Finnish travelers take the lead in digital travel docs

Source: Schengen Visa Info

The Finnish Border Guard has announced that Finns will be the first in the world to test digital travel documents starting from August 28.

According to the Border Guard, all Finns on Finnair’s flights who will be traveling to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh will be able to test the digital travel document. This means that they will have the chance to go through the controls faster without having to wait for a long period.

“The Finnish Border Guard invites passengers on Finnair’s Great Britain flights to test their digital travel document at the border check at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport starting on August 28, 2023. Finnair customers on the London, Manchester and Edinburgh routes have the opportunity to go through the border control faster and more smoothly than usual without queuing,” the statement of the Finnish Border Guard reads.

As explained, passengers will be able to go through faster procedures by registering as voluntary users of a digital travel document. Once they register, they will be able to use their digital document when traveling from and to Finland.

However, it has been stressed that the document can only be tested at the Helsinki Airport. Those who register to the system will be able to test the digital travel document until the end of February 2024.

The digital travel document, known as DTC (Digital Travel Credentials), is being tested for the first time in the world, as the Border Guard explains. DTC is a digital version of the physical passport, and it is just as reliable as the latter.

“DTC is a digital version of a physical passport and is equally reliable. It enables a smooth and fast border crossing without compromising safety,” the Finnish Border Guard notes.

The decision of Finland to test digital travel documents follows the wish of the EU Commission for the pilot project to be carried out by some member states so that experiences can be gathered.

Once the required information is gathered, the Commission plans on presenting a proposal for the implementation of this project in all the other member states.

The project is funded by the Commission, and it aims to make the travel process easier for everyone.

If this project that will start being carried out by Finland today proves to be successful, passengers will no longer have to carry physical travel documents in the future. At the same time, other travel processes will become much simpler, too.