In addition to vaccinations, the results of approved PCR and rapid tests as well as corona infections that have already been overcome are to be documented. The “digital green certificate” will enable freedom of movement.

7:19 a.m., March 18, 2021

On Wednesday the EU commission one Regulation proposal for the “Digital Green Passport” submitted. Approach: Those who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered should be allowed to travel again. Austria will create the legal basis for implementation in the next few days.

Even before there is a legal basis at EU level, Austria rushes at it “Green passport” for those who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from corona in front. The legal basis for implementation will be created in the next few days. On the basis of this, the operational implementation in April begin, said Minister of Tourism Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) on Wednesday by broadcast.

Of the “Green Pass” will – as required by Austria – contain the following information:

1. Vaccination certificate
2. Test certificate (PCR or rapid antigen test)
3. Certificate of recovery (to be issued at the earliest from the 20th day after the first positive PCR test result)

Document details:

1. The “Green Pass” will free from the EU countries to all EU citizens, their family members and to third-country nationals residing in EU countries displayed.
2. It should be valid for the duration of the pandemic to have.
3. Certificates should digitally and / or in paper form are available and e.g. a EU-wide readable barcode contain.
4. The Green Pass will Issued in the respective official language of the EU country as well as in English.
5. According to Austria’s federal government, it should there is no centralized database at EU level, Data is read from national databases and not stored anywhere else, they say.

The Vice President of the EU Commission Margaritis Schinas is speeding up the vaccination certificate. An interview with a driven person who fears that the private sector will otherwise “impose” their solutions on us. https://t.co/iXyFFUVkZY

– Frankfurter Allgemeine (@FAZ_NET) March 17, 2021

In the entire EU only from June 1st?

The digital European vaccination card should according to the will of the EU Commission ready by June 1st be. It could thus enable travel during the summer vacation. This said the EU Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” before the official presentation of the project on Wednesday in Brussels. “Evidence should be usable by the beginning of summer, and summer will start on June 1st.”

Like “Green Passport” for vaccinated people in Israel

The commission names the project “Digital Green Proof” – based on the “Green Passport” for vaccinated people in Israel. Not only vaccinations should be documented, but also the results of approved PCR and rapid tests as well as survived corona infections. “We’re getting our European way of life back,” said Schinas. But this should be done in a safe way.

Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders stressed in conversation with the “Politico” portal, Freedom of movement is one of the central rights of citizens in the European Union. “The” Digital Green Certificate “will enable freedom of movement and mitigate the consequences of the restrictions imposed by the member states.” Since vaccination, testing and immunization should be included, the approach is not discriminatory.

We are taking back our European way of life.

EU Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas

Skepticism and a lot of ambiguity

However, there is still no consensus in the EU states which doors the proof should open. Austria and other holiday countries are urging Travel facilitation to associate with such a document. Germany, on the other hand, has spoken out against making it easier for people who have been vaccinated as long as few people have a chance of receiving the protective vaccination.

If we do not introduce this together, with a legally binding instrument and interoperable, the private sector will develop solutions and impose them on us.

EU Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas

According to diplomats, some EU states are skeptical, including against the Commission’s approach to adopting a legal framework at EU level – partly because this could take a long time. Schinas said: “If we do not introduce this together, with a legally binding instrument and interoperable, the private sector will develop solutions and impose them on us.”