“Technology does not transform cities on its own; the decisions we make with it do.”

That idea, often repeated in the field of technological innovation, neatly captures the current moment cities are in. Digitalisation is no longer a future aspiration, but a reality that is changing how we move, identify ourselves, and access public services.

In this context, digital identity has become a key element. And that is precisely the central theme with which Mobbeel will be present at Smart Cities Summit 2026 in Lisbon, one of Europe’s leading events in urban innovation.

Portugal Smart Cities Summit as a meeting point for smart cities in Europe

Smart Cities Summit 2026 brings together every year public administrations, technology companies, and experts in digital transformation with a shared goal: to rethink what the cities of the future should look like.

For three days, Lisbon becomes a hub for debate and innovation, where real solutions to improve urban life are shared. In the previous edition, more than 3,000 attendees took part, along with over 100 exhibitors and international speakers, as well as high-level institutional representatives, including mayors and senior public officials.

When and where the Smart Cities Summit 2026 takes place

Portugal Smart Cities Summit 2026 will be held from May 12 to 14, 2026, at FIL (Feira Internacional de Lisboa), the largest convention venue in Portugal.

Why it matters

The Smart Cities Summit goes beyond showcasing technology by addresing major urban callenges with practical solutions. 

Among the most relevant topics are:

• Digital transformation of public administration
• Sustainable mobility
• Environmental sustainability
• Improving quality of life in urban environments

The event fosters collaboration between public administration and technology companies to develop practical, actionable solutions rather than just conceptual ideas.

When we talk about smart cities, we are not only referring to sensors, mobile applications, or connected infrastructure. We are talking about systems capable of recognising people securely to provide personalised and efficient services.

This is where digital identity comes into play. Technologies such as biometrics now enable scenarios that seemed futuristic just a few years ago: accessing buildings through facial recognition, authenticating entry to offices with a fingerprint, or speeding up airport transit through automated systems that identify passengers in seconds.

All of this not only improves the user experience, but also reduces friction, enhances security, and optimizes processes in both the public and private sectors.

Real cases of digital identity in urban environments

Digital identity is no longer a promise, but a reality implemented across multiple sectors and used in our daily lives.

In the airport sector, Mobbeel has deployed self-service kiosk and e-gate solutions in airports across Spain, Italy, and Portugal, enabling fast and secure passenger identity verification and streamlining the management of entry and exit flows.

In the public sector, the GISS project developed together with Social Security allows citizens to complete administrative procedures through video identification, without physically visiting an office.

And in the education sector, the University of Murcia has implemented these systems for online enrollment, demonstrating that biometrics can also be successfully applied in public institutions.

These examples reflect a clear reality: digital identity is already part of the everyday functioning of administrations and essential services.

Write to us if you are attending Smart Cities Lisbon and would like to schedule a meeting with our team.

Whitepaper

Digital identity in the University of Murcia

The beginning of any relationship between a university and its users whether students, staff, or collaborators requires precise and secure verification to ensure data protection and the integrity of its systems.