Secure Data Exchange with OOTS and EU Digital Identity Wallets

Published Date : 7/11/2025 

The European Union's Digital Identity Wallet initiative is gaining momentum, with the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS) offering a promising shortcut for secure data exchange. Austria's collaboration with the EU highlights how OOTS can streamline cross-border transactions and improve user experience through features like the preview space. This article explores the synergy between OOTS and the EU Digital Identity Wallet, recent developments, and the future of digital identity management. 

The European Union’s Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) aims to revolutionize how individuals and businesses interact across member states by simplifying data sharing and reducing administrative burdens. Central to this effort is the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS), a framework already in use for national-level data exchange. By leveraging OOTS, the EU hopes to create a seamless, secure environment for cross-border transactions without reinventing existing infrastructure. n n nAustria has emerged as a key player in this collaboration, with officials from the Austrian delegation to the sixth OOTS Projectathon emphasizing the potential of OOTS to accelerate the EUDI Wallet’s implementation. During the event in Brussels, Austria’s Secure Information Technology Center Director, Herbert Leitold, and Federal Chancellery Program Manager Felix Plank, highlighted the importance of integrating OOTS into the EUDI Wallet. Their work, part of the OOTS & EUDI Wallet Synergies and Interoperability Contact Group, focuses on aligning the two systems to enhance efficiency and user experience. n n nOOTS, which launched in December 2023, was designed to streamline administrative processes by enabling real-time data sharing between government authorities. This infrastructure reduces the need for repeated document submissions, a common pain point for citizens and businesses. Leitold argues that OOTS can significantly cut costs and time-to-market for EUDI Wallets, as it provides a proven framework for secure data exchange. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS)?

A: OOTS is a framework designed to streamline administrative processes by enabling real-time data sharing between government authorities. It reduces the need for repeated document submissions, making cross-border transactions more efficient.

Q: How does OOTS benefit the EU Digital Identity Wallet?

A: OOTS provides a proven infrastructure for secure data exchange, which can significantly reduce costs and development time for the EUDI Wallet. Its features, like the preview space, enhance user experience by allowing dynamic credential management.

Q: What is the preview space feature in OOTS?

A: The preview space allows users to view and store credentials during transactions. It bridges the gap between the EUDI Wallet’s pre-selected credentials and on-demand data needs, making the process more intuitive for citizens.

Q: What are the recent developments in the EUDI Wallet project?

A: In June 2025, the EU released a new batch of implementing acts for the EUDI Wallet, seeking public feedback. These acts outline technical and governance details to guide the wallet’s final design and deployment.

Q: How is Austria contributing to the EUDI Wallet initiative?

A: Austria is leading discussions on integrating OOTS into the EUDI Wallet, proposing an eDelivery network for secure data exchange. The country is also piloting synergies with the Netherlands to explore cross-border interoperability. 

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