The European Union has launched its Digital COVID Certificate, which allows participating countries to verify certificates.
Available in digital format or on paper, it will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, tested negative, or recovered from an infection.
The certificate has been introduced to facilitate travel between European countries this summer, with the first members of the EU to adopt the certificate include Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia, and Poland.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, commented: “The EU Digital COVID Certificate shows the value added of effective e-health solutions for our citizens. It is important that during the coming weeks, all Member States fully finalise their national systems to issue, store and verify certificates, so the system is functioning in time for the holiday season. EU citizens are looking forward to travelling again, and they want to do so safely. Having an EU certificate is a crucial step on the way.”
Member states who are not signed up to the certificate yet can still accept travellers who have the certificate. By the 1st of July it is hoped all member states will have fully adopted the certificate.
National Health Huthorities have been allowed to designate how citizens access the certificate, and it could incorporate to existing eHealth apps used by member states. The vaccination certificate can be used regardless which vaccine a citizen has received.
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, said: “The EU Digital COVID Certificate provides European citizens with a common tool to allow them to move freely and safely again. It showcases Europe’s technological leadership in full respect of our values and principles: data protection, inclusiveness, and proportionality. It is important that all Member States use the next weeks to get fully ready, so the system will be fully up and running on 1 July.”
To learn more about the digital certificate, visit the EU guide on the Digital COVID Certificate here.
