Passports, residence permits and visas are used for travel purposes, as a proof of identity or entitlement. Therefore, the security of these documents is essential. To improve it, the EU has decided to equip them with advanced security features and biometrics (facial image and fingerprints). This set of measures helps to fight against the falsification and counterfeiting of travel documents, while biometric identifiers establish a reliable link between the document and its holder.
Passports
Passports issued by EU States to their citizens have the common "recommended" lay out. They are burgundy in colour and have the words “European Union” printed on the cover, accompanied by the name of the issuing EU State.
According to EU law, passports must incorporate a storage medium (a chip) that contains the holder's facial image and fingerprints. This obligation does not apply to temporary passports and travel documents with a validity of one year or less. Ireland is not bound by these rules, whereas Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are.
Residence permits
The EU has also established a uniform format for non-EU nationals' residence permits (consolidated version of October 2017), which is used by all EU States as well as by Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. These residence permits are issued as stand-alone documents and include the same biometric features as the EU passports. A residence card of a family member of a Union citizen is issued to non-EU national family members of an EU citizen who is exercising his/her right to free movement.
A uniform format for visas
All EU States as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein also use a uniform format for visas (consolidated version of July 2017).
However, the visa holder's biometric identifiers will not be stored in the visa sticker itself, but in a database (Visa Information System).
Distinguishing false and authentic documents
A European Image Archiving System – FADO (False and Authentic Documents) has been set up to facilitate exchanges of information between EU States. It provides for the rapid validation, storage and exchange of information on genuine and false documents by computerised means. Distinguishing between false and authentic documents is also important for citizens, organisations and businesses. Therefore, the EU has made available a Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online (PRADO).
Digitalisation of travel documents
In October 2024, the Commission adopted two proposals to establish digital travel credentials based on passports and identity cards for people travelling to and from the Schengen area. The new rules will introduce digital passports and ID cards, and a new ‘EU Digital Travel’ application, for travellers to create, store and use 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.
Digital travel credentials 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. Finally, it will speed up checks and reduce the amount of time travellers spend at airports and major transport hubs.