EU agrees upon a "digital EU COVID certificate”
Digital proof will make travelling easier
IK – 05/2021
The EC presented a proposal for a
regulation covering a "digital green certificate"[2021/0068 (COD)] that will make free movement within the
EU easier as far back as mid-March, 2021. On May 20, 2021, the EU member states
as well as the European Parliament agreed upon the details for a pan-European
certificate that will be called the "digital EU COVID certificate” in the
future.
By using this digital certificate in the
form of a QR code, EU citizens will then be able to provide proof of
coronavirus vaccinations, negative coronavirus tests and that they have
survived COVID-19 type illnesses. This is a major step towards making travel
within the EU much easier in the near future. The "EU COVID digital
certificate" will be valid for 12 months initially.
National restrictions were the sticking point
Various points were discussed intensively
during the run-up to the agreement. For example, there was a dispute over
whether and to what extent EU countries should be able to set up their own
travel restrictions as well as the measures for easing them. The current
agreement provides for no interference with the sovereignty of the member states,
but further restrictions such as quarantining for those who tested negative,
have been vaccinated or cured, should only be introduced if the infection
situation so requires it.
Access to free Covid-19 tests
Furthermore, the European Parliament also
called for a European solution regarding free testing. This should provide an
alternative for non-vaccinated or healthy persons and avoid any discrimination.
However, the European Parliament was not able to get its way with this. The
compromise only provides for "affordable" testing opportunities. The
EC pledged to make at least 100 million euros available for purchasing rapid
Covid-19 test kits.
Recognition of vaccines
The precise start date is still open
With the agreement in Brussels, EU
countries will have an interface on which they can base their national digital
certificates. The system will be introduced by the end of June 2021. However,
it is still unclear precisely when the European certificate will be implemented
in each one of the member states. They will all be given a 6-week transition
period.