EUDI Wallet vs MyGovID
MyGovID is the login Ireland uses today for many public services. The EUDI Wallet is the EU digital identity wallet framework, and Ireland's national version is the Government Digital Wallet. gov.ie says the Irish wallet will be linked to MyGovID, but it is still moving through testing, consultation and legal implementation. The short answer: MyGovID is live; the wallet is the next credential-sharing layer.
Side-by-side
| MyGovID (live today) | EUDI / Government Digital Wallet (rollout) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Web + app login service | Smartphone wallet app |
| Scope | Irish state services only | EU-wide for any compliant relying party |
| What it holds | Login and verified identity attributes | Verified credentials and documents supported by the wallet as they are issued |
| Selective disclosure (prove just one fact) | No | Yes — by design |
| Cross-border use | No | Yes — EU-wide |
| Acceptance by Irish public bodies | Used by many services today | gov.ie says mandatory acceptance is due to commence by the end of 2026 |
| Private-sector acceptance | No general MyGovID obligation | gov.ie says strong-customer-authentication providers are due to accept EUDI wallets by the end of 2027 |
| Built on | Department of Social Protection PSC/PPS infrastructure | MyGovID + new EUDI-compliant credential layer |
What "built on top of MyGovID" actually means
The EUDI Wallet does not arrive as a separate identity system that competes with MyGovID. The Irish wallet inherits its trust foundation from MyGovID: when the wallet first sets you up, it uses MyGovID's existing identity verification to populate the wallet's credentials. After that, the wallet operates somewhat independently — you present wallet credentials to relying parties without going through MyGovID's login screen each time.
In practical terms:
- If you already have a verified MyGovID, wallet onboarding should be more straightforward, but the final live process has not been published.
- If you only have a basic MyGovID, you'll need to verify it first — and the routes are the same as today (PSC or app verification).
- If you have no MyGovID, the first step is registering one.
What changes for ordinary users in 2026-2027
Year 1: testing, legislation and first availability
- The State completes consultation, technical testing and the legal work needed for launch at scale.
- Wallet availability is expected by the end of 2026 under the EU timetable.
- Public bodies are due to begin mandatory acceptance by the end of 2026, according to gov.ie.
- The exact first credential list remains a launch detail, not something users should treat as guaranteed.
Year 2 (private-sector mandate — end of 2027)
- Private providers that conduct strong customer authentication are due to accept wallet credentials by the end of 2027, according to gov.ie.
- Cross-border use becomes significant. You can prove identity to an EU service in another member state by presenting your Irish wallet.
- Selective-disclosure use cases — proving age without revealing date of birth — become more common.
Will MyGovID go away?
Officially, no. The Government has been clear that the wallet builds on existing services, including MyGovID. MyGovID is likely to remain the brand of choice for the login experience for state services, while the EUDI Wallet becomes the credential container that proves who you are when you arrive. The two have a producer/consumer relationship.
Over time, parts of the wallet may absorb functions currently delivered through physical or document-based checks, especially credential presentation. A sudden shutdown of MyGovID is not indicated by the official material.
The friction with the Public Services Card
The PSC remains important because it is one route into verified MyGovID and SAFE identity proof. The wallet changes how credentials are stored and presented; it does not make the identity-proofing layer disappear. That is why privacy concerns about the PSC still matter in the wallet era. See PSC hub and PSC controversy.
If you're a business
If your business performs strong customer authentication or regulated identity checks, this is a watchlist item for 2026, not a reason to rush into unsupported tooling. Track Irish legislation, gov.ie implementation guidance and the EU technical framework before committing to a vendor roadmap.