French Rail Operator Trials Digital ID for Passengers

French railway operator SNCF has launched a digital ID trial allowing passengers to verify their identity using QR codes generated through the France Identité mobile application. The program began this week, and is currently available on InOui high-speed TGV trains, with plans to expand to additional SNCF services later in the year.

The rollout represents a significant milestone in France’s broader digital identity strategy, which began with the introduction of new electronic ID cards in 2021.

The QR code system displays passengers’ full names and dates of birth, matching information from their French national identity cards. Train inspectors can scan these codes to verify passenger details against ticket information, eliminating the need to scan physical tickets unless required by station barriers. The system employs encrypted data transmission protocols to ensure passenger privacy and prevent fraudulent code reproduction.

While the digital system offers a new verification method, passengers must still purchase valid train tickets. The railway continues to accept traditional forms of identification, including physical French ID cards, passports, and French residency cards. However, other documents such as the carte Vitale health card are not recognized as valid identification for train travel, though this may change with the planned integration of health credentials into the France Identité platform.

The France Identité application has supported digital identification on select train routes since June 2024. The system is limited to French nationals who possess ID cards issued after 2021 or qualifying French driving licenses. The application does not currently support passports or residency cards, reflecting the government’s phased approach to digital identity adoption.

This initiative aligns with broader French digitization efforts. Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced plans in late 2024 to integrate the carte Vitale health card into the France Identité platform, with implementation expected in 2025. This integration will mark a significant expansion of the platform’s functionality, though the timeline for potential expansion of the application’s compatibility with other forms of identification remains undefined.

Sources: The Connexion

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January 22, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim