European Commission Proposes New Digital Passports on Smartphones for Easier Schengen Travel

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The European Commission recently unveiled plans to introduce digital travel credentials for travelers to and from the EU’s Schengen zone, aiming to make travel more seamless, secure, and efficient. This initiative would allow travelers to store passport and ID card details digitally on their smartphones, reducing the time spent at border crossings.

The data currently stored on the chip of a passport or ID card can be transferred to a smartphone, enabling a more hassle-free process at the border. This is part of the European Commission’s efforts to enhance security while simplifying travel for EU citizens and visitors. Věra Jourová, the Commission’s Vice-President for values and transparency, highlighted that the digitalization of travel documents will allow for a smoother experience without sacrificing security.

Travelers will also have the option to submit their travel plans and documents to authorities in advance, allowing for faster verifications at the border. Authorities can then focus more on identifying potentially troubling cases, such as migrant smugglers, while processing other travelers more efficiently. This would significantly reduce queues and wait times at border control points.

The digital passport system will be voluntary and free for all travelers, and its introduction is projected for 2030. However, before it can come into effect, the plan must be approved by both the EU’s Council, which represents member states, and lawmakers in the European Parliament.

This move comes alongside preparations for the EU’s separate entry-exit system, set to be implemented in November. This system is designed to track non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, a passport-free zone that includes most EU countries along with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, but excludes Ireland and Cyprus. Under this system, travelers from non-EU countries will have to use automated scanners to check their entry and exit.

Although the entry-exit system is scheduled to go live in November, there have been reports suggesting it might face further delays, though details on the specific causes of these delays remain unclear.

In summary, the digital travel credentials are part of the EU’s broader efforts to streamline travel within the Schengen Area while boosting security, and the initiative aims to reduce congestion at border crossings by offering travelers the option to store and submit their credentials digitally.