Google Wallet to roll out digital IDs and biometric payments across select EU states

Google has confirmed that Google Wallet will begin supporting digital IDs from select European Union states starting this summer. The expansion marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to integrate digital identity into its payment ecosystem, aligning with broader regulatory requirements for age verification across global markets. While the announcement does not specify which EU member states will be included in the initial rollout, the move follows a strategic build-out of age verification capabilities initiated in early 2025 to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act and similar legislation in the US and abroad.

Central to this update is a new age verification process developed in partnership with Sparkasse Bank. This collaboration enables customers to confirm their age through Google Wallet without disclosing sensitive personal details such as their name, address, or birth date. The integration leverages Zero Proof Knowledge technology, which was introduced into the app in April 2025 to facilitate secure age verification using government-issued identification. This approach allows for privacy-preserving verification, a critical feature for financial institutions and digital service providers operating under strict data protection regimes.

The process for adding digital IDs is expected to mirror the existing protocol for passports in the UK and US. Users will likely need to record a video selfie, scan their government ID, and allow the app to cross-reference the two before the ID is securely stored in the wallet. This method ensures a high level of security and authenticity, reducing the risk of identity fraud while streamlining the user experience for those requiring age-restricted services.

In parallel with the digital ID expansion, Google is enhancing its payment infrastructure for EU customers. The company is updating its Secure Payment Authentication feature to allow users to use Google Pay on European sites with biometric verification alone. This update removes the requirement for one-time passcodes or visits to additional identity verification sites, aiming to reduce friction during the checkout process and improve conversion rates for online merchants.

Furthermore, online merchants in the EU that support Google Pay direct checkout will enable users to select and pay with stored payment options in Google Wallet. This functionality mirrors the capabilities already available through Apple Pay, positioning Google to compete more effectively in the digital payments market. The combination of streamlined authentication and digital ID support underscores Google’s commitment to creating a seamless and secure financial ecosystem for European consumers.