Travel safely with the EU Digital Covid Certificate

Find out how the new EU Digital Covid Certificate allows you to travel safely and easily in Europe during the pandemic.

The European Parliament backs an EU Digital Covid Certificate that makes travelling easier. But what is it exactly?

How does the EU Digital Covid Certificate work?


The certificate makes it easier for you to travel safely through the EU by showing that you have been vaccinated, had a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.


It is issued by national authorities.


This information takes the form of a QR code, which can be electronic (on your smartphone or tablet, for instance) or printed and scanned when travelling.


The certificate is free.


The system came into effect on 1 July, will be in place for 12 months and covers all 27 EU countries as well as some non-EU countries.

Find out the latest information on the countries participating in the EU Digital Covid Certificate initiative


Can I use it to travel?


No, you will still need your passport or another form of identification.


You don’t have to have the certificate to travel - national requirements then remain in place - but having it should make travelling easier. For example, it could mean you don't have to quarantine.


However, if exceptional circumstances arise in an EU country, such as the sudden appearance and spread of a new variant, new restrictions may have to be put in place.

What is included under the EU Digital Covid Certificate?


There are three versions of the certificate:

  • Vaccination certificate
  • Test certificate: indicates the holder’s result, type and date of a NAAT test or a rapid antigen test
  • Recovery certificate: confirms that the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection following a positive NAAT test

Antibody testing is not recognised, though this may change.


Tests recognised under the certificate include Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) tests, such as RT-PCR tests and rapid antigen tests.


The European Commission will use at least €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to purchase the Covid tests needed for the test certificate.


MEPs approved the EU Digital Covid Certificate during the plenary session that took place in Strasbourg in June 2021.

A young woman traveler wearing protective mask getting in airplane and ready to take off: the EU Digital Covid Certificate will make it easier to travel
The EU Digital Covid Certificate makes it easier to travel in Europe ©AdobeStock/ToneFotografia