EU has appointed OeSD as the general contractor for managing the issuance of laissez-passer documents for a duration of 9 years.
The European Union is set to transform its traditional laissez-passer document into an electronic travel document, following revised legal foundations. However, it is essential to clarify that the EU is not currently developing or issuing a new electronic laissez-passer for its staff or partners.
The closest current initiative discussed is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), an upcoming electronic authorisation system for visa-exempt visitors to the EU. While ETIAS aims to enhance security by pre-screening travelers, it is not a laissez-passer. Instead, it will be integrated with the Schengen Information System and the new Entry/Exit System.
Traditionally, laissez-passer documents are issued to officials, diplomats, or international staff for official travel. The standard laissez-passer is a physical document, complying with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for travel documents. However, there is no indication that the EU has moved to issue an electronic laissez-passer compliant with these standards.
If and when the EU does issue a new electronic laissez-passer, it will be produced by OeSD, an Austrian company, and its partners Vision-Box from Portugal and X-Infotech from Latvia. The issuance architecture will remain under the management of the European Commission on behalf of all European Institutions.
For more information about the new laissez-passer, visit [www.laissez-passer.eu](http://www.laissez-passer.eu), where you can find an introductory video and other details about the project. In May 2015, OeSD was chosen as the prime contractor for a nine-year term to produce and personalize the new laissez-passer.
In summary, while the EU is planning to digitalize its laissez-passer, the new electronic laissez-passer is not currently being issued. The only significant EU electronic travel initiative in development is ETIAS, which applies to visa-exempt visitors, not officials or staff. If you are referring to another specific project or document, additional details would be needed to verify its status and compliance with international standards.
The European Union is not currently working on an electronic laissez-passer for its staff or partners, unlike the upcoming electronic authorization system ETIAS, which aims to pre-screen travelers. Data-and-cloud-computing technology might be employed in the creation of a future electronic laissez-passer, should the EU decide to issue one, with OeSD, Vision-Box, and X-Infotech likely to collaborate on its production.
