The Finnish Border Guard has successfully piloted the Digital Travel Credential at Helsinki Airport. This innovative digital alternative to traditional passports aims to streamline border checks without compromising security.
The pilot, conducted in collaboration with volunteer passengers, the police, Finnair, the Finnish Immigration Service, and Finavia, demonstrated the potential of DTC to enhance efficiency. With the help of these partners, the Finnish Border Guard completed the pilot within the planned timeframe.
During the pilot, a specially developed phone application allowed registered passengers to send their DTC data to the Finnish Border Guard before travel. At the border control, passengers only needed to look at a camera and place their passport on a reader. The process took an average of just eight seconds, significantly faster than traditional checks.
Out of 466 participants, 355 successful DTC border checks were conducted. Despite some technical issues and necessary adjustments, the pilot confirmed that DTC can facilitate faster, secure border checks. Feedback and statistics from the pilot will inform future legislative and practical developments for the DTC.
A survey revealed that 91% of participants found it easy to register for the DTC, 96% found it easy to send their DTC in advance, and 90% would use the DTC for travel again. The pilot also explored a digital residence permit with a 2D barcode for individuals requiring temporary protection.
The insights from this pilot will contribute to drafting EU legislation and international standards for the digital travel credential, extending its benefits beyond Finland’s borders. The Finnish Border Guard will report these findings to the EU Commission, sharing valuable data for wider application.
