Thales, Infineon Technologies, and Others Join EU Project to Standardize Quantum-Resistant Protocols for Secure Travel Documents

Insider Brief:

• The PQC4eMRTD project, funded by the EU under the Digital Europe Programme, has officially launched. The project is intended to develop and standardize quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols for electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTDs).

• Coordinated by Infineon Technologies AG, the project includes Thales, CryptoNext Security, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, and the Institute for Comparative Law in Slovenia, and intends to advance post-quantum cryptography research towards international standardization.

• The initiative addresses the security risks posed by quantum computing, particularly the potential vulnerability of electronic passports, and seeks to provide a blueprint for Europe’s transition to quantum-resistant infrastructure.

• By encouraging collaboration across industries, policymakers, and researchers, the project intends to accelerate the adoption of PQC protocols, ensuring the long-term security of digital identities and electronic travel documents.

PRESS RELEASE — A significant European initiative, the PQC4eMRTD (Post-Quantum Cryptography for electronic Machine-Readable Travel Documents) project, has officially commenced Friday, February 28th, 2025. Funded by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme, the two-year project aims to address the security challenges posed by the rise of quantum computing, focusing on the standardization and promotion of quantum-resistant (QR) cryptographic protocols for electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTDs).

Quantum computing is advancing rapidly with substantial investments from both public and private sectors. By 2026, the number of quantum bits (qubits) is expected to grow tenfold compared to the roughly 400 qubits achieved at the end of 2022, dramatically expanding the processing capacity of quantum computers and enabling them to solve increasingly complex problems. ​ These advancements pose a threat to classical cryptography, making it essential to develop QR standards and infrastructures.

Represented by Eurosmart, the European digital security industry emphasizes the urgent need to transition to QR infrastructures, particularly for eMRTDs such as electronic passports, which are vulnerable to quantum threats. The PQC4eMRTD project aims to support this transition by advocating for the development and promotion of standardization in QR cryptographic protocols.

The project is coordinated by Infineon Technologies AG from Germany and includes key partners Thales and CryptoNext Security from France, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center from Spain, and the Institute for Comparative Law at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The PQC4eMRTD project will focus on pushing existing PQC research results towards international standardization working groups to facilitate the adoption of QR protocols.

Additionally, the PQC4eMRTD project will promote cooperation across different sectors transitioning to PQC by addressing common challenges and fostering synergies. It aims to provide a detailed blueprint for Europe’s transition to PQC, serving as a model for other regions. By actively engaging and supporting the broader European PQC community through knowledge sharing and collaborative initiatives, the project ensures that all stakeholders can benefit from the latest research and developments.

Stakeholders, including industry experts, policymakers, and academic researchers, are invited to join this vital project. Their participation and support are crucial as the consortium works towards securing the future of electronic travel documents and digital identities against emerging quantum threats.

“We at Thales are committed to driving innovation and ensuring the highest level of security for electronic documents and digital identities”, commented Nathalie Gosset, VP Identity & Biometric Solutions at Thales.

“Our involvement in the post-quantum cryptography European consortium underscores our proactive approach to safeguarding sensitive data and critical systems against emerging quantum threats. By collaborating with industry leaders, we aim to responsibly anticipate and address future challenges, paving the way for a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.”

For more information about the project and opportunities for collaboration, please contact the respective partner organizations. Together, we can build a secure, quantum-resistant future for electronic travel documents.

About the PQC4eMRTD Project

The PQC4eMRTD project is a European initiative aimed at enhancing the security of electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTDs) by promoting the standardization of quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols. Funded by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme, the project brings together leading European organizations to address the challenges posed by quantum computing and ensure the future security of digital identities and eMRTDs.

SOURCE: Thales