The latest inform from the European Migration Network (EMN) on the “Digitalisation of identity documents and residence permits issued to third-country nationals” provides an in-depth analysis on the challenges and advantages in adopting digital-only immigration procedures within 23 EMN Member States and two Observer Countries, namely Georgia and Ukraine.
The majority of EMN Member and Observer Countries, as well as Georgia and Ukraine, currently issue physical residence permits, incorporating biometric data and electronic elements. Notably, Italy, Lithuania, and Poland have started issuing digital-only residence permits and identity documents.
The inform observes that while most EMN Member states and observers remain in force on physical ones, countries such as Finland and Germany are actively exploring digital alternatives.