The EU has also promised that the certificates will be easily obtainable. ![]() Make sure you get it through the official channels – doubtless spurious sites are already being built to get you your certificate for a fee. More than one million people had already signed up by Tuesday, according to the European Commission. At least, that’s the bloc-wide rule individual countries can tweak the rules.Ĭurrently, the EU has approved AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Only vaccines approved for use in the EU count – so if Sinovac or Sputnik V, for example, wouldn’t count. It’s up to individual member states to decide whether the certificate is acceptable with just one.ĭoes which vaccination I received affect the certificate? Not necessarily – the certificate will log whether you’ve had one or two doses. The certificate will also store recent recovery from Covid-19, as well as negative test results – including lateral flow, as well as PCR.īooking a cruise from the US this summer? Here's what you need to know The EU has also said that it is “working to make sure that the certificates can be compatible with systems in other countries,” for holders traveling outside the bloc. Travelers from the UK are not yet exempt from EU-wide restrictions, because of the Delta variant, first found in India, and now dominant in the UK. The UK is also reported to have been in negotiations. More information is expected to be released before the official launch on July 1. Access will depend on individual countries providing certificates for their visitors. However, an EU spokesperson has told CNN that the bloc expects to open the scheme up to non-citizens – including Americans. ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesĮU citizens and their families, and legal residents, according to the official word so far. Already 22 countries have successfully tested the gateway, according to the European Commission.Ī Fiumicino airport employee displays a "Smart-Helmet" portable thermoscanner to screen passengers and staff for COVID-19, on at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Expect others to join before too long – countries which rely on tourism are trying to lure tourists back before their rivals. The EU Gateway went live on June 1 – it allows certificates to be verified across borders.Īs of June 8, there are nine EU member states signed up: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Spain. The scheme has been in the planning process since March, and was provisionally agreed on May 20. Note that the European Parliament still must vote on the scheme to make it law, but it’s expected to pass by a large majority. In fact, nine member states are already issuing certificates. However, with European countries vying for visitors, it looks doubtful there’ll be any stragglers. The scheme officially starts July 1, with member states being allowed an additional six weeks if they need. Member states have agreed on a common design.Įach issuing body has been allocated a digital signature, which is embedded in the QR code border staff will scan the QR code to see the data, although no personal data will be seen – nor will personal data of the holder go through the gateway which nations are using to verify signatures. It’ll be both in the national language of the country issuing it, plus English. Both will contain a “digitally signed QR code” which can be scanned on entry to a country. That’ll be up to the holder – you can choose from either. ![]() Also known as an “immunity pass” or “health pass,” although the EU Digital Covid Certificate is the official (and more bland) name. ![]() Yes – it’s the EU-wide scheme for travel within the bloc. Is this the same as the EU Covid vaccine passport? Switzerland is also looking likely.ĮU digital Covid-19 certificates will be open to non-EU international travelers It’ll be valid in all EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The certificate, however, will log three things: the holder’s vaccination record, negative tests, or a record of previous infection – which should make travel easier. Currently, travel between two EU countries and you’ll have to meet each of their individual rules for entry – which might mean daily testing if you’re driving through, or taking the train around the continent. This is what will hopefully be opening up travel within Europe this summer, and easing the pressure on travelers for multiple testing. So who is eligible for the certificate, and how do you get it? Here’s what to know. “The EU will be on time to open up again this summer,” said Thierry Breton, commissioner for internal market, in a statement. The EU’s Parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve the scheme on June 9. Already, nine countries are using the scheme to issue certificates, with more expected to join before the scheme officially launches on July 1.
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