Malta to Launch Digital Wallet By EUDI 2026 Deadline

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Malta is fast-tracking the rollout of a government-backed digital wallet, aligning with the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) framework mandate. The EUDI framework requires EU member states to develop digital wallets with identity and age verification features as part of an EU-wide digital system by December 2026. 

The Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), led by CEO Kenneth Brincat, will serve as the official provider for the national wallet. 

Maltese citizens will be able to use the digital wallet on their smartphones as an identity document, similar to an ID card or passport. It will allow users to request, store, and share identification data, like name and nationality. 

Brincat said in an interview with The Malta Independent:

It’s like the Google Wallet, but instead of being a Google Wallet, imagine a ‘Malta Wallet’ that will also, officially, store your identity inside it.

Once launched, the mobile app will allow citizens to choose between presenting their digital wallet, physical ID card, or passport when proving identity, with selective data sharing to protect privacy.

Authorities like the police will also be able to validate identity via NFC. Initial functionalities at launch will center on identity and age verification, as required by the 2026 EUDI deadline, while more advanced features (such as transport cards, driver’s license, or multi-device access) may arrive in subsequent waves beyond 2026. 

This initiative also aligns with Malta’s broader digital transformation, which Brincat says requires an AI-policy overhaul.