Blueprint for an age verification solution to help protect minors online

Step 1

User downloads an age verification app from the app store.

Step 2

Proof of age issued based on national eIDs, passports and ID cards, pre-installed apps with age info, such as banking apps, or offline third-party activation, such as post office.

Step 3

After receiving the proof of age, the link between user and proof provider is cut, no further data is exchanged. Proof of age doesn’t include any ID info to trace the user.

Step 4

User requests access to online service.

Step 5

Online service requests anonymous proof of age from the user.

Step 6

User presents anonymous proof of age to online service.

Step 7

Online service verifies validity of proof of age. The process ensures privacy of the user and does not reveal any info to the issuer of the proof of age.

Step 8

Online service grants access.

The blueprint has been available since July 2025 to relevant stakeholders (e.g. Member States, online services, market players) as a toolbox of open-source solutions to adopt the solution seamlessly.

A pilot phase started in July 2025 during which the blueprint was tested and customised, in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end users.

Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain are taking up the technical solution in view of publishing a customised national age verification app.

The Commission has been offering support to scale the pilot to other Member States, in coordination with national authorities and digital services coordinators.

In October 2025, a second version of the blueprint was released with a passport and identity card method to generate a proof of age. Zero-knowledge proof technology is included in the solution.

As of April 2026, the age verification app is technically ready and will be available to citizens soon.

In April 2026 the Commission issued a recommendation that sets out actions  Member States are encouraged to take in relation to age-verification.