Europe advances EU Digital Travel App amid concerns over entry-exit system

13-10-24

The European Union is moving closer to the era of digital passports with the introduction of the EU Digital Travel app, a new initiative aimed at simplifying and speeding up border controls across the Schengen area. As the region prepares for the roll-out of the Entry-Exit System (EES), which has raised concerns about potential long wait times and a lack of readiness at borders, the EU Digital Travel app is being positioned as a key tool to ease these issues. Scheduled for launch in November 2024, the digital travel framework promises to streamline the movement of both EU and non-EU travelers.

The EU’s EES will require non-EU travelers crossing Schengen borders for the first time to submit their biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, as well as biographical information. While this system is designed to enhance border security and keep better track of visitors' entry and exit, several member states have expressed concerns about potential delays, given the additional steps required at the borders. Countries like France and Germany have called for a delay in the EES implementation, fearing long queues and insufficient preparation.

The EU Digital Travel app aims to mitigate these concerns by allowing third-country nationals to create a digital version of their passport before traveling. This app will enable travelers to pre-register their information and validate their travel documents before they arrive at the border, reducing the time spent at checkpoints. For non-EU nationals, the app could help ease the transition to the new EES system by ensuring that their biometric and travel data is already stored and verified before reaching the border.

The digital passport, part of the EU Digital Travel app, will serve as a voluntary digital counterpart to physical travel documents. The credential will contain the same information found in the chips of passports and ID cards, including a facial image but excluding fingerprints. Importantly, travelers will still be required to carry their physical documents, but the digital version is expected to significantly speed up border checks.

Several EU member states, including the Netherlands, Finland, and Croatia, have already piloted digital passports, and the results have been promising. According to the European Commission, these trials have shown that digital credentials can reduce border processing times to as little as 8 to 30 seconds, making the process more efficient for both travelers and border agents.

While the proposal for the EU Digital Travel app has been outlined, the European Commission has yet to publish a definitive timeline for its full launch. The app is still subject to approval by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Once approved, the development of technical standards for the app will begin, a process that could take several months. In the meantime, member states will continue to use their own national systems for digital travel documents, and these systems may gradually be integrated into the EU-wide framework.

The introduction of the app will also align with another major EU travel initiative: the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is set to launch in mid-2025. The EU Digital Travel app could potentially be integrated into ETIAS, further streamlining the travel process for non-EU nationals by allowing them to manage their travel authorizations and digital credentials in one place.

In addition to benefiting travelers, the EU Digital Travel app is expected to offer significant advantages to the travel industry, particularly air carriers. Airlines have voiced concerns about the potential delays that the EES could cause at borders, given the additional checks required. The app could simplify several steps in the booking and check-in process, allowing airlines to verify passenger data more efficiently before flights. Organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have expressed their support for digital solutions like the EU Digital Travel app as a way to reduce the risk of bottlenecks at airports and border crossings.

The EU Digital Travel app represents a significant step toward a future in which digital travel credentials become the norm. While the app will initially be voluntary, its potential to expedite border checks and improve the overall travel experience is expected to drive its widespread adoption. As technology continues to reshape the way we travel, the EU's initiative could set the standard for digital travel solutions worldwide.