The Maltese electronic identification (e-ID) system, which Identity Malta Agency manages, has achieved the highest level of security assurance, both locally and at EU level. In fact, Malta’s e-ID is on its way to being officially notified by eIDAS, which is the European Commission’s key enabler for secure cross-border transactions.
This step will allow Maltese e-ID users to access a wider range of virtual services in other member states, including tax-related services and health services.
Identity Malta is on its way to successfully completing a pre-notification phase, during which a comprehensive peer assessment is carried out by several specialists from EU member states. This assessment focuses on security aspects and the safe sharing of information across borders. After successfully completing this phase, Identity Malta will assist Austria, and potentially other countries, in order to optimise their own e-ID systems in terms of security.
Identity Malta’s CEO Anton Sevasta said that, by means of this system, a citizen of one EU country can use their national e-ID to access online services of another EU country. He explained that the recently launched Maltese e-ID card and e-Residence documents were designed to enable this interoperability from the very start. Mr Sevasta emphasised that this concurs well with the government’s efforts in making more services safely available online.
Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Communities Alex Muscat said that the notification of the Maltese e-ID system benefits European businesses, citizens, and government services alike, because it is based on trust and convenience in carrying out cross-border online transactions.
“This is yet another important step in the reduction of bureaucracy. We are not only reducing unnecessary processes internally, but we are also facilitating life for Maltese citizens when they need to access services provided by other countries,” said the Parliamentary Secretary.
He concluded that Identity Malta is leading the way in facilitating citizens’ lives by providing services online.
The Maltese e-ID scheme was successfully notified under Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market. Malta has embarked on its pre-notification process of both identity documents in March 2021.