Germany's new biometric check-in plan sparks privacy concerns and efficiency hopes
German Government Plans to Allow Private Airlines to Access Passengers' Biometric Data
The German federal government intends to permit private aviation companies to read and process sensitive passport and biometric data in the future, enabling fully digital passenger check-in at airports. This would mark the first time such biometric dataāstored on official ID documentsāhas been made available to private businesses. Until now, only police forces, passport authorities, civil registration offices, and immigration agencies have been authorized to process the mandatory biometric data stored on identity document chips.
The proposal is outlined in a draft of the Act to Enable Digital Passenger Processing, presented by the Transport Ministry on February 24, 2026. The traffic-light coalition government had already planned a similar law in 2024 but ultimately did not implement it.
Specifically, the legislation concerns the biometric photograph stored on the chip of ID documents. Airlines would be granted access to this data during check-in to biometrically identify passengers. Travelers would be photographed and biometrically scanned at check-in, with airlines then verifying their identity against their passport or national ID.
According to the draft law's justification, the government expects this measure to "reduce bureaucracy" and save roughly one minute per passenger during check-in, thereby enhancing the "travel experience." Based on government calculations, citizens could save an average of nearly eight minutes of waiting time per yearāprovided they consent to sharing their sensitive data with private companies for verification. The draft stipulates that participation in the system would be voluntary at airports during its introduction.
Even the traffic-light coalition's earlier plans for such a law had sparked protest. At the time, then-Federal Commissioner for Data Protection Ulrich Kelber criticized the proposal, arguing that "data collected solely for sovereign tasks would thus be released for optional comfort services provided by non-public entities." In his official statement, Kelber elaborated:
This would fundamentally shift the usage regime for data stored on the chips of official ID documents. The release would establish an entirely new purpose for collecting and storing this data on the chipāone that is commercial in nature.
Kelber also warned of a dangerous precedent that could encourage other private companies to seek access to such data. He deemed the draft law "highly problematic."
The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) likewise opposed the plans. CCC spokesperson Matthias Marx argued at the time that allowing biometric data to be used for mere convenience would have foreseeable consequences: "If airport operators and airlines are permitted to use this highly sensitive data for purely comfort-oriented applications, it will be difficult to deny access to other industries."
This, he said, would dramatically weaken protections for such sensitive biometric information. Marx added: "It is the height of irony that the mandatory collection and storage of biometric data was always justified as a measure to combat serious crimeāand now these facial images are suddenly to be released for the sheer convenience of airlines."
Civil society organizations have until April 10 to submit statements on the draft law. The cabinet is scheduled to discuss the legislation on April 29.
