The certificate will be introduced in all EU Member States. Individual countries can now start issuing and using the certificate. From 1 July 2021, the certificate will be available in all EU Member States. National authorities will issue certificates free of charge. They can be obtained in digital or paper format, both with a QR code.
The EU COVID-19 digital certificate is an electronic proof that a person:
- or has been vaccinated against COVID-19
- or has obtained a negative test result
- or has passed COVID-19
The digital version can be stored on a mobile device
National authorities are responsible for issuing certificates. They can be issued by, for example, testing centers or health authorities, or they can be obtained through the Patient Portal. The digital version can be stored on a mobile device. In addition, a paper version is also available upon request. Both versions will contain a QR code with relevant information as well as a digital signature confirming that the certificate is authentic.
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The certificate is intended to help in the coordinated lifting of existing restrictions
To facilitate its recognition, Member States have agreed on a common electronic and paper-based certificate model. The EU COVID-19 digital certificate will be valid in all EU Member States. This will help to coordinate the lifting of existing restrictions. In principle, there should be no restrictions on free movement when traveling by the certificate holder. This means that Member States should not impose additional travel restrictions on him, unless they are necessary and proportionate to the objective of protecting public health.
How will such a certificate work?
The EU COVID-19 digital certificate contains a QR code with a digital signature to protect it against forgery, and when the certificate is checked, the QR code is scanned and the signature is checked. Each issuing authority (e.g. hospital, testing facility, or health authority) has its own digital signature key. Each country stores all of these keys in a secure database.
Security of personal data
The European Commission has set up a web gateway that allows signatures on certificates to be verified across the EU. The personal information of the certificate holder does not pass through a gateway as it is not required to verify the digital signature. The European Commission also helped Member States to develop national software and applications for issuing, storing and verifying certificates. She also supported them in the necessary test run of the gateway.
Having a certificate will not be a condition for free movement
The EU COVID-19 digital certificate should facilitate free movement within the Union. Having it will not be a condition of free movement, which is one of the fundamental rights in the Union. The EU COVID-19 digital certification can also confirm a test result, which is often required under current public health restrictions. The certificate is an opportunity for EU countries to adapt the existing restrictions on grounds of public health. The current recommendation on the coordination of restrictions on free movement within the EU will be revised in the first half of June with a view to the holiday season.
Member States will be required to accept vaccination certificates with each authorized vaccine
Certificates of vaccination will be issued to all persons vaccinated, regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine is given to them. Regarding free movement, Member States will have to accept vaccination certificates with any vaccine that has been authorized for marketing in the Union. In addition, they will be able to decide to extend to travelers within the EU who have been vaccinated with other vaccines. It will be up to the Member States to decide whether they will recognize vaccination certificates after the first dose has been taken or only after they have fully vaccinated.
This data remains on the certificate and is not stored or retained during the verification
The EU COVID-19 digital certificate contains basic information such as name, date of birth, date of issue, relevant information about the vaccine, test or disease history, and a unique identifier. This data remains on the certificate and is not stored or retained during the verification of the certificate in another Member State. Certificates will only contain a limited set of necessary information. The visited countries cannot store such data. The audit only checks the authenticity and validity of the certificate by checking who issued and signed it. All health data remains with the country that issued the certificate.
Features of such a certificate:
- digital format or paper QR code
- free of charge
- in the national language or in English
- safe and secured
- valid in all EU countries
The certificate system will enter into force on July 1, 2021 for 12 months. Certificates will not be a condition of free movement and will not be considered travel documents.
