Covid-19 Vaccine Passport or Certificate to Travel in Europe

European Union Commission President, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, supports a standard vaccination certificate passport, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is developing an international certificate.

Some European countries are planning to reduce COVID travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers and citizens, recognizing vaccine passports and vaccination certificates issued by other EU and non-EU countries.

Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Israel, Spain, Iceland, Georgia are setting up Covid-19 Vaccine Passports for their citizens and have consented to recognize non-European passports/certificates.

Making the above destinations a good choice for travelers who have completed their COVID vaccine.

Other European countries have also stated their commitment to recognizing passports issued by other countries giving non-European travelers access to the continent.

How to get your Covid-19 Vaccine Passport when traveling in Europe?

Whether in digital or paper form, the passport/certificate will be issued to you by your country of origin once you’re vaccinated.

The document must be validated by the respective country of origin and state the name, date of birth, health number, type and date of the test and vaccines (date of both doses taken) with confirmation the vaccine immunization period is completed.

How to travel in Europe without the Vaccine Passport?

A Covid-19 vaccine passport will allow you to avoid additional formalities and get around more freely. However, suppose you do not have documents or the opportunity to get vaccinated before you leave on your trip. Then a negative Covid19 test carried out 72 hours before your departure is required.

Traveling by car does not exempt you from providing the proper documents or a negative covid-19 test.

A few countries like Italy, Portugal and Croatia are establishing residence permits for digital nomads. These professional visas will allow you to stay and work in the selected country.

What if you have tested positive and recovered?

Some destinations like Madeira, Batumi, will expedite travelers who tested positive and have since recovered 90 days before their departure. However, other countries still require a test or a vaccination passport/certificate.

Below is a selection of the pioneer European nations committed to recognizing the vaccination certificate or vaccine passport.

• The Czech Republic,
• Denmark,
• Greece,
• Georgia,
• Iceland,
• Italy,
• Poland,
• Portugal,
• Spain,
• Sweden.