EU Digital Covid Certificate goes live in Greece & six other countries

EU Digital Covid Certificate goes live in Greece & six other countries

EU Digital Covid Certificate goes live in Greece & six other countries

The EU Digital Covid Certificate has gone live in seven EU member states, including Greece.

Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Poland, have connected to the gateway and started issuing the first digital certificates.

“Seven member states is a good start. I encourage others to follow as soon as possible. The timely preparation will allow the full system to be up and running by 1 July – when the proposal enters into application and the EU will be on time to open up again this summer,” Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said.

The EU certificate was proposed by the Commission to resume safe travelling this summer. It will be free of charge, secure and accessible to all.

Available in digital format or on paper, it will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, tested negative, or recovered from an infection.

“The EU Digital Covid Certificate shows the value added of effective e-health solutions for our citizens. It is important that during the coming weeks, all member states fully finalise their national systems to issue, store and verify certificates, so the system is functioning in time for the holiday season,” Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides said.

For Greek citizens, the Covid certificate will be available for download at eudcc.gov.gr to people who received a vaccine, had a negative test in the past 72 hours or are immune, having recovered from coronavirus.

“The EU certificate is a prime example of digital tools that represent our values: The EU values privacy. No personal data will be exchanged or retained. The EU is inclusive. Whoever is not vaccinated, can get a digital certificate for test or recovery. Whoever does not have a smartphone, can get it on paper,” President of the European commission, Ursula von der Leyen said.

“With the certificate, we want to help people to move freely in times of pandemic. This is why it will only be in place for one year. Europe is a front-runner here and can set standards at the global level,” she added.

*More on GCT: A unique and magical summer in Greece
GCT Team

This article was researched and written by a GCT team member.

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