Accessible and available travel facilitation

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The topic funds innovation actions that make border crossings and visa procedures faster and more accessible for all travellers while protecting fundamental rights. Projects are expected to reach technology readiness level 6-7.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

Travel facilitation at external EU border crossing points has advanced through automated border control gates, no-gate and seamless travel solutions, the Entry-Exit System, the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System and digital travel credentials. Yet schemes are still not as fair, inclusive and accessible as they should be: technical exceptions make it hard for families, groups travelling together, people with disabilities or reduced mobility, and people with lower digital skills to use them smoothly. Systems and procedures also differ between crossing points, which limits performance and user experience, particularly as the Standing Corps of the European Border and Coast Guard supports national authorities.

What innovation actions should do

• Develop and test solutions for advanced seamless travel, border crossing and visa procedures that protect and promote fundamental rights, minimise bias, and are accessible to all travellers regardless of age, sex, gender, disability or physical or digital ability.
• Test solutions for use with the same approach by all European border control staff in all conditions and at all crossing points.
• Use innovative technologies, processes, knowledge or a combination, including automated decision support that suggests to border check operators which procedure, technology or database can be used without infringing travellers' rights.
• Integrate and where appropriate further develop biometric matching that minimises the data shared, for example by limiting it to matching scores.

Proposals should address the priorities of the European Border and Coast Guard and its Agency, and of the EU agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems (eu-LISA), starting from requirements and design, based on the Capability Roadmap and engagement with the agencies during the project. Neither agency gives guidance on proposal preparation, but they may observe pilots and demonstrations. Proposals should plan a mid-term deliverable assessing outcomes, carried out by the practitioners involved, and participation of customs authorities is welcome where relevant. Activities are expected to reach technology readiness level 6-7 by the end of the project.

Expected outcomes

Contributions to some or all of: trusted, secure and more automated seamless travel, border crossing and visa procedures with an integrated approach, low risk of bias and accessibility that reduces digital divides; solutions with the same approach that all European border control staff can adopt in all conditions; and lower workload, better safety, user experience and performance for border management staff.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

5. November 2026

5 November 2026.