An EU digital Covid certificate is a type of pass that allows people from EU member states to prove that they have either been vaccinated against Covid-19, received a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19.
40 non-EU countries and territories, including the UK, have also joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system.
Anyone who holds a valid certificate is in principle exempt from additional restrictions such as tests or quarantine.
But what is the certificate, and how can travellers apply for one?
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What is the EU Covid Certificate?
The EU Digital Covid Certificate is digital proof that a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus, has received a negative test result, or has recovered from Covid-19. It contains a QR code with a digital signature to ensure it cannot be falsified and allows travellers easier access to other nations.
When the certificate is checked, the QR code is scanned and the signature verified. Each issuing body (such as a hospital, a test centre, or a health authority) has its own digital signature key.
All of these are stored in a secure database in each country. The European Commission has built a gateway through which all certificate signatures can be verified across the EU.
The personal data of the certificate holder does not pass through the gateway, as this is not necessary to verify the digital signature. the European Commission also helped member states to develop national software and apps to issue, store and verify certificates andsupported them in the necessary tests to onboard the gateway.
So far, 40 non-EU countries and territories, including the UK, have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system. Certificates issues in those countries are accepted in the EU member states under the same conditions as the EU certificate itself, and vice-versa.
How do I apply for an EU Covid Certificate?
Travellers will need to contact their country's health authority to obtain a digital certificate, which also allows access to tourism venues in other countries. However, in the UK, the NHS Covid Pass works instead of the digital EU certificate.
The NHS Covid Pass was accepted as an equivalent to the EU Digital Covid Certificate in October 2021. It means that British travellers heading from Edinburgh Airport and other UK airports need only open their NHS App to access the pass instead of applying for the EU certificate.
The NHS Covid Pass was integrated into the NHS App in May last year. Users can ensure their passes are up to date by refreshing them within the app.
