Currently, EU and non-EU citizens are checked upon crossing the EU’s external borders, with 600 million crossings recorded in 2023 alone. In response, the European Commission has proposed the digitalisation of passport and identity cards for individuals entering or exiting the Schengen area. The objective is to enhance the efficiency of border controls, ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience.
To achieve this, the Commission has put forward a common framework for the use of digital travel credentials and proposed a new ‘EU Digital Travel’ app. Digital travel credentials comprise a digital replica of the data stored on passports and identity cards, mirroring the information contained in the chip of the passport or ID card. This data can be stored on a mobile phone in the new EU Digital Travel application. Passengers can opt to use this completely voluntarily and free of charge.
The EU Digital Travel app will be accessible to all EU and non-EU citizens holding a biometric passport and travelling to or from the Schengen Area. By downloading the app, travellers will be able to create digital travel credentials and submit documents to border authorities in advance, speeding up checks at the border.
Border authorities will undergo comprehensive training on data security and data protection rules prior to accessing any data. If the Council of the EU and the European Parliament agree on the proposals the EU Digital Travel app will be developed.
Benefits from such a scheme include increased security, as it will be harder to use fake documents or pass through Schengen borders undetected. Improved efficiency at borders, smoother and faster border crossings, and reduced administrative burdens for EU citizens.
In conclusion, the European Commission’s proposal to digitalise travel credentials and introduce the EU Digital Travel application marks a significant step towards modernising border management. By streamlining the process for both EU and non-EU travellers, the initiative aims to enhance security, reduce wait times, and create a more efficient and seamless travel experience across the Schengen Area. Once approved, this voluntary, secure, and innovative system will have the potential to improve the efficiency of border controls in the European Union.
