The UK’s Office for Digital Identities and Attributes has published responses from a stakeholder survey focused on the international use of digital identities and credentials, offering a snapshot of where digital verification providers see the biggest opportunities and the hardest barriers.
The survey, commissioned in May 2025 and completed by 39 companies providing digital verification services, found that most respondents already see value in international activity. At the same time, the majority said regulatory diversity and fragmented systems make cross-border operations difficult, pointing to a market that wants interoperability but lacks the legal and technical bridges to get there.
Among the headline figures, 79% of respondents said they face barriers to operating internationally. Regulatory diversity, disparate systems and technical challenges were cited most often. Sixty-two percent said cross-border political or regulatory agreement is needed to harmonise, align or mutually recognise frameworks. Fifty-seven percent said they want harmonisation and adoption of internationally recognised technical standards.
In terms of where cross-border digital identity is most valuable, finance was cited as the leading sector, followed by compliance and verification use cases. Respondents pointed to operational efficiency and lower costs as the most significant upside if cross-border use increases, alongside improved user experience and fraud reduction.
The survey also indicates a strong expectation that government has to be involved. Seventy-nine percent of respondents said they want UK government involvement in enabling cross-border digital identity. Support for aligning legal and regulatory frameworks with international standards was the most cited action area. Respondents also pointed to mutual recognition agreements, cooperation with international partners, and clearer guidance on legal and liability implications.
The EU was the most frequently cited partner the UK should work with more closely, underscoring how the UK market views European interoperability as the near-term priority. The report ties back to the UK’s wider trust framework program, including the digital identity and attributes trust framework, which OfDIA says is designed to be standards-aligned and benchmarked internationally.
Sources: GOV.UK, Enabling Digital Identity blog
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By the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
