The European access control market is entering a phase of transformation in 2025, driven by a combination of regulatory pressure, technological innovation, and a growing demand for unified building management.
Privacy frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), coupled with the rise of open communication standards and identity-first architectures, are redefining how physical access control systems are designed, deployed, and managed across the region.
For security systems integrators and consultants, these shifts mean that success now depends as much on understanding legal obligations and enterprise operations as it does on mastering technology. The focus is increasingly moving from standalone systems to fully integrated ecosystems that connect access control with video surveillance, HR databases, and building automation.
According to James Clark, Director of Sales for EMEA & APAC at AMAG Technology, the European access control industry is evolving from “readers and doors” toward holistic identity and data management. The market’s trajectory is now shaped less by hardware evolution and more by regulatory interpretation, interoperability, and operational maturity.
GDPR’s lasting impact on access control
Europe’s strict data protection framework continues to influence how biometric and mobile access systems are designed and deployed. “GDPR and the interpretation of its application has often challenged the access control industry,” Clark said. The regulation classifies biometric data as “special category” data, which means that organizations must establish a clear legal basis for its collection and use.
“GDPR significantly impacts biometric access control by classifying biometric data as ‘special category’ data, so projects need a clear legal basis (typically explicit consent or a tightly framed legitimate interest) and strict safeguards for collection, storage, and use,” Clark explained. This requirement has created a complex environment for integrators who must ensure compliance at every stage of deployment.
Clark emphasized that the real challenge lies not in technology itself but in human understanding. “The real friction isn’t the technology; it is operationalizing the GDPR requirements across design, deployment, daily handling, and auditing,” he said. “It’s the human understanding of the requirements of GDPR that constrain the ability to execute.”
For integrators, this means ensuring every project phase, from system design to maintenance, is guided by consistent privacy protocols. Mistakes in interpretation or implementation can expose end users to regulatory risk, highlighting the need for repeatable and well-documented processes.
The rise of open standards and mobile credentials
The transition from proprietary to open systems is accelerating across Europe. Clark pointed out that open standards like the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) are gaining traction for their ability to enhance interoperability and long-term flexibility.
“Yes, adoption is accelerating,” he said. “OSDP delivers enhanced security, future-ready interoperability, longer communication ranges and bi-directional communication, and greater remote management compared to legacy Wiegand.”
While OSDP-based panels can cost more and require more advanced installer expertise, Clark noted that these challenges are outweighed by long-term benefits.
“Panels can cost more and installers need a higher level of expertise, but once teams are over the learning curve, the installs are faster and the total cost of install and maintenance can compare favorably,” he said.
This shift also aligns with the broader move toward mobile credentials, as organizations look for flexible, scalable solutions that support hybrid work models and multi-site access. Mobile credentials allow for remote provisioning and deactivation, offering both convenience and improved security.
Integration beyond security systems
Across the region, the definition of “integration” is expanding. Instead of connecting just access control and video surveillance, integrators are now expected to tie physical security systems into the broader ecosystem of building management and enterprise operations.
“Integrators cannot constrain their thinking to just the security systems they are offering, but must embrace a desire to understand the holistic end-user problems that they are solving,” Clark said. “Successful leaders start with identifying an operational outcome such as: people flow, safety, compliance, energy, or experience, and work backward to achieve results.”
This outcome-driven approach is leading to what Clark calls “true systems integration.” “True ‘systems integration,’ not just ‘security integration,’ ties access control, video and identity management to HR/payroll, HVAC, workplace apps and visitor management platforms together,” he said.
Such cross-functional integration reflects the industry’s move toward “identity-first architecture.” Clark explained that in this model, the user identity serves as the foundation for system design, and building systems are connected to serve that strategy. “The winning approach is implementing an identity-first architecture with building systems snapped in to serve that strategy,” he said.
For integrators, this trend demands broader technical skills and closer collaboration with IT and facility management teams. The traditional focus on securing doors and readers is evolving into a requirement to secure and optimize the entire lifecycle of identity data across digital and physical spaces.
Navigating privacy and operational challenges
Operating under Europe’s stringent privacy laws continues to test the preparedness of many integration firms. Clark noted that compliance must be more than a checkbox exercise, it needs to be embedded across every organizational layer.
“The biggest challenges for integrators is having an organization-wide understanding and repeatable processes,” he said. “Teams need shared fluency in privacy requirements and a way to embed them into every phase: requirements, design, commissioning, maintenance, auditing, and incident response.”
He added that the technical capability of platforms is rarely the issue. “The challenge isn’t whether the platform can comply; it’s about interpreting privacy laws the right way and building them into operational processes where you don’t contravene those privacy laws and you protect people’s privacy.”
This means integrators must invest in staff training, documentation, and process automation to ensure compliance is maintained even after system handover. Those who can demonstrate consistent privacy assurance will gain a competitive edge in sectors such as government, healthcare, and finance, where data protection expectations are highest.
Sectoral momentum: data centers and utilities lead
As organizations modernize their security infrastructure, certain verticals are outpacing others in access control investment. Clark said that the most advanced buyers are prioritizing identity management across distributed facilities rather than focusing narrowly on hardware.
“The most advanced buyers are focused on identity management across mixed estates rather than ‘readers and doors,’” he said. “Data centers lead; they are high stakes, high scale, multi-vendor environments that demand identity-first control without rip-and-replace.”
In data centers, seamless identity management is critical for operational security, given the scale and sensitivity of operations. These facilities often host multiple vendors and require strict adherence to compliance and audit protocols.
Utilities are another sector driving growth. “Utilities follow closely, with dispersed sites and rotating workforces where identity lifecycle and cross-system interoperability are as critical as the physical lock on the door,” Clark said. These organizations often manage geographically spread infrastructures and need to enable secure access for contractors and maintenance personnel across multiple locations.
Outlook for next year
The European access control landscape in 2025 is increasingly defined by integration, privacy awareness, and the convergence of IT and physical security. Integrators are moving from a product-centric approach to a service-oriented one that aligns with enterprise outcomes and sustainability goals.
With the rapid adoption of OSDP and mobile credentials, the industry is laying the groundwork for smarter, identity-driven environments. However, success depends on integrators’ ability to operationalize compliance, upskill technical teams, and understand their customers’ broader objectives.
As Clark indicated, integrators who start by solving holistic operational problems rather than selling systems will lead the next wave of access control innovation in Europe.
For security systems integrators and consultants, this means that 2025 is not just about deploying access control technologies, it is about architecting interoperable, compliant, and identity-centric ecosystems that enhance both security and business efficiency.