The European Commission is determined to change the way we travel: the digital travel document appears on the scene

The way passengers move through the Schengen area is changing. Or at least that’s what the authorities claim. The new European Union Entry and Exit System (SES), whose start-up has been delayed several timespromises to leave passport stamps behind. Now, the European Commission (EC) is working for a much more ambitious idea to materialize: a digital travel app.

EU Digital Travelwhich is the name of the tool, seeks to allow both citizens of the European Union (EU) and other countries with an EU passport or ID card to use a digital version of these documents. We are talking about digital credentials capable of containing the information from the passport or identity document chip, including the image of the holder, but not their fingerprints.

Digital credentials to improve security

The EC explains that it is necessary to streamline border controls with the aim of achieving smoother movementbut maintaining security. Their proposal for a digital travel app promises to address these needs. In this way, it is expected that passengers will be able to present their documents digitally before travel for prior border control when traveling to or from the EU.

EU Digital Travel also promises easy freedom of movement for citizens of member states. Each country will be able to adopt this technology so that its citizens can identify themselves digitally. “For example, they could be used to register with national authorities when establishing residence in another Member State or to facilitate access to electronic identification systems,” they explain.

Digital documents also aim to improve the efficiency of border controls so that authorities can dedicate more time to detecting cross-border crimes. Likewise, it seeks to improve the security of the Schengen area. An interesting point is that it would address the problem of fake documentsa methodology that is usually used by some people to make border crossings improperly.

It should be noted that we are facing a proposal that still has a way to go. The EC notes that it plans to create the application with the assistance of eu-LISAthe agency that manages such important systems as the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS). Furthermore, eu-LISA is behind the Entry and Exit System (SES) we mentioned above.

Now, like any other project proposed by the EC, EU Digital Travel must receive the approval of the European Parliament and the European Council. This is an initiative that will be “completely voluntary” and responds to the digitalization of the Schengen area in 2021. Even if everything progresses as expected, we will not see this system in operation before 2030.

Images | European Commission | Erik Odin

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