1.2 Billion Passengers to Adopt DTCs by 2035

A new study by Juniper Research revealed that the number of passengers adopting digital travel credentials (DTC) globally is set to surpass 1.2 billion by 2035. The number is forecast to grow from 105.4 million in 2027, representing growth of over 1,000%.

The report identified that rising passenger demand for seamless border experiences will drive long-term adoption, as frustration with current border practices, such as the European Entry/Exit System (EES), increases. Also, nations are collaborating on international standards, alongside national digital identity schemes, with digital travel credentials anticipated to expand beyond early deployments.

“The technical components of biometric travel are ready, and governments are increasingly recognising the value of interoperable digital identity frameworks. While reciprocal trust between sovereign nations remains complex, growing collaboration around international standards and bilateral agreements will enable digital travel credentials to scale globally,” noted report author Shane O’Sullivan.

To deliver the frictionless experience, initiatives such as the EU’s APTITUDE consortium and Singapore’s passport-free biometric clearance demonstrate how nations are building legal foundations to securely share data and eliminate physical queues. Progress remains incremental, as full rollout of a digital, fully passport-free credential is not expected until 2040, leaving physical passports as a necessary fallback.

The technical blueprint for seamless travel is largely complete, with proven biometric matching pilots. The remaining challenge is whether sovereign states can synchronise their borders fast enough for passenger expectations. The future of global mobility depends not on software, but on how quickly nations can co-author trust frameworks.