Bringing citizens back to unrestricted and free movement, the Digital Green Certificate will control a re-spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Digital Green Certificate will allow every EU citizen and every member of their family to move freely in all European Member States, as the certificate will be sufficient proof of the removal of restrictions on free movement – as well as the requirements quarantine or test – implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Digital Green Certificate will be digital proof that a person either has
- vaccinated against COVID-19, either:
- took the test and received a negative Covid-19 test result either:
- there is recovery from COVID-19 and generation of antibodies against the virus.
How will citizens receive the certificate?
The national authorities are responsible for issuing the certificate. It will be issued, for example, by hospitals, testing centres and health authorities.
The digital version can be stored on a mobile device. Citizens can also request a printed version. Both (either electronically or digitally) will have a QR code containing critical information and a digital stamp confirming that the certificate is authentic.
How will it help free movement?
The Digital Green Certificate will be accepted in all EU Member States, thus helping to ensure that the restrictions currently in force can be lifted in a coordinated manner.
Any EU citizen or third-country national legally resident in the EU who holds a Digital Green Certificate will be exempt from restrictions on free movement.
Will unvaccinated citizens be able to travel to another EU country?
Yes.
The Digital Green Certificate facilitates free movement within the EU. It is not a prerequisite for free movement, which is a fundamental right in the EU. Those who passed on the virus and developed antibodies. The certificate is an opportunity to facilitate travel most safely.
How will the certificate work?
The Digital Green Certificate will contain a QR code with a digital signature to protect it against counterfeiting.
When the certificate is verified, the QR code is scanned, and the signature is verified.
Each issuing agency (e.g. hospital, testing centre, health authority) has its digital signature key. All this is stored in a secure database in each country.
The European Commission will set up a portal. Through this portal, all certificates and signatures can be verified throughout the EU. Personal data encrypted in the certificate does not pass through the portal, as this is not necessary for digital signature verification.
Does it matter which vaccine the citizens received?
Vaccination certificates will be issued to a vaccinated person for any COVID-19 vaccine.
Concerning the removal of restrictions on free movement, Member States will have to accept vaccination certificates for vaccines authorized in the EU.
Member States may decide to extend it to EU travellers who have received another vaccine.
What data does the certificate contain?
The Digital Green Certificate contains essential key information such as name, date of birth, date of issue, relevant information about the vaccine/test/recovery and a unique ID.
Certificates will only contain a limited set of the necessary information. This will not be maintained by the countries you are visiting. For verification purposes, only the validity and authenticity of the certificate is checked by verifying who issued it and signed it. All health records remain in the Member State that issued the digital green certificate.