Commission proposes to digitalise passports and ID cards for easier and safer travel in the Schengen area

On 8 October, the Commission adopted two proposals to digitalise travel documents (passports and identity cards) for people traveling to and from the Schengen area. New rules will make travelling to and within the Schengen area easier, and more secure.

Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are checked when crossing the Schengen area’s external borders. In 2023, a total of 593 million crossings were recorded. There is a need to speed up border controls and ensure smoother travel, while maintaining security.

The Commission therefore proposed new rules introducing digital passports and ID cards, and a new ‘EU Digital Travel’ app, for travellers to create and store their digital travel credentials.

Digital travel credentials are a digital version of the data stored on passports and identity cards. They include the facial image of the holder but not their fingerprints. It will be voluntary and free of charge for travellers to ask for or use this digital version of their documents.

The EU Digital Travel app;

The EU Digital Travel app will be developed by the Commission, with the support of eu-LISA. The app will be available for all EU and non-EU citizens with a biometric passport or EU identity card.

Thanks to the EU Digital Travel app, travellers will be able to:

• Create digital travel credentials, using their passports or, in the case of EU citizens, their identity cards. Credentials will be stored on the traveller’s mobile device.
• Submit travel plans and documents to the border authorities in advance. This will reduce waiting times at border crossings.
• Ensure their data is protected. The app requires user consent before processing personal data.

Digital travel documents will help authorities verify the authenticity and integrity of travel documents more efficiently, making it harder for fraudsters to use fake documents. It will also allow border management authorities to focus their time and resources more efficiently on detecting cross-border criminals and migrant smuggling.

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 app and the necessary technical standards will be developed.

Find out more:

• Proposal for a Regulation establishing an application for the electronic submission of data "Travel Europe application"
• Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing an identity card-based digital travel credential;
• Press release
• Questions and Answers
• Factsheet