Finland is the first to try something new with immigration and border control this week—and the change marks the official beginning of a shift towards a digital passport process.

The Finnish Border Guard has announced that they will be testing a digital travel document called the Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) on Finnair flights between Helsinki Airport and various UK cities. This voluntary program aims to provide Finnish citizens with a convenient and efficient way to enter and leave Finland. Finnish citizens can register for the digital travel document at the Helsinki Airport—more details are available on the Finnish Border Guard website.

The DTC is a digital version of a physical passport and is considered just as reliable. It offers a seamless and speedy border crossing experience without compromising security. This initiative is part of a broader digital identity policy package being developed by the European Commission in collaboration with member states to introduce various digital services.

The DTC is a partnership between Finland and Croatia. The digital passport will be tested at the Zagreb International Airport later this fall. The opportunity for Finnish citizens to test the passport will be between now and February 2024.

By implementing the digital travel document, Finnish authorities aim to reduce the time spent at checkpoints, allowing passengers to move through immigration more quickly compared to traditional passport documents.

This innovative approach to immigration and border control not only enhances efficiency but also showcases Finland’s commitment to embracing digital solutions. It sets a precedent for other countries to explore similar advances in travel document technology, ultimately improving the overall travel experience for passengers worldwide.

According to isp.page & thrillist.com