Interoperable European COVID-19 vaccination certificate for travellers

A trial project is being undertaken for the reception of a European digital COVID-19 certificate at the borders of Iceland for those arriving to the country. The first passengers carrying such certificates arrived to the country yesterday.

The certificate is issued in conformity with the recently agreed on EU regulation which will be incorporated into the EEA Agreement with the proposed date of entry into force on the 1st of July.  The aim is to improve the free movement of persons and increase the safety of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The digital COVID-19 certificate will contain information on vaccinations against COVID-19, the results of PCR tests if they were negative and on recovery if the individual in question has been infected. 

The certificate will be applicable in all EU Member States as well as in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It will be available in paper format as well as digital format by downloading it to a mobile phone.  Security and verifiability of the certificates has been emphasised and both formats will contain a QR-code. The certificate is also free of charge and in both Icelandic and English.

In the coming days, negative Icelandic PCR-certificates will be issued in this new format.  Vaccination certificates and certificates of recovery will soon be issued in this format as well.