Finland has launched a pilot project to test digital passports and Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) for Finnish citizens traveling from Helsinki to the UK. This trial allows passengers to present a digital ID on their smartphones instead of physical passports when going through border control. The Finnish Border Control claims this is the first time a digital passport has been accepted in a real border control environment. It aims to make the process faster and smoother. The project is collaborative between Finland, Finnair, the Finnish police, and airport operator Finavia.

Citizens can download the Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) on their smartphones from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The service requires end users to have some form of second-tier cybersecurity feature installed on their device, including a PIN or biometric locking method. They must also register with the police at Vantaa Main Police Station's license services and are expected to use the app to input their data to the Finnish Border Guard 36 to 4 hours before traveling. The service is currently being piloted at the airport.

Why does it matter?

Findings from these trials are expected to inform the European Commission's broader program geared towards digitalizing travel. A successful implementation of this trial could pave the way for the broader adoption of digital passports across the European Union, enhancing travel technology and efficiency.