Key Points
- A COVID-19 Certificate issued by EU countries will authorize travel between all EU countries.
- Individual countries will issue the COVID-19 Certificates.
- Certificates will be issued via a QR code with advanced security features.
- Personal data will not be shared with other countries.
Overview
On Wednesday, June 9, the European Parliament endorsed a new COVID-19 Certificate that will allow travelers to move between EU states without extra quarantine requirements or coronavirus testing. The certificate will be accepted across all 27 states beginning July 1, 2021.
What has Changed?
Currently, traveling within the EU is challenging given the various individual country travel bans and restrictions in place. Each nation is applying different rules and standards, which makes travel confusing. Yesterday, the European Parliament voted to unite these regulations with a common COVID-19 Certificate.
Several EU countries have already begun using the system, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and Poland.
Beginning July 1st, all EU countries must recognize the COVID-19 Certificate for one year. Certificates will be issued free of charge. They will certify that a foreign national has either been fully vaccinated against the virus, has recently tested negative or has recovered from the disease.
COVID-19 Certificates will be issued by individual nations, not from a centralized European system. Certificates will contain a QR code with advanced security features so that personal data is not shared with other countries. Most countries will be issuing COVID-19 Certificates digitally.
Note that individual states still have the authority implement travel restrictions, if necessary, to combat the spread of future outbreaks or COVID variants.
Looking Forward
The European Union is eager to streamline and ease travel restrictions during the summer season. All states are committed to reopening their economies as safely and quickly as possible.
Please check with your Legal Team for additional information on how to obtain a COVID-19 Certificate. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
