The EU vaccine ‘passport’ and what it means for travel

An EU vaccine “passport” has been introduced, enabling holders to prove they have been jabbed.

The EU Digital Covid Certificate can be used to avoid self-isolating on arrival in the UK, if travelling from amber-list countries.

What’s the EU Digital Covid Certificate?

It is available in all 27 member nations – plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

EU citizens (and those of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), can download it or obtain a paper copy – at no cost. It is also available to non-EU nationals living legally in member states who have the right to travel to other member states.

Because the UK is no longer in the EU, the certificate is not available to most Britons.

EU nationals vaccinated in the UK must check with their home countries to see if they are eligible.

Travellers will still need to carry a passport or other identification.

How does it work?

The certificate can be issued if someone has:

• been vaccinated against Covid-19
• recently had a negative PCR test
• recently recovered from Covid-19

Anyone holding a certificate should, in principle, be exempted from testing or quarantine when crossing a border within the EU (or Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).

It has a QR code unique to the place an individual’s vaccine information is stored – a hospital or test centre, for example. The personal data is not saved locally when it’s verified – at an airport, for example.

Can I travel to the UK and use the NHS Covid Pass instead?

The NHS Covid Pass is a similar vaccine “passport”, but it is only for people who have been fully vaccinated through the NHS.

People in England arriving from an amber country can avoid quarantine by using the pass (or by calling 119 for a printed letter).

• The NHS Covid Pass is available in Wales
• People in Scotland can get a letter
• Northern Ireland has a temporary system in place

Can I use the NHS Covid Pass in the EU?

You can’t yet use it EU-wide – but some individual countries, such as Greece, Malta and Spain, do accept it.

The EU says it’s working to ensure its own certificate is compatible with similar products.

If it’s satisfied the NHS pass complies with EU standards and systems, it can decide to accept it.

………………………………………………………