The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation has now entered into application, meaning that EU citizens and residents will be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU.
21 Member States, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have already begun issuing certificates ahead of the deadline, and five EU countries began on 1 July.
Welcoming the entry into application of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The European Union is delivering for its citizens. The European Digital COVID Certificate is a symbol of an open and safe Europe that is opening cautiously putting the protection of the health of our citizens first. In March, we promised to have an EU-wide system to facilitate free and safe travel within the EU by the summer holidays. Now we can confirm that the EU Digital COVID Certificate system is up and running.
“A vast majority of EU Member States are already connected to the system and ready to issue and verify the Certificates. More than 200 million certificates have already been generated. We are helping Europeans get back the freedom they value and cherish so much.”
Digital COVID Certificate
The certificate aims to facilitate safe and free movement in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU has emphasised that all Europeans have the right to free movement without the certificate, but that the certificate will facilitate travel, helping to exempt holders from restrictions such as quarantine.
The certificate:
- Covers COVID-19 vaccination, test, and recovery
- Is free of charge and available in all EU languages
- Is available in a digital and paper-based format
- Is secure and includes a digitally signed QR code
Unless necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health, the new rules mean that Member States must not impose additional travel restrictions on holders of an EU Digital COVID Certificate.
The European Commission is also committed to mobilising €100m under the Emergency Support Instrument to support Member States in providing affordable tests.
