From PVID to ETSI 119 461: A Step Toward European Harmonization of Remote Identity Verification

Remote identity verification has become a cornerstone of digital services — a shift accelerated by the pandemic and the growing reliance on online transactions.

In France, the PVID (Remote Identity Verification Providers) framework was one of the first of its kind in Europe. It introduced a set of detailed requirements to ensure that identity verification processes offer appropriate levels of assurance depending on the risks and potential attackers involved. At the time, this addressed a critical gap in eIDAS 1.0, which lacked specific technical standards for these services.

But with evolving technology and the push for a common European approach under eIDAS 2.0, a transition toward broader, interoperable standards — particularly ETSI TS 119 461 — is becoming essential. The European Commission is expected to formalize this shift in its implementing acts by May 2025.

This article explores what the migration from PVID to ETSI 119 461 means for the market, and how it supports the broader vision of a unified digital identity landscape across Europe.

PVID: A French Pioneer in Identity Verification

Introduced by ANSSI in 2021, the PVID framework was a major milestone in regulating remote identity verification. Its goal was to offer a standardized approach that providers could follow to deliver low, substantial, or high assurance levels.

For example, under substantial assurance, PVID required:

• Dual video checks: one dynamic video of the ID document and one selfie video;
  
  
• Mandatory human review: both videos had to be manually reviewed by a trained operator, even after automated checks;
  
  
• High anti-fraud thresholds: systems had to detect advanced fraud attempts, including presentation attacks.

While this was a highly innovative and rigorous standard, its France-specific nature created challenges. Providers in France were held to stricter requirements than many of their European counterparts — some of whom could claim equivalent assurance levels with far lighter obligations.

Moreover, the mandatory manual review was often seen as a barrier — both in terms of user experience and operational efficiency.

ETSI 119 461: A European Standard for Digital Identity

L’ETSI 119-461 dépasse le cadre de la simple vérification d’identité et s’inscrit dans une logique d’unification européenne pour répondre aux besoins transfrontaliers, notamment dans le cadre de l’EUDI Wallet, le portefeuille d’identité numérique européen. En facilitant l’intégration avec les futures solutions d’identification électronique qualifiée, l’ETSI 119-461 permet au marché de s’aligner avec les ambitions de souveraineté numérique de l’Union Européenne.

Du point de vue des exigences, la spécification ETSI 119-461 lève la contrainte de la vérification manuelle imposée par le PVID pour la comparaison faciale et la détection du vivant, moyennant le recours à des solutions biométriques certifiées ISO 30107-3 niveau 2 et CEN/TS 18099. Cela permet aux parcours proposant l’extraction NFC des données de la puce d’offrir à nouveaux aux usagers des services 100% automatisés et aux parcours proposant la capture d'une pièce d’identité physique de s’affranchir de la revue manuelle du selfie vidéo.

ETSI TS 119 461 is a technical specification developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It defines the requirements for Trust Service Providers and Remote Identity Verification Service Providers to deliver “basic” or “high” levels of identity assurance. But what makes ETSI 119 461 different from PVID? First, it’s a European standard, not a national initiative. Second, it is expected to be referenced in eIDAS 2.0's implementing acts, which will make it mandatory for providers across all EU member states.

Unlike PVID, ETSI 119 461 is designed for cross-border interoperability, laying the technical groundwork for initiatives like the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). This makes it a key enabler of Europe’s digital sovereignty goals.

From a compliance perspective, ETSI 119 461 also eases the manual review requirement imposed by PVID. If providers use certified biometric solutions — namely ISO/IEC 30107-3 Level 2 (for presentation attacks) and CEN/TS 18099 (for injection attacks like deepfakes) — they can return to offering fully automated journeys, especially when NFC-based chip reading is used for document authentication. It also enables workflows involving the capture of a physical identity document to do away with manual review of the video selfie.‍

From PVID to ETSI 119 461: Aligned with eIDAS 2.0 and the EUDI Wallet

The move from PVID to ETSI 119 461 is part of a broader EU-wide strategy to harmonize digital identity practices. It’s directly tied to the ambitions of eIDAS 2.0 and the EUDI Wallet, which are reshaping the future of identity in Europe.

ETSI 119 461 acts as the technical backbone of this shift, defining consistent remote identity verification requirements where eIDAS 1.0 had remained silent. It introduces Levels of Identity Proofing (LoIP) that match the strict security expectations of the EUDI Wallet — ensuring that users can rely on consistent and trusted verification methods across borders.

For solution providers, this alignment opens up real opportunity. On one hand, PVID-certified French vendors who become compliant with ETSI 119 461 will likely enjoy automatic recognition across the EU under eIDAS 2.0. On the other hand, early adopters of this standard will be well-positioned to support regulated services like cross-border banking, public administration, and more — all while reinforcing trust with both institutions and end users.

Why Unissey’s Solutions Are Key to ETSI 119 461 Compliance?

In this migration toward ETSI TS 119 461, Unissey stands out as a strategic technology partner. Its biometric solutions are already aligned with the specification’s technical and regulatory requirements, thanks to a dual certification, the ISO/IEC 30107-3 for detecting presentation attacks and the CEN/TS 18099 for detecting injection attacks, including deepfakes.

These certifications confirm that Unissey's solutions can withstand the most advanced forms of identity fraud. And because ETSI 119 461 makes these certifications a prerequisite, Unissey becomes an essential building block for any provider aiming for full compliance. Find out in this article how Unissey revolutionizes the fight against identity fraud.

As we've seen, moving from PVID to ETSI 119 461 is not a simple switch — it’s a complex challenge involving technology, compliance, and user experience. Unissey helps streamline this transition by removing the need for manual checks and helping providers meet the highest security standards. That’s a major asset for organizations targeting sensitive sectors like finance or government.

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Conclusion

While eIDAS 1.0 lacked the technical guidance to evaluate remote identity assurance levels, ETSI TS 119 461 fills this gap under eIDAS 2.0, setting the stage for a harmonized European approach to digital identity.

The transition from PVID to ETSI 119 461 represents a major milestone for the European identity verification market. It levels the playing field, supports trusted cross-border services, and positions certified providers — like those working with Unissey — to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital trust landscape.

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