Self-sovereign identity is an emerging digital concept that grants individuals greater control over their data. The implementation and regulation of SSI in the European Union face challenges due to the diverse policies and legal regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation and eIDAS. This systematic literature review allows us to appreciate the extent to which SSI can potentially enhance identity access management while identifying the benefits, challenges, and limitations associated with its implementation and adoption within the EU’s legal framework. By synthesizing existing research, this work seeks to inform both IS literature in four key areas (technical, legal, policy and behavioral) as well as practice.