Recently, Ukraine and the European Union have revised their joint action plan concerning electronic identification and trust services. This plan outlines key steps that will enable Ukraine to gain recognition for certain electronic trust services by 2026 and achieve equal access to the European market by 2027.

«Ukraine is confidently advancing towards European integration, even in the face of challenges. We have become the first country outside the EU to be included in the EU Trusted List. The update of this joint plan sends a strong signal that our efforts and technologies are highly valued. The mutual recognition of trust services is a testament to our deep integration into the digital sphere», — stated Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation.

Key outcomes of the plan's implementation include:

  • By 2026, the EU will recognize Ukrainian electronic signatures and other trust services, allowing their legal use within Europe.
  • Starting in 2027, all Ukrainian electronic identification means will be automatically recognized in the EU on par with European counterparts.

This will enable Ukrainians to seamlessly sign documents and interact with European institutions using Ukrainian electronic signatures.

The implementation process involves several crucial stages, including assessments of Ukrainian legislation and testing of service interoperability. Ukraine is already actively preparing its legislation and infrastructure to meet European standards.

 

It is worth noting that the first joint action plan between Ukraine and the EU in this area was approved in 2021. The updated eIDAS Regulation will come into effect in May 2024, and efforts are currently underway to finalize the new implementing acts.