The European Union started the process for the creation of a digital certificate that aims to guarantee the free movement of citizens within the EU. The COVID passport, a concept present with us for a while now, looks ready and set to become a reality.

This COVID passport will contain health information about vaccination, overcoming the disease or negative results of a PCR test.  In any case, experts say the aim of this certificate is to provide EU citizens with “a harmonised digital tool to support free movement“, according to Vera Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency.

According to the latest news, the green certificate is expected to contain three possible ‘versions’: one for the vaccine, one for PCR tests and one for persons recovered from COVID.  There will be a digital and a paper format, with the certificates being issued in English and in the language of the country concerned.

The proposal aims to ensure equal and non-discriminatory treatment for all EU citizens. In this way, the main objective in issuing the certificate will be to guarantee equal rights and equal access to the certificate.

The certificate will contain only the minimum and indispensable information to guarantee the purpose for which it has been created. It shall include the name, date of birth, identity number….

Finally, this certificate must be valid for all the states members of the EU as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This is a temporary measure, which will be eradicated once the current health emergency is declared to be over.

At OTIS Advocaten Spanje, we consider it essential to be constantly updated on residence, immigration and their bureaucratic aspects. Please do not hesitate to contact us for professional legal advice.