Romania Signs Mastercard Deal to Develop European Digital ID Wallet

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Romania has signed a partnership agreement with Mastercard to develop a national digital identity wallet aligned with the European Union’s upcoming European Digital Identity (EUDI) framework, as member states race toward the bloc’s 2026 implementation deadline.

Under a memorandum approved by the Romanian government, Mastercard will serve as a technical provider for a new interoperable digital identity ecosystem, expected to launch by December 2026. The wallet is intended to work across EU member states in line with eIDAS 2.0 requirements, allowing citizens to use digital credentials for both public and private services throughout the bloc.

According to the government, the wallet will support digital versions of documents, including identity credentials, driving licenses, health cards, educational certificates, and transport-related records. The Romanian state will retain ownership and administration of the ecosystem, while Mastercard Europe will provide technical services under a five-year partnership structure. Officials said the arrangement will not require direct public budget spending.

The initiative also includes work on Person Identification Data (PID) systems and electronic attestations designed to support trusted digital verification under the EU’s revised eIDAS framework. Mastercard will also assist with identity verification flows and broader ecosystem integration for the future EUDI Wallet infrastructure.

Romania joins a growing list of European countries accelerating digital identity projects ahead of the EU-wide deadline requiring all member states to offer at least one EUDI Wallet solution by the end of 2026. The push is expected to reshape digital onboarding, authentication, and cross-border trust services across sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government services.