Members of the European Parliament Approve Introduction of EU ‘Covid Passports’

The European Parliament has approved the introduction of EU digital certificates indicating that a person is vaccinated, has a recent negative test result, or has recovered from Covid-19, thereby facilitating travel within the Union.

Members of the European Parliament voted on Tuesday evening in Strasbourg to approve the introduction of digital green certificates starting from July 1,  with 546 votes in favor, 93 against, and 51 abstentions for EU citizens, and with 553 votes in favor, 91 against, and 46 abstentions for citizens of non-EU countries, the European Parliament announced on Wednesday.

This initiative was presented by the European Commission on March 17, after which an urgent procedure for the introduction of the certificates was initiated.

The aim of the initiative is to establish uniform European rules for cross-border movement ahead of the summer tourist season, in order to revive travel and stimulate economic recovery by eliminating uncertainties created for travelers by different national quarantine, testing, and other measures.

The digital green certificate, which will be valid for 12 months, "will prove" three things: that a person has recovered from Covid, that they are vaccinated, or that they have a negative test result within the last 72 hours.

It will not be a prerequisite for free movement and will not be considered a travel document.

It will be issued free of charge by national authorities and will be available in both digital and paper form, containing a QR code. 

Additionally, 100 million euros have been allocated for the purchase of tests to make testing affordable and accessible for citizens.

The EP rapporteur for the initiative on the introduction of digital green certificates and Spanish MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) opened the debate at the plenary session, highlighting that this initiative is one of the fastest adopted in Parliament. 

"The European Commission aims to address one of the most serious problems caused by the pandemic, the suspension of Schengen and the restriction of freedom of movement," Aguilar said.

If some countries decide to impose additional restrictions, Aguilar emphasized that "they must clearly communicate this to citizens 48 hours in advance and 24 hours before these measures come into effect."

European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders stated that the "digital green certificate is the result of a joint commitment of the three institutions to achieve concrete results for EU citizens."

In his presentation, Reynders spoke about two very important principles related to the digital green certificates.

"First, member states will not be able to impose additional travel restrictions on anyone holding digital green certificates if those restrictions are not necessary. Second, where such additional restrictions are imposed on an exceptional basis, member states must inform the Commission and the public in advance," Reynders concluded. 

Reynders also emphasized the importance of data protection and concluded that "with its decentralized and offline verification system, the digital green certificate will strive to ensure very high data protection." 

As a member of the relevant Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE), Croatian MEP Karlo Ressler (EPP/HDZ) also participated in the debate.

"And those who have spent months locked in their apartments in front of screens, as well as thousands of families who depend on tourism in Dalmatia, Istria, and other parts of Europe, now deserve a normal summer season, a vacation, and a life similar to that before the pandemic," said MEP Ressler, emphasizing that Croatia was among the first member states ready to issue certificates.

"Nine countries, like Croatia, are ready to implement it ahead of schedule. By July 1, the other member states must also be ready if we want to have a normal European summer again. This is a prerequisite for the recovery of tourism, which accounts for one-tenth of the European economy and almost one-fifth of the Croatian economy," Ressler concluded.

Among the few skeptics was Croatian MEP Mislav Kolakušić, who stated that "for more than two centuries we have been creating democracy, the right to freedom of movement, and the prohibition of medical research on humans," and now, with vaccines and digital green certificates, "we want to brand healthy people."

Regarding the debate, HDZ MEP Tomislav Sokol emphasized that the certificates will facilitate the free movement of citizens, which is very important for the upcoming tourist season.

"Although certain EU member states have already implemented the system for digital green certificates at their border crossings, including Croatia, which was the first in the Union to do so on June 1, it is particularly important that all member states implement this system by July 1 after the legislative framework is adopted for the normal course of the tourist season," Sokol emphasized, adding that "we no longer have much time."

Inconsistent control of internal borders during the pandemic has caused social and economic disruptions, and the digital green certificate will enable citizens to visit their families, work across borders, and go on vacation without the need for quarantine upon arrival or return. 

"I believe that the digital green certificate represents an improvement compared to the last year and a half, as it facilitates movement and does not represent a prerequisite for crossing the border," Sokol concluded, as stated by the representative’s office.

MEP Željana Zovko welcomed the outcome of the vote and emphasized that the certificate will greatly facilitate freedom of movement, which is of great importance for tourist destinations across Europe.

"Although the certificate is not a perfect solution, it is the best we have at this moment. The certificate will encourage more citizens to travel to tourist destinations as it will allow them to avoid quarantine upon returning from vacation. Together with encouraging vaccination rates, these certificates are crucial for a successful and safe summer tourist season," Zovko said and called for third-country certificates to be included on the same principle to facilitate cross-border movement within and outside the EU, as stated by the representative’s office.

The EU Council now needs to officially accept the text, which will then be published in the Official Journal to come into effect on July 1, 2021.

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