Top 10 Practical Use Cases of SSI-based EUDI Digital Wallets

As the European Union moves forward with the mandatory rollout of European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallets by the end of 2026, we’re entering an era where digital identity will finally become user-centric, privacy-preserving, and universally portable.

These wallets, based on Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs), go far beyond storing identity cards. They represent a profound shift in how individuals, organizations, and governments interact with trust, control, and selective data sharing at the core.

So, what will these wallets actually do?

Here are 10 practical, high-impact use cases already gaining traction across sectors and forming the foundation for tomorrow’s digital trust infrastructure.

 1. Age Verification Without Oversharing

Let’s start with one of the most common and most misused pieces of personal information: your birthdate.

In an SSI-based wallet, age verification doesn’t require you to reveal your full birthdate or legal ID. Instead, Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) allow you to prove a fact (e.g., “I am over 18”) without revealing the underlying data. Whether it’s accessing an age-gated website, purchasing alcohol, or entering a club, your wallet can confirm eligibility without compromising privacy.

This is already a proven use case. In fact, smartSense won the ETHGlobal Hackathon 2023 challenge for Zero Proof Age Verification, showcasing a production-grade implementation of this flow.

Here you can find the complete use case explained in detail: Digital Interaction & Data Exchange using SSI

2. Driving License That Lives in Your Pocket, Digitally

Imagine being pulled over while driving in another EU country and being able to show a digitally signed driving license from your mobile wallet, one that’s instantly verifiable by local authorities.

EUDI Wallets will support verifiable driving license credentials, eliminating the need for physical cards while enabling cross-border validation. This reduces fraud, speeds up enforcement, and improves convenience for drivers and agencies alike.

3. Tamper-Proof Academic Credentials

With fake degrees flooding the internet and cross-border education on the rise, verifiable digital diplomas and transcripts are now a necessity.

Universities and educational institutions will be able to issue Verifiable Credentials for academic achievements, stored securely in student wallets. Employers and institutions can verify these instantly, with no paperwork, no back-and-forth, and no forgery.

smartSense is already working with educational partners to design end-to-end flows for issuing, revoking, and verifying academic credentials.

4. Fast-Track Employee Onboarding

Onboarding new employees typically involves multiple redundant checks- ID verification, education proof, tax ID, and address validation.

With reusable credentials in digital wallets, an employee could onboard to multiple organizations using the same verified identity stack, eliminating repetitive processes and accelerating HR workflows. This is particularly valuable for gig workers, contractors, and cross-border talent.

5. Health Insurance Verification Across Borders

Ever been asked to present health insurance information at a clinic, while traveling?

EUDI Wallets will make it possible to carry health insurance credentials that are verifiable in real-time by healthcare providers. Insurance companies can issue credentials that verify coverage, policy status, and other key data, simplifying claims and access, especially in emergency scenarios or across EU borders.

6. Digital Travel Visas

From immigration queues to visa validation, the future of travel will be shaped by digital wallets.

A travel visa issued as a verifiable credential can reside in your EUDI Wallet, ready for selective presentation at airlines, consulates, or border control. This not only improves travel security but also simplifies mobility, reducing paperwork and improving coordination among international systems.

7. Secure Access to eGovernment Services

Logging into government portals can be one of the most frustrating digital experiences. With an EUDI Wallet, users will be able to authenticate using secure Verifiable Credentials, from filing taxes to accessing social welfare programs.

Governments can issue and request credentials with trusted cryptographic proofs, streamlining interactions while minimizing fraud and red tape.

8. Instant Hotel Check-In

Picture walking into a hotel and checking in with a quick scan, no passports, no forms.

With identity and booking credentials in your wallet, hotel check-ins become seamless. Your personal data is shared only as necessary, complying with local regulations while enhancing guest experience.

For hospitality providers, this means faster onboarding, better compliance, and less administrative overhead.

9. Reusable Bank KYC (Know Your Customer)

Opening a bank account or accessing a financial service often means repeating the same KYC process again and again.

With SSI and EUDI Wallets, users can store verified identity, address, and financial profile credentials and present them across institutions, dramatically reducing onboarding friction while ensuring compliance with AML/KYC regulations.

Banks also benefit from revocable and timestamped proofs, reducing compliance risk.

10. Voter Identity and Election Access

As digital democracy expands, so does the need for secure voter authentication especially for remote or absentee voting.

With EUDI Wallets, voter eligibility credentials can be issued and verified without exposing full identity. Combined with ZKP mechanisms, this allows individuals to prove voting rights while ensuring electoral integrity and privacy.

This Is Just the Beginning

Each of these use cases represents a building block for Europe’s digital future.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore each one in greater technical depth:

• How does the credential flow work?
• What standards and protocols are involved?
• What’s needed for wallet integration?

Where does smartSense come in?
 

As a trusted builder of digital trust ecosystems and a two-time Gaia-X Hackathon winner, we’ve helped clients across Europe and ANZ turn these concepts into reality.

Stay Tuned

This article is part of our ongoing LinkedIn series on European Digital Identity Wallets and SSI use cases.