Covid certificate – Photo © European Union 2021 – Source EP
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation entered into application Thursday, allowing EU citizens and residents to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the European Union.
21 Member States as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein had already started to issue certificates ahead of today’s deadline, while five EU countries start today.
Welcoming the launch, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: the COVID Certificate was “a symbol of an open and safe Europe that is opening cautiously putting the protection of the health of our citizens first.”
More than 200 million certificates have already been generated, and Ms von der Leyen said thios was “helping Europeans get back the freedom they value and cherish so much.”
The aim of the EU Digital COVID Certificate is to facilitate safe and free movement in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Europeans have the right to free movement, also without the certificate, but the certificate will facilitate travel, helping to exempt holders from restrictions such as quarantine.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be accessible for everyone and it:
- 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 include a digitally signed QR code;
Under the new rules, Member States must refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on holders of an EU Digital COVID Certificate, unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health.
In addition, the Commission committed to mobilising 100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to support Member States in providing affordable tests.
EU Digital COVID Certificate - background guide
