Understanding the EU Digital COVID Certificate
The EU digital COVID certificate scheme has expanded and is now open to all member states and 16 non-EU countries including Israel, Morocco, and Panama. This certificate facilitates easier travel by digitally verifying travelers’ COVID-19 data.
What is the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate?
The certificate represents an EU-wide initiative aimed at facilitating free movement across the bloc during the pandemic. Essentially functioning as a vaccine passport, it tracks individuals’ COVID-19 status—indicating whether the holder has been vaccinated, tested negative for the virus, or recovered from infection. Vaccination, testing, and recovery certificates are issued by individual countries and can be stored in a mobile app or printed out for use.
How Does it Work?
The digital certificate is accessible on a mobile device, and travelers can also opt for a paper version. Both formats include a QR code encompassing crucial information, such as the holder’s name, date of birth, and vaccination or recovery details, along with a digital seal to verify authenticity. Notably, those who possess the certificate should be exempt from most COVID-19 restrictions, including quarantine and additional testing, “unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health.”
Moreover, individuals can utilize the EU digital COVID certificate to exhibit their COVID-19 status for entry into restaurants, bars, museums, and other venues that require such proof.
Is it Free?
Yes, the EU digital COVID certificate is offered at no cost.
Who Needs the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate?
While not mandatory for travel, the certificate is designed to simplify the process. If you travel to a country that requires proof of vaccination, recovery, or testing, you may present an approved health certificate without needing to participate in the program.
Where is it Available?
The certificate is accessible to citizens and residents of all EU member states, which include:
- Austrian
- Belgian
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Furthermore, it is also available to 16 non-EU countries and territories, including Albania, Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Israel, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Turkey, Ukraine, and the Vatican. Consequently, COVID certificates issued in these areas are recognized within the EU under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate.
How to Present Proof of Vaccination If Your Country is Not Registered?
The EU digital COVID certificate is specifically available for residents of designated countries. If you are traveling from a country not on the list, you can still present your valid health certificate for border crossings. For example, travelers from the United States are required to show their vaccination status with the white Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card, which is acceptable for entry into most EU nations.
Travelers from the UK can generally prove their status using the NHS app. However, the UK is underway to join the program as various reports indicate that negotiations are in process.
Approved Vaccinations
Countries enrolled in the program accept certificates for vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), such as Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, some member states also accept other vaccines listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use, including Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
Can Children Obtain a Certificate?
The EMA has authorized the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children aged 12 to 17. For non-vaccinated minors, presenting a negative test result or recovery certificate is permissible based on destination requirements. These certificates can be acquired by parents or guardians and stored within their mobile app.
This article reflects current information and guidelines surrounding the EU digital COVID certificate.
