As vaccines roll out and the world opens up, many of us are looking to dust off our passports and make up for the time we spent in quarantine.

What better way to do so than by planning a trip to Europe? A destination favored by many, Europe is looking to introduce new entry rules and regulations ahead of the summer tourism season. Tourists planning their trip may now very well prepare their documents such as Turkey e visa in addition to these new regulations.

One of the biggest changes is the launch of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (also known as the EUDCC). With this certificate, travelers and foreign workers will be able to seamlessly enter the EU by showing proof of vaccination or their test result.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the Digital COVID Certificate, as well as which countries are already accepting it. Since this is a developing program, you can also check here for the latest news and updates.

What is the EU Digital COVID Certificate?

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document that will act as proof that the holder is eligible to enter a country, either through their vaccination status or test results. The ‘digital’ aspect of the certificate comes in the form of a QR code that the immigration officer can scan to verify the holder’s information.

Likewise, individuals will be able to request a paper copy of their EU COVID certificate from their health provider, or store the digital version on their mobile device.

The certificate will indicate whether the passenger has one of the following three documents:

  • Certification they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19

  • Evidence they were previously infected with COVID-19 and have recovered

  • Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result

You may have heard of the EU Digital COVID Certificate already, as some sources originally called it a ‘vaccine passport,’ as well as an ‘immunity pass’ or ‘health pass.’ However, EU Digital COVID Certificate is the official name of the program.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate has many benefits. First and foremost, there will be shorter lines at immigration, since the traveler’s health status will be immediately available. Likewise, the COVID certificate will improve the overall health and safety of the EU, since it will be harder to forge negative test results and falsify vaccination cards.

What’s on the EU Digital COVID Certificate?

The Digital Certificate is unique to every individual and will have the holder’s full name and date of birth, the certificate’s date of issuance, and a unique QR code to authenticate the information on the certificate.

The certificate recognizes all European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines, including AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer. However, certain EU countries may accept other vaccines in addition to those previously noted.

Those who have been infected and recovered from COVID-19 will have their status noted on the certificate, and is considered valid for up to 6 months.

Which Countries Will Accept the COVID Certificate?

The EU Digital COVID Certificate program will officially start on July 1, with member states given an extra six weeks to get up to speed if they need to. However, many countries — especially those who  have already started issuing and accepting the certificates.

At the moment, there are seven European countries who recognize Digital COVID Certificates. They include Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia, and Poland.

It should be noted that this list is constantly changing and new countries are rolling out the certificate every day. More than 20 countries, such as France, have successfully tested the program, according to the European Commission.

How Do I Get the COVID Certificate?

More than one million people have already signed up to get their Digital COVID Certificate, according to a European Commission press release.

Each country will have its own method of obtaining the certificate, whether it’s via an online portal, in-person at a test center, through a medical professional (such as your family doctor), or other ways. The certificate is free to get.

Once the program has launched on July 1st, there will be more information available, as well as detailed step-by-step instructions on how to obtain it.

If you’ve been daydreaming about a trip to Europe, the EU Digital COVID Certificate may soon turn that dream into a reality!