Today, the European Commission adopted two proposals to digitalise passports and identity cards, also called ‘EU Digital Travel application’, for individuals travelling to and from the Schengen area.
Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are subject to systematic checks when crossing the EU’s external borders. Currently, these checks are made physically at the border crossing point. With almost 600 million crossings recorded in 2023 only, there is a need to speed up border controls and ensure smoother travel, while at the same time maintaining a high level of security, ensuring that each and every traveller is checked.
The Commission is therefore proposing a common framework for the use of digital travel credentials and a new ‘EU Digital Travel applicationț, for travellers to create and store their digital travel credentials. The new rules will make traveling to and within the Schengen area easier and more secure.
New rules introducing digital passports and ID cards
Digital travel credentials are a digital version of the data stored on passports and identity cards. The data includes information contained in the chip of the passport or ID card, including the facial image of the holder, but not fingerprint. A digital travel document can be stored on a mobile phone. It will be completely voluntary for travellers to ask for or use this digital version of their documents, free of charge.
This will:
- Allow smoother and faster border crossings for travellers: Both EU and non-EU citizens will be able to submit their digital passports or ID cards ahead of the journey, for an advance border check, when travelling to or from the EU.
- Facilitate freedom of movement and reduce administrative burdens for EU citizens: Member States may allow EU citizens to use digital identity cards for registration and identification. For example, they could be used for registration with national authorities when taking up residence in another Member State, or to facilitate access to electronic identification schemes.
- Improve the efficiency of border controls: Border management authorities will be able to focus their time and resources on detecting cross-border criminals and migrant smuggling thanks to advance checks made possible by digital travel credentials.
- Improve the security of the Schengen area: Digital travel credentials will make it easier for authorities verify the authenticity and integrity of travel documents, making it harder for fraudsters to use fake documents or pass through borders undetected.
The EU Digital Travel application
The EU Digital Travel application will be developed by the Commission, with the support of eu-LISA, and deployed at EU level. The application will be available for all EU and non-EU citizens with a biometric passport or EU identity card travelling to or from the Schengen Area.
Thanks to the EU Digital Travel application, travellers will be able to:
- Create digital travel credentials, using their passports or, in the case of EU citizens, their identity cards.
- Submit travel plans and documents to the border authorities in advance, reducing waiting times at border crossings since most checks will be completed beforehand.
- Ensure their data is protected: The application requires user consent before processing personal data. Additionally, Member States will be required to provide border authorities with comprehensive training on data security and data protection rules before authorising them to access the data.
The EU digital travel application will become available as of 2030. This will provide the possibility to store the digital travel credentials in the European Digital identity wallet.
Next steps
It is now for the Council and the European Parliament to agree on the proposals. Once adopted, in accordance with the relevant procedures, the EU Digital Travel application and the necessary technical standards will be developed.
Background
The proposals deliver on the Schengen strategy adopted in 2021, which committed to further digitalise procedures at the external borders. The proposals are also linked to the establishment of European Digital Identity Wallets where digital passports and ID cards can be stored alongside digital driving licences, medical prescriptions, and other documents.
The initiative supports the Commission’s ‘Digital Europe’ strategy and ‘Digital Compass’ in the framework of the Europe’s Digital Decade’ targets, aiming to digitalise public services and provide all Union citizens with digital identification by 2030.
For More Information
- Proposal for a Regulation establishing an application for the electronic submission of data (EU Digital Travel application)
- Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing an identity card-based digital travel credential
- Document security – European Commission (europa.eu)
- Free movement and residence – European Commission (europa.eu)
- Questions and answers on the EU Digital Travel application
Quote(s)
Today’s proposal to digitalise passports and identity cards paves the way for a more seamless and secure travel experience. It allows travellers to move smoother and faster across the EU. We know this is what many Europeans see as an advantage of our Union.
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency
Driving forward a digital Schengen Area, the digitalisation of travel documents proposed today represents a major leap in border management efficiency. By allowing travellers to digitally submit their documents in advance, border guards will be able to verify identities prior to arrival. This will streamline the process for all travellers, especially EU citizens, while also sharpening the focus on suspicious cases, enhancing the efficiency of systematic checks at our external borders.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life
The fact that EU citizens can travel to and within the EU using only their passport or identity card is the foundation of the right to free movement. We are now making this right fit for today’s digital world.
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice
Digital passports are a major step forward in strengthening security in the Schengen area and making travel easier. They will allow border guards to quickly approve genuine travellers and focus better on stopping suspects of crime and terrorism.
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs
Source – EU Commission
Questions and Answers on EU Digital Travel application for easier and safer travel
Strasbourg, 8 October 2024
What is the Commission proposing today?
Today, the European Commission adopted two proposals on the digitalisation of passports and identity cards, also called ‘EU Digital Travel application’ for individuals travelling to and from the Schengen area:
- A Proposal for a Regulation establishing an application for the electronic submission of data (‘EU Digital Travel application’) and for establishing passport-based digital travel credentials;
- A Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing an identity card-based digital travel credential, to allow the issuance of digital travel credentials based on EU identity cards using the same technical standards as those used for passports.
What is a digital travel document?
A digital travel document, also known as ‘digital travel credential’, is a digital version of the data stored on passport or identity card. The data includes information contained in the chip of the passport or ID card, including the facial image of the holder, but not their fingerprints. A digital travel document can be stored on a mobile phone and, once available, in the EU Digital Travel application. The EU digital travel application will become available as of 2030. This will provide the possibility to store the digital travel credentials in the European Digital identity wallet.
Who can get a digital travel document?
EU citizens who are in possession of a physical passport or identity card can obtain a digital version of either document.
Non-EU nationals who are in possession of a biometric passport, will also be able to use the EU Digital Travel application to create a digital travel credential and use it when travelling to or from the Schengen area.
How will an EU traveller be able to get a digital travel document?
A digital travel credential can be requested when receiving a new passport or identity card free of charge. Once the EU Digital Travel app is available, travellers will also be able to themselves create a digital travel document via the application, based on their existing travel document. Travellers can also decide not to request a digital travel document and continue to use only their physical passport or identity card.
How will a non-EU traveller be able to get a digital travel document?
Once the EU Digital Travel application is available, third-country nationals will be able to themselves create a digital passport via the app, based on their existing physical passport.
Will travellers still need physical documents?
Yes. Travellers will still need to carry a physical document when crossing an external border, for the passport control stage. Travellers who choose to opt for digital passports will simply have to tap the physical passport on the reader at the passport control stage.
How will the EU Digital Travel application work?
The EU Digital Travel application will allow travellers to create a digital version of their travel documents, which can be used for border checks and to accelerate their travel process. Member States may also allow digital travel documents to be used for other purposes, such as registration with national authorities when taking up residence in another Member State, or to facilitate access to electronic identification schemes.
Travellers can create a digital travel document by scanning their physical travel document with the application on their mobile phone. The application will check that the document is authentic and it matches the face of the traveller with the facial image stored in the travel document to ensure that only the legitimate holder can create a digital travel document based on that physical document. Once created, and before crossing the border, travellers can submit the digital travel document to the border authority for advance inspection. The border authorities will carry out the same checks as they would when a traveller physically presents their travel document for inspection. This will make border crossings faster and smoother.
When could the EU Digital Travel application start to be used?
The application will enter into operation once it has been developed, tested and approved by the European Commission (eu-Lisa). In the meantime, Member States will already start to issue digital travel documents. The proposal allows Member States to implement national systems for using digital documents at their borders before the EU Digital Travel application is ready. Some countries have already piloted this (NL, FI, HR). Similarly, Member States may allow the use of digital travel documents in other interactions, where normally a physical passport or identity card would be required.
The EU digital travel application will become available as of 2030. This will provide the possibility to store the digital travel credentials in the European Digital identity wallet.
How does this relate to other travel systems?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of the EU. This proposal is relevant as it will establish an application that non-EU citizens could use for the EES process.
Travellers who are subject to the Entry/Exit System (EES) will be able to use the EU Digital Travel application and pre-register several pieces of information, including the check of their travel document before even arriving at the border. This shortens the amount of time spent at airports and other transport hubs. Similarly, air carriers, who often need to check travel documents manually, as well as their customers, can benefit from these digitalised documents in the context of booking and other checks carried out during international travel.
Digital travel documents could also be integrated into the European Travel Authorisation (ETIAS) application process so that relevant data can be directly taken from the digital travel document and reduce typing errors, increase accuracy and speed up checks at the border.
How will the EU Digital Travel application help to make the Schengen area more secure?
As travellers using the EU Digital Travel application are submitting their travel data and digital travel credentials in advance, border authorities can perform certain checks beforehand. This allows them to focus their resources on detecting cross-border crime and irregular migration more efficiently, while ensuring smooth passage of all travellers.
How will it make travel easier?
The application will allow border officials to complete some of the border check processes before travellers arrive at the border, which will save time and make the travel experience smoother. When travellers arrive at the border checking point, the gate will compare their face against the facial images submitted as part of their digital travel document ahead of travel. The results from pilot projects have shown that this can increase the speed of the border check (from around 30s to 8s), which will expectedly improve the flow of passengers.
Will the new rules introduce additional checks?
No. The use of the EU Digital Travel application does not introduce additional checks.
Will the use of digital travel credentials and the new EU Digital Travel application be mandatory?
No, the use of the EU Digital Travel application will be voluntary. However, once it is up and running, the authorities of all Schengen countries will have to accept digital travel credentials for border checks, so any traveller can choose to use one for their cross-border travels.
If travellers do not want to use the EU Digital Travel application or digital travel credentials, they can still use their physical travel documents for border checks. Their data will not be shared or used without their consent. If travellers no longer want to use the EU Digital Travel application, they may revoke their consent to process their personal data on the application at any time.
How will data protection be ensured?
The European Commission has taken steps to ensure that travellers’ personal data is protected when using the EU Digital Travel application. This includes using strong encryption methods and consent rules, meaning that no data is processed without user’s consent, which can also be revoked at any time. This allows the user to control the data that is shared and remove it at any given time.
The general framework on the protection of data protection, namely the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Regulation for the European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (EUDPR) will apply in full for the processing of personal data as is the case today in the context of border checks. The amount of data processed by border authorities does not change, it is simply the timing of when it is checked that changes as the checks happen earlier.
Further details on the technical architecture of the EU Digital Travel application will be provided for in implementing acts, including on data security, encryption methods and access to data. These implementing acts will be subject to the general data protection framework and to consultation of the European Data Protection Supervisor. These implementing acts will be adopted once the Regulation has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.
More information
- Proposal for a Regulation establishing an application for the electronic submission of data (EU Digital Travel application)
- Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing an identity card-based digital travel credential
- Document security – European Commission (europa.eu)
- Free movement and residence – European Commission (europa.eu)
- Press release on the EU Digital Travel application
Source – EU Commission