The digital version of the documents would contain the credentials currently available in the chip of passports and ID cards, including photos but not fingerprints, and make them accessible on smartphones when crossing borders or accessing other services.
According to the proposal, the digital version of the documents won’t replace existing paper or card ones. Travellers will still have to carry physical documents at border control, but those with a digital passport or ID will be able to just tap it for verification.
The digital credentials will not be mandatory and will be issued only upon request when receiving a new passport or ID. They will be free of charge.
The Commission will also develop an EU Digital Travel app that will allow people to self-generate the digital documents.
But the app won't be ready any time soon with the date of 2030 given for the rollout.
Meanwhile, EU countries will be able to put in place national systems for digital travel documents with the Netherlands, Finland and Croatia already having launched pilot projects.
Under the plan both EU citizens and non-EU nationals will be able to request a digital version of their documents.
Non-EU citizens with a biometric passport will also be able to use the EU Digital Travel application to create digital travel credentials for travelling to the Schengen area, the Commission said.
“Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are subject to systematic checks when crossing the EU's external borders. With almost 600 million crossings recorded in 2023, there is a need to speed up border controls and ensure smoother travel, while at the same time maintaining a high level of security, ensuring that each and every traveller is checked,” the Commission said in a press release.
“Digital passports are a major step forward in strengthening security in the Schengen area and making travel easier. They will allow border guards to quickly approve genuine travellers and focus better on stopping suspects of crime and terrorism,” said EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.
It will also be possible to link the credentials to the planned European Digital Identity wallet, together with digital driving licences, medical prescriptions, and other documents recognised across the EU.
According to the Commission, national authorities could allow EU citizens to use their digital identity cards for other administrative procedures, for example to register as residents in another EU country or to access electronic identification schemes, such as DigiD.
Earlier plans for an EU-wide digital wallet that enables citizens to identify themselves and share electronic documents across the EU came under fire from privacy experts. Dutch MPs objected to the idea in the previous legislative term.
“Personal data is the reason why we are using encryption methods and it is subject to the general data protection framework and consent rules, " said EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
"So I want to assure all the possible users in the future of such a digital ID card that we will protect their personal data."
The European Parliament and Council still have to approve the plan.
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