EU Backs New Digital Travel App System
Nov 27, 2025
Category: Border and Security EU News
European Union member states approved a draft law that would launch a voluntary digital travel app across the bloc. This aims to speed up border checks and boost security for travelers entering the Schengen Area.
A new travel app for EU border
The Council of the European Union has adopted its negotiating position on a new regulation that would introduce a voluntary “EU digital travel application.”
The proposed system will allow travelers to generate a digital version of their travel document and submit it electronically before arriving at an EU external border.
According to the Council press release, the digital credential will “make it possible to digitally provide travel data before crossing the border.”
This will allow border guards to verify travel documents remotely and run checks against security databases before the traveler arrives.
Border pressure meets digital push
The proposal comes amid continued efforts to modernize border control procedures. The Danish Presidency of the Council described the initiative as part of its priority to strengthen the EU’s external borders.
“This application will be an important element in managing external borders,” the official statement said.
“We must be able to control who enters, and we must refuse entry to people who do not have the right to enter the EU. It is therefore important that we give border guards the best possible tools to work with.”
App, chip checks, sharing
The digital travel application will consist of three main technical components:
- A mobile app that allows travelers to create a digital copy of the data stored in their passport or ID card.
- A backend validation service to confirm that the digital document was issued by a legitimate authority and that its chip data has not been tampered with.
- A traveler router to transmit the digital credential to the appropriate border management authorities .
Creating and using the digital credential will be voluntary. Travelers who choose to use the app can submit their travel data in advance, which border authorities can then verify before arrival.
One app, many systems
The new travel application is expected to complement existing EU border systems, particularly the Entry-Exit System (EES) and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The EES, operational since October 12, 2025, is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals entering and exiting the EU for short stays. It replaces manual passport stamps with digital records and helps monitor overstays using biometric data.
ETIAS, expected to launch in the final quarter of 2026, will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to apply online for travel authorization. A valid ETIAS will be linked to the traveler’s passport and allow for short-term stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
According to the Council, digital travel credentials should eventually be usable when submitting entry/exit data under the EES, applying for ETIAS, or requesting a visa.
What’s next
With the Council position now formalized, negotiations with the European Parliament are expected to begin once the Parliament adopts its own stance.
The development and technical implementation of the app will be managed by eu-LISA, the European Union agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice.
While no launch date has been confirmed, alignment with the ETIAS rollout in 2026 is likely.
What changes for travelers
The travel credential is optional. Travelers may still choose to go through traditional border procedures.
Those who use the digital application can benefit from faster border checks, especially during high-traffic periods, by submitting documents in advance.
However, the Council emphasized that travelers will “still need to carry their passport or identity card” when crossing the border. The app is designed to streamline checks, not replace physical documents.
Data, trust, adoption concerns
Although the application promises greater efficiency and security, it also introduces questions around data privacy and user adoption.
While the Council does not address privacy risks directly, the involvement of eu-LISA — which also manages EES and ETIAS — suggests that existing EU standards on data protection will apply.
Adoption may vary depending on traveler awareness, ease of use, and perceived benefits. The voluntary nature of the system allows time for gradual scaling.
Years in the making
The proposal reflects broader EU efforts to modernize its digital infrastructure for travel and identity.
Over the past decade, the EU has invested heavily in interconnected systems such as SIS (Schengen Information System), VIS (Visa Information System), EES, and now ETIAS.
The digital travel application is intended to integrate these systems into a more streamlined process, enhancing both border control and traveler experience.
Smarter borders, faster travel
The EU’s push for a digital travel application marks a major shift in how border checks will be handled. By allowing passengers to share travel credentials in advance, the system aims to streamline security processes while reinforcing control at external borders.
With the Council’s negotiating position now set, the next step is for the European Parliament to agree its stance. If passed into law, the system could reshape how millions travel across EU borders every year.
For travelers, this means shorter wait times and potentially smoother journeys. For the EU, it’s a step toward smarter, tech-driven border security — one that balances convenience with control.