EUROPE. A proposal to create an EU Digital Certificate allowing the free movement of citizens within the EU during the pandemic has been reached between the EU Parliament and Council. The move should smooth the way to the opening of mass travel within the bloc this Summer.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are delivering on our commitment to have the EU Digital COVID Certificate up and running before the Summer. European citizens are looking forward to travelling again, and today’s agreement means they will be able to do so safely very soon.”
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is free of charge and accessible to all citizens in the region. It will include details about whether individuals have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from COVID-19.
Von der Leyen said: “All EU citizens have a fundamental right to free movement in the EU. The EU Digital COVID Certificate, available in paper or digital format, will make it easier for Europeans to travel.
“Work still remains. At EU level, the system will be ready in the next few days. It is now crucial that all Member States press ahead with the roll-out of their national systems to ensure that the system can be up and running as soon as possible.”
The EU Digital COVID Certificate – key features
Following the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council, the EU Digital COVID Certificate:
- Will cover vaccination, test and recovery;
- Will be available in a digital and paper-based format, depending on the choice of the recipients, and contain a digitally signed QR code;
- Will be free of charge, be obtained easily and also available to persons vaccinated before the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation has entered into force;
- May also be used by Member States for national purposes, if this is provided for in national law;
- Member States will not impose additional travel restrictions on the holders of an EU Digital COVID Certificate, unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health;
- The Commission will also mobilise €100 million to support Member States in providing affordable tests for travellers.
The political agreement will now be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council. The Regulation will enter into force on 1 July, with a phasing-in period of six weeks for those Member States that need additional time.
As reported, in late April the EU Parliament approved initial plans for the certificates, which prompted final negotiations on their use, which have just concluded.
Organisations urging a swift agreement, pilot testing and implementation of the certificates included the ETRC (representing the travel retail sector), ACI Europe (airports) and IATA and A4E (airlines), among others.
In a separate development, EU member states this week approved a proposal to allow vaccinated travellers from non-EU states to enter the bloc for holidays or other non-essential reasons, as reported.
