Green light for the digital COVID certificate

Jun 9, 2021 Benn-Ibler Rechtsanwälte

On 17 March 2021, the European Commission proposed the introduction of a digital green certificate to serve as proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, tested negative or recovered. Within two months, the Commission, Council and Parliament agreed on the introduction of the digital COVID certificate.

The certificate is to be available digitally or in paper form at the request of the recipient and contain a digitally signed QR code. The regulation is to have retroactive effect, thus also covering the group of people who were vaccinated before 1 July 2021. One of the main motives of the certificate is to prevent Member States from imposing additional travel restrictions on EU citizens, unless the measures are necessary and proportionate to protect public health. Third-country nationals residing within the EU should also be eligible to apply. The COVID certificate should be free, secure and accessible to all.

Formal approval by the EU Parliament and the Council is still required for implementation. The Member States have been given a deadline of 6 weeks from 1 July for issuing them. The Commission supports the Member States in the technical implementation and has provided open source reference software and a wallet reference app specifically for this purpose. Furthermore, the Commission is mobilizing a budget of €100 million for the provision of tests within the Member States.

Commission President Von der Leyen states: "All EU citizens have a fundamental right to free movement in the EU. The COVID digital certificate will make it easier for Europeans to travel."

European Commission, Press release (20 May 2021)