Breakthrough in European Digital Identity Framework: Connection of Dutch Municipalities to Once Only Technical System

The Dutch association of municipalities (VNG) has successfully established a functional connection between the Once Only Technical System (OOTS) and digital identity wallet attestation publishers. This milestone, achieved in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of the Interior, demonstrates the practical synergy between the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet and the OOTS infrastructure. The development is a significant step for the Digital Identity & Verification sector as it validates the secure, cross-border exchange of qualified electronic attestations of attributes under eIDAS regulations.

During a recent hackathon, the municipality of Rijswijk successfully issued a proof of birth for a test individual into a digital identity wallet using Cleverbase trust services. This achievement was part of the Uniforme Bronontsluiting (Uniform Source Connection) project, with the link between the Once Only Technical System and municipal administration facilitated by RINIS and Enable U. The process confirms that birth data attestation can meet the stringent technical requirements for qualified electronic attestation of attributes (QEAA) as defined by the eIDAS regulation, ensuring secure verification of identity data through qualified trust service providers.

This breakthrough allows public and municipal authorities to satisfy multiple legal obligations through a single connection, enhancing interoperability and streamlining administrative processes. By leveraging existing channels, municipalities can now provide verified identity data like birth certificates directly to EUDI Wallets. A follow-up technical session held on December 16, 2025, focused on comprehensive testing of the entire exchange process, including issuance to the Cleverbase wallet using standard EUDI Wallet protocols.

The integration of EUDI Wallets and the OOTS infrastructure, which has been live since December 2023, aims to reduce administrative burdens for individuals, businesses, and public authorities across the EU. In its next phase, the initiative will utilize OOTS Common Services to facilitate the discovery of verification services for attribute retrieval. This system strengthens trust and security in digital transactions by enabling citizens to manage verified credentials and share them securely with third parties, ultimately supporting a more competitive and integrated European single market.