Global Automated Border Control Market By Component (Hardware, Software, Service), By Solution (ABC e-gate v/s ABC kiosk), By Application (Airport, Land port, Seaport), By Company, By Region, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.85 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	16.92%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hardware
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 7.28 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automated Border Control Market will grow from USD 2.85 Billion in 2025 to USD 7.28 Billion by 2031 at a 16.92% CAGR. Automated Border Control systems encompass technological solutions such as electronic gates and self-service kiosks that utilize biometric verification to automate the identity validation process at border crossing points. These systems are primarily driven by the critical need to enhance operational efficiency and security protocols in response to rising global passenger volumes. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, 46% of travelers utilized biometric identification at airport checkpoints with a high level of satisfaction.

Despite this positive trajectory, the market faces a significant impediment related to data privacy and regulatory compliance. The collection and storage of sensitive biometric data raise substantial concerns among passengers and regulatory bodies regarding potential misuse or cybersecurity breaches. Consequently, strict data protection laws and the public's hesitation to share personal information remain a challenge that could decelerate the widespread implementation of these automated systems globally.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in international passenger traffic volume acts as a primary catalyst for the deployment of automated border control solutions. As traveler numbers rebound, traditional manual processing methods struggle to maintain throughput, resulting in bottlenecks and extended wait times at checkpoints. This congestion compels border authorities to integrate automated electronic gates and kiosks to streamline entry and exit procedures without compromising security standards. According to Airports Council International World, July 2024, in the 'Annual World Airport Traffic Dataset', international passenger traffic increased by 36.5% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This substantial growth necessitates scalable technological interventions that allow authorities to process larger cohorts of travelers efficiently while optimizing the allocation of human resources to higher-risk security tasks.

The rapid adoption of advanced biometric and AI technologies further accelerates market expansion by enabling contactless and seamless passenger processing. Governments and airport operators are increasingly investing in facial recognition and document verification algorithms to create friction-free corridors that enhance the user experience and verify identities with high precision. According to SITA, February 2024, in the '2023 Air Transport IT Insights' report, 70% of airlines expect to have biometric ID management solutions in place by 2026. This technological shift is supported by broader operational demands across the aviation sector. According to the Transportation Security Administration, in 2024, a record-breaking volume was observed when officers screened over 3 million individuals in a single day, highlighting the urgent necessity for automated systems to manage throughput effectively.

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Key Market Challenges

Data privacy and regulatory compliance represent a formidable barrier to the expansion of the Global Automated Border Control Market. As border agencies integrate biometric technologies, they encounter stringent legal frameworks regarding the collection, storage, and cross-border sharing of sensitive personal identity information. These regulations necessitate robust, often expensive, cybersecurity infrastructures to prevent breaches, thereby increasing the capital expenditure required for deployment and causing airports to delay implementation plans to avoid heavy non-compliance penalties.

Furthermore, public skepticism significantly dampens the adoption rate of these automated solutions. Travelers often fear that their immutable biometric characteristics could be mishandled or targeted by cybercriminals, leading to identity theft that is difficult to rectify. This hesitation directly correlates with lower utilization rates of installed infrastructure, reducing the return on investment for border authorities. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, 50% of travelers expressed concerns about data protection regarding biometric usage. Consequently, this lack of trust forces operators to maintain redundant manual processing lines, thereby neutralizing the efficiency gains that drive the market's growth.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of mobile-based digital travel credentials is fundamentally altering identity management by shifting verification from physical checkpoints to a passenger-controlled remote process. This trend empowers travelers to create a secure digital token on their smartphones prior to arrival, distinct from traditional biometric gates that rely on centralized database checks at the moment of passage. This evolution is evidenced by growing passenger readiness to adopt mobile-centric solutions to retain control over their personal data. According to SITA, June 2024, in the '2024 Passenger IT Insights', 75% of passengers expressed comfort with storing their digital identity on their mobile phones to facilitate faster processing. Consequently, vendors are developing interoperable applications that integrate with border infrastructure, reducing the reliance on static hardware.

Simultaneously, the expansion of automated solutions to land and maritime borders represents a crucial diversification beyond the aviation sector. Regulatory mandates are forcing operators of rail terminals and sea ports to deploy ruggedized e-gates capable of managing complex vehicular and pedestrian flows. This transition requires specialized hardware that functions effectively in variable environmental conditions, differing significantly from the controlled interiors of airport deployments. Highlighting this investment shift, according to Eurostar, May 2024, in a press release regarding terminal upgrades, the operator announced an allocation of €10 million to install new biometric kiosks and automated gates at London St Pancras to meet compliance requirements. This confirms a broadening market scope where automation becomes standard across all modes of international transport.

Segmental Insights

The Hardware segment emerges as the fastest-growing category within the Global Automated Border Control Market due to the accelerated deployment of physical infrastructure at international entry points. This expansion is driven by the widespread installation of automated e-gates and self-service kiosks designed to manage increasing traveler volumes efficiently. Regulatory entities, including the European Union and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are enforcing stricter biometric entry-exit mandates that necessitate robust data collection devices. Consequently, authorities are prioritizing capital investment in document readers and biometric scanners to ensure compliance with these enhanced security standards.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the Global Automated Border Control Market, driven by an expansive rise in international passenger traffic and substantial investments in airport infrastructure modernization. Major economies, including China and India, are aggressively upgrading terminal facilities to manage high traveler volumes, utilizing biometric e-gates to enhance processing efficiency. Furthermore, stringent security directives from national government agencies have accelerated the regional deployment of automated clearance systems. Data from the International Air Transport Association indicates a robust recovery in travel demand, compelling airport authorities to prioritize these scalable technologies, thereby securing the region's position as the global market leader.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, SITA partnered with São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil to complete the first phase of a major automation initiative, installing 42 new Automated Border Control gates. These state-of-the-art biometric units replaced legacy infrastructure in Terminal 3, allowing for a significantly faster immigration process for international passengers. The updated gates employed facial recognition and fingerprint scanning technologies to verify traveler identities in approximately ten seconds. This modernization effort aimed to manage surging passenger flows securely, with the project reflecting the airport's commitment to adopting digital solutions for improved operational efficiency and passenger experience.
• In December 2024, IDEMIA Public Security secured a ten-year extension of its agreement with the Australian Department of Home Affairs to support and upgrade biometric infrastructure at the country's airports. This renewed collaboration focused on maintaining and enhancing the Smart Gates and kiosks essential for automated border processing. The agreement underscored the company's long-standing role in delivering secure and efficient identity management solutions for Australian borders. Through this continued partnership, the technology provider committed to driving further innovation in traveler facilitation, ensuring the systems remained capable of handling increasing passenger volumes while adhering to rigorous security standards.
• In December 2024, Thales deployed sophisticated new eGates at the Ceuta and Melilla Schengen entry points in Spain to modernize critical land border infrastructure. These automated units utilized advanced facial and fingerprint recognition technology to process over 10,000 travelers daily, ensuring compliance with the European Union's Entry/Exit System regulations. The deployment was engineered to improve operational efficiency and security by enabling rapid and accurate identity verification for individuals crossing the border. This project demonstrated the company's ability to implement resilient border management solutions that integrated automation with high-level cybersecurity to protect sensitive traveler data.
• In January 2024, Amadeus announced the acquisition of Vision-Box, a prominent provider of biometric solutions for airports and border control, for approximately €320 million. This strategic transaction was designed to integrate advanced hardware and software capabilities into the company's portfolio, facilitating a seamless passenger journey from booking to boarding. The acquisition aimed to connect the travel industry through a unified ecosystem, addressing the growing global demand for frictionless travel and automated processing. By incorporating the specialized technology of the Portugal-based firm, Amadeus sought to enhance interoperability between airlines, airports, and border authorities, significantly expanding its presence in the biometrics market.

Key Market Players

• Thales Group
• IDEMIA
• NEC Corporation
• Vision-Box
• SITA S.A.
• Secunet Security Networks AG
• Indra Sistemas S.A.
• Gunnebo AB
• HID Global Corporation
• Atos SE

By Component	By Solution	By Application	By Region
Hardware Software Service	ABC e-gate v/s ABC kiosk	Airport Land port Seaport	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automated Border Control Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automated Border Control Market, By Component:

• Hardware
• Software
• Service

• Automated Border Control Market, By Solution:

• ABC e-gate v/s ABC kiosk

• Automated Border Control Market, By Application:

• Airport
• Land port
• Seaport

• Automated Border Control Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE