additional convenience features will run via the wallet ID in the future: for example, age verification at vending machines or VIP access, all without extra steps.
It’s also interesting to see how tech giants will respond: Apple and Google may eventually integrate official ID functions directly into their wallet apps. In the U.S., Apple and Google Wallet already support digital driver’s licenses and IDs in some states and there are already pilot projects involving Google Wallet for EUDI. Conversely, national EUDI apps could one day include tickets or loyalty cards. For now, however, these remain separate worlds and our hybrid approach combines the best of both.
Conclusion: For event organizers and ticketing providers, it’s worth keeping an eye on developments and starting pilot projects. The combination of EUDI Wallet and Apple and Google Wallet delivers maximum security with maximum user experience. Visitors benefit from faster, smoother entry without ID hassles. Organizers benefit from more efficient processes and new digital touchpoints. In a few years, verifying via EUDI could be as normal as having your ticket on your phone today. The future of ticketing is personalized, digital, and no longer waiting in line.