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.
EU Digital COVID Certificate was signed into law on Monday and will enable people in the EU to travel more safely this summer, according to a press release.
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 Commission committed is to mobilising €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to support Member States in providing affordable tests and the Regulation will apply for 12 months as of 1 July 2021.
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
“The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a symbol of what Europe stands for, a Europe that does not falter when put to the test and that unites and grows when faced with challenges,” said Presidents David Sassoli and Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister António Costa.
„The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation was agreed between our institutions in the record time of 62 days. While we worked through the legislative process, we also built the technical backbone of the system, the EU gateway, which is live since 1 June,” added the leaders.
Member States shall 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.