SafeTravellers

Secure and Frictionless Identity for EU and Third Country National Citizens

Objective

Launched in January 2024, the SafeTravellers project, co-funded by the European Commission, introduces an innovative identity solution leveraging multiple biometrics to address the vulnerabilities of traditional identity documents and streamline the travel experience. Over the next three years, a consortium of 23 partners from across Europe aims to develop a near-operational system, achieving at least TRL7. The project focuses on:

• Strengthening border security
• Enhancing the productivity of Border Authorities through groundbreaking technologies for accurate traveler identification and combating identity fraud at various levels,
• Providing a seamless border crossing experience for travellers eliminating the need for border checkpoint stops.

Impact

SafeTravellers proposes a novel approach to citizen identification using multiple biometrics, supplementing traditional identity documents. It also enhances current identity verification methods by detecting attacks on biometric hardware, identity and travel document fraud, and biometric falsification attempts. The solution adheres to ethical standards, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, and incorporates privacy-preserving mechanisms like homomorphic encryption to safeguard citizens’ biometric data. The project introduces the European Multi-Biometric Data Space, enabling Member States to retain jurisdiction over their nationals’ personal data while facilitating cross-border identity checks without transferring or exposing any biometric data.