The Presidents of the three EU institutions, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission attended the official signing ceremony for the Regulation on the EU Digital Covid Certificate, marking the end of the legislative process.

The aim of the EU Digital Covid Certificate is to facilitate safe and free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic and it will come into effect from the 1st of July.

It was explained that all Europeans have the right to free movement, also without the certificate, but the certificate will facilitate travel, exempting holders from restrictions like quarantine.

The EU Digital Covid Certificate will be accessible for everyone and it will: cover Covid-19 vaccination, test and recovery; be free of charge and available in all EU languages; be available in a digital and paper-based format; be secure and include a digitally signed QR code.

It was agreed that Member States will refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on the holders of an EU Digital Covid Certificate, unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health.

In addition, the Commission committed to mobilising €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to support Member States in providing affordable tests.

The Regulation will apply for 12 months as of the 1st of July 2021.

Following the official signature today, the Regulation will enter into application on the 1st of July, with a phasing-in period of six weeks for the issuance of certificates for those Member States that need additional time.

13 Member States have already started to issue EU Digital Covid Certificates.

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