Finland is the first country in the world to test digital passports. Finns flying from the capital Helsinki to the UK can submit the document via mobile phone. Finland’s border control guarantees that digital passports are “equally reliable” and that the technology will make it easier for travelers to board.
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How does a digital passport work?
For now, the use of digital passports is limited to some Finnair passengers. They can use Digital Travel Proofs (DTC) to pass through border control and no longer need to wait in queues.
According to Finnish border control, this is the first time digital passports have been accepted “in what is said to be the first time in the world in a real border control environment”. The raids are carried out in collaboration with Finnair, the Finnish police and airport operator Finavia.
Interested travelers should do so first Download the FIN DTC Pilot Digital Travel Document App On your smartphone from Google Play or Apple Store. To use it, some type of phone screen lock method – pin number, fingerprint or Face ID – must be activated before installing the app.
Then it is necessary to register with the police at the Licensing Services of Vanda Main Police Station. You will need to make an appointment and bring a valid physical passport to make a digital version. During check-in, the passenger will sign a consent form and a photograph of their face will be taken for use in facial recognition.
After that, it is already possible to use the DTC at Helsinki Airport for flights to the UK. The tests will continue till the end of February 2024, according to reports Euronews.
Safe and reliable system
The Finnish Border Guard says the DTC is a “digital version of a physical passport and is reliable,” adding that it “allows smooth and quick border crossings without compromising security.”
Special routes are currently set up for volunteers to test the service when Finnish passengers depart for the UK from Helsinki Airport. A border guard will compare your photo with the digital passport image.
Extension to the whole of the European Union
- Finland’s digital passport trial is part of a wider EU pilot project.
- Last year, the European Commission reached out to see which countries would be willing to participate in testing digital documents.
- Croatia is also hoping to step in and run its own pilot program at Zagreb airport later this year.
- After the tests are completed, representatives of the European Union will evaluate the results and make a proposal for the implementation of digital passports in other member states of the group.
- However, there is no time frame for this to come into effect.
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