Secure digital identities for all - The federal E-ID pilotWallet project

Electronic identities for all – secure and easy to understand

The federal government is pursuing the goal of a national e-ID infrastructure. But before this is implemented on a large scale, a realistic field test with real users is needed. The challenge was significant: How do you get people to store their identity data digitally? How do you ensure they truly have control over their data? And how do you make a complex technical concept – "Self-Sovereign Identity" – understandable and practically usable?

The pilot focused on the electronic learner's driving licence as the first use case. This was strategically sound: the learner's driving licence is ubiquitous, regularly presented, and its users are digitally savvy. At the same time, the solution had to meet the highest standards for security, data protection, and accessibility – without compromising on user-friendliness.

The goal was clear: develop and test whether electronic credentials in a wallet truly work – technically secure, legally compliant, and practical for users.

Users' needs at the center

Unic brought a strictly user-centred approach to the project. In concrete terms, this meant that technology was not the starting point — instead, the key question was: How do people actually use their identity documents? What scenarios exist? What risks arise?

The team first developed a UX architecture based on various customer journeys — from onboarding through everyday use to presenting the document during an inspection. Hypotheses were continuously validated through prototyping and hallway testing. Design decisions followed Per Axbom's Panda strategy: a systematic approach to account for different usage scenarios, potential risks, and diverse user groups.

More than 20 participation meetings enabled intensive exchange between the federal government, cantons, and Unic. The BIT team was itself undergoing a transformation process — Unic actively supported this process. Interdisciplinary team processes spanning service design, UX, and development ensured that not only individual areas were optimised, but that the overall system functions cohesively. The agile, iterative way of working and the open attitude of all those involved created space for genuine innovation.

A wallet for secure, data-minimizing identity credentials

The solution consists of several interlocking elements.

App Architecture: Development of a native wallet solution for iOS and Android. The app allows users to upload, manage, and securely store their electronic credentials — locally on the device, not in the cloud.

Secure Data Retrieval: Central to the solution is its data-minimising architecture. When a police officer checks the learner's driving licence, the wallet only transmits the necessary data — not the entire identity. QR code-based queries ensure that the verifying party receives the minimum amount of information required.

Interface Integration: The wallet was connected to cantonal and federal systems — from road traffic offices to examination systems. This variety of interfaces presented a genuine technical challenge, but was resolved cleanly and effectively.

Transparency Measures: A publicly accessible code repository on GitHub enabled complete transparency. Citizens, security experts, and developers were able to view and audit the code.

Inclusive Design: The UI/UX design was crafted to be intuitive, accessible, and inclusive — catering to diverse user groups, including people with special needs. Visual consistency and aesthetic quality supported usability without resorting to experimental approaches.

The solution was deliberately designed as a building block for the future e-ID standard and meets the requirements set by Fedpol, the Federal Department of Justice and Police, and the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication (BIT).

From Vision to Lived Practice

The pilotWallet creates immediate, tangible value: learner drivers can present their licence digitally without needing to carry the physical document. This is not only convenient – it also lowers the barrier to digitalisation. People experience first-hand that digital identities work and are secure.

For driving schools, road traffic offices, and checkpoints, real efficiency gains are achieved. Digital presentation without media breaks streamlines processes. At the same time, citizens gain genuine control over their data – a fundamental principle of digital sovereignty.

The pilot is a key milestone on the path to the Swiss e-ID. It demonstrates that Self-Sovereign Identity is not merely a theoretical concept, but practically implementable. The insights gained pave the way for further use cases – from diplomas and club membership cards to other credentials. On this basis, the federal government can prepare the rollout to additional cantons and identity document categories.

The trial runs for one year and is continuously monitored. The project team is already working on the next steps: further development of the wallet, integration of additional life situations, enhancement of security mechanisms, and preparation of a UX and service design roadmap for the national e-ID.