Towards a Password-Free Future: Analyzing and Comparing eID Solutions Under eIDAS

Abstract

This analysis focuses on password-free Electronic IDentity (eID) solutions for eGovernment services under the federated identity management framework Electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services (eIDAS). The scope of eID systems is centred on their alignment of the associated technical, legal, and procedural challenges. Through an analysis of five password-free eID solutions—Fast IDentity Online 2 (FIDO2) tokens, Secure Identity Across Borders Linked (STORK), distributed ledgers, mobile authenticators, and eID cards—the study evaluates their compliance with eIDAS standards and identifies key gaps in their design and implementation. While certain solutions, such as FIDO2 tokens and mobile authenticators, demonstrate full compliance, others, including STORK and distributed ledger-based systems, face challenges in achieving interoperability, privacy, and regulatory alignment. This research contributes to the discourse on digital identity management by offering insights into current limitations and recommending pathways for advancing the design, standardization, and deployment of eID systems. These results support the larger objectives of the European digital single market by highlighting the significance of regulations, innovations, and user-oriented design in creating password-free eID systems.