Technical component of the passport (microchip)
Finland is committed to a European Union Regulation imposing a requirement to contain a digital facial image and fingerprints on a microchip inside the passport. The microchip technology in passports is based on an international standard of the ICAO, or International Civil Aviation Organization, an agency of the United Nations.
The new Finnish passports comply with all ICAO specifications and EU regulations. Additionally, Finnish passports contain all the additional security features advocated by the standard.
The microchip contains all the data that is visible on the information page: a facial image, personal data and passport data. The microchip also contains the fingerprints, which are not visible on the information page of the passport.
The data on the microchip is protected against abuse.
Operating principles of the passport information page microchip
The passport contains a microchip and an aerial embedded in the information page made of plastic. This enables the wireless reading of the passport data using a dedicated microchip reader. The microchip does not have a power source of its own, and it receives its power from the reader via the aerial.
The data stored on the microchip is secured with the digital signature of the State of Finland, ensuring that the chip only contains data stored by the authority having issued the passport. The data on the microchip is protected against unauthorised reading.
Right to check the information on the microchip
The passport holder has the right to at any time check his or her personal data stored on the microchip in his or her passport. For more information on using this right and the nearest service point where the information can be checked, please contact the police department in your own area.
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