The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to digitalise passports and identity cards for individuals entering or exiting the Schengen area. This initiative comes in response to the nearly 600 million border crossings recorded in 2023 alone.
The proposal includes a common framework for digital travel credentials and the introduction of an ‘EU Digital Travel’ app. This app will enable travellers to generate and store digital versions of their passports and ID cards on mobile devices, facilitating advance border checks and faster crossings.
Digital travel credentials will feature information from passport chips, including facial images but excluding fingerprints. Participation in this scheme is voluntary and free of charge. The digital documents promise to enhance security by reducing document fraud and allowing authorities to focus on migrant smuggling and cross-border crime.
Additionally, the proposal aims to reduce administrative burdens for EU citizens, as digital IDs may be used for various forms of registration and identification. The app, available to all travellers with biometric passports or EU ID cards, will require user consent for processing personal data, and border officials will undergo training on data protection protocols.
The proposals now await approval from the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Upon adoption, development of the EU Digital Travel application and associated technical standards will commence.
