NFC Passport: What is it and how does it work?

Did you know that your passport is actually an NFC passport? You see, there is an NFC chip embedded in every passport. All your data is stored on this chip. You can retrieve this data by scanning the NFC passport. How exactly this works and why it is done is explained in this blog.

Why an NFC passport?

Mainly, we see more and more financial services asking for identification via passport. Using a phone, you can scan the NFC chip in your passport. This allows you to make your data available to a financial service, for example. This feature is important for banks since they are required to identify all customers. With an application on your phone, you can easily transmit your data to the bank.

How does an NFC passport work?

Inside the NFC passport is an NFC chip. This chip is very thin, so most people don't even know it is incorporated into the passport. The chip contains your personal data. This data is programmed onto the NFC chip before the passport is issued. Once a device comes into contact with the NFC chip, it has the ability to read the chip. The chip can use the power of the device you scan with, eliminating the need for batteries or a battery. This power can then be used to send the data to the device.

What kind of data is on it?

The NFC chip stores your personal data. Think of your photo, personal data, document type, name, nationality, date of birth, gender, Citizen Service Number and more. In addition, you can see if the document is valid and if it has been fraudulent. Once you scan the passport, you will be able to see this information immediately.

Is my data safe?

If we look at the old method, the NFC passport is a safer method to use for verification than the old method of making a copy of the passport. In fact, this is more susceptible to fraud. Financial services companies can only use the scan of the document for verification to check that it is a legitimate passport. A copy of the passport can be more easily intercepted by criminals. For example, by taking a screenshot, a criminal can already close something in your name.

By using the NFC passport, you no longer need to make a copy of your passport. Do you need a secure way to copy your passport? Then we recommend the government's application called KopieID. With this application, it is possible to cross out certain data and you can put a watermark on it. This significantly reduces your risk.

The security of the NFC chip in the passport

Of course, the chip is equipped with special security. Thanks to this security, the chip cannot be read undetected. It can also be seen if the chip has been duplicated or certain data has been duplicated. In addition, the digital signature can be checked to see if it matches the passport. The NFC chip communicates through an encrypted reader, which ensures that others cannot read the chip. Also, the chip has a permanent lock, which prevents new data from being added. In short, the NFC chip is more secure than making a copy.

Read more about the NFC chip in your ID card here!