Guest hospitality in hotels and other accommodations is about to undergo its greatest technological and regulatory transformation in the last twenty years.
With the introduction of the new eIDAS 2 Regulation (EU 2024/1183) and the birth of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) , traditional reception acceptance procedures and manual ID card checks are set to become a thing of the past.
The integration of European digital credentials directly into Property Management Systems (PMS) will enable the advent of instant check-in , eliminating queues at reception, transcription errors and the need for physical ID scanning.
But how exactly does the EUDI Wallet work and what advantages does it bring to hotel management?
What is eIDAS 2 and the EUDI Wallet?
Topics index
The eIDAS 2 Regulation defines the regulatory framework for the creation of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) . This is a free mobile application made available to all citizens and residents of the European Union to identify themselves securely both online and offline.
Inside the EUDI Wallet, each citizen stores:
Your personal data, verified and validated by the country of origin (Person Identification Data – PID).
Official documents and driving licenses.
Verified electronic certificates.
With the new regulation in place, guest identity will be validated at source by certified authorities. For hotels, this means photographing or scanning passports and paper ID cards will no longer be necessary.
How will hotel check-in change with PMS integration?
The integration of the European Digital Wallet into hotel management software (PMS) radically transforms the guest entry flow.
Instant check-in and no manual transcription: Guests simply show a QR code from their EUDI Wallet at the self-service kiosk or reception (or share it before arrival via the app). The PMS instantly receives the certified personal data and automatically fills in the guest profile.
Data security and privacy (GDPR): The process uses advanced encryption and complies with the principle of data minimization. Guests share only the data strictly necessary for identification, with their explicit consent.
Integration with Public Safety portals: The accuracy of the data sent from the European portfolio minimizes the margin of error in the mandatory communication of data to law enforcement agencies (such as the Alloggiati Web portal in Italy).
Extraordinary Guest Experience: By eliminating waiting times at the desk, hotel staff can abandon bureaucratic tasks to focus on welcoming guests, upselling them, and personalizing their stay.
The advantages for hotel and non-hotel facilities
For operators in the hospitality sector (hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes, resorts), the adoption of eIDAS 2 represents an immense competitive and operational advantage:
Reduce operating costs: Simplify administrative processes for front desk staff.
Reduced fraud risks: Non-forgeable and continent-wide verified digital credentials.
Completely contactless and unattended check-in: Ideal for non-hotel facilities and boutique hotels with automated or 24-hour receptions.
To consult the official documentation of the European Commission on the eIDAS 2 Regulation and the specifications on the functioning of the European Digital Identity Wallet, you can directly access the European Commission – EU Digital Identity Wallet Framework portal.
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