How air travel has changed in every decade from the 1920s to today
Commercial air travel boomed through the 1950s and, for the first time in history, more US passengers were travelling by air than train. The ...
a vaccine 'passport'
Around the world, testing and vaccines built bridges between destinations in staggered phases. For example, Canada’s borders first opened to double-jabbed Americans, before being unlocked for vaccinated travellers from around the world too. Double-jabbed UK travellers initially could fly to 'amber' European hotspots including France, Spain and Portugal without quarantining on return (though they had to take PCR tests). New Zealand and Australia also formed a 'quarantine-free travel bubble'. EU citizens could download <anchor>a vaccine 'passport'</anchor> (pictured) allowing them to cross EU borders with minimal restrictions.
The EU vaccine 'passport' and what it means for travel - BBC News
The EU vaccine 'passport' and what it means for travel - BBC News

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# The EU vaccine 'passport' and what it means for travel

Published

6 August 2021

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Related topics

- [Coronavirus](/news/coronavirus)

![Woman wearing a mask at an airport](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/17BA/production/_119147060_ll-1200gettyimages-1250938778.jpg)Image source, Getty Images

**An EU vaccine "passport" has been introduced, enabling holders to prove they have been jabbed.**

The EU Digital Covid Certificate can be used to avoid self-isolating on arrival in the UK, if travelling from amber-list countries.

## What's the EU Digital Covid Certificate?

It is available in all 27 member nations - plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

EU citizens (and those of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), can download it or obtain a paper copy - at no cost. It is also available to [non-EU nationals living legally in member states, external](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_2781) who have the right to travel to other member states.

Because the UK is no longer in the EU, the certificate is not available to most Britons.

EU nationals vaccinated in the UK [must check with their home countries, external](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_2781) to see if they are eligible.

Travellers will still need to carry a passport or other identification.

## How does it work?

The certificate [can be issued if someone has, external](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/eu-digital-covid-certificate/):

- been vaccinated against Covid-19

- recently had a negative PCR test

- recently recovered from Covid-19


Anyone holding a certificate [should, in principle, be exempted, external](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/eu-digital-covid-certificate/) from testing or quarantine when crossing a border within the EU (or Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).

Image source, Getty Images

It has a [QR code, external](https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en#what-is-the-eu-digital-covid-certificate) unique to the place an individual's vaccine information is stored - a hospital or test centre, for example. The personal data is not saved locally when it's verified - at an airport, for example.

## Can I travel to the UK and use the NHS Covid Pass instead?

The [NHS Covid Pass, external](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/) is a similar vaccine "passport", but it is only for people who have been fully vaccinated through the NHS.

People in [England, external](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/) arriving from [an amber country, external](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england) can avoid quarantine by using the pass (or by calling 119 for a printed letter).

- The NHS Covid Pass is available in [Wales, external](https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid19status)

- People in [Scotland, external](https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid19status) can get a letter

- Northern Ireland has [a temporary system, external](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19-interim-proof-vaccination-document) in place


## Can I use the NHS Covid Pass in the EU?

You can't yet use it EU-wide - but some individual countries, [such as Greece, Malta and Spain](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56997931), do accept it.

The EU says it's working to ensure its own certificate is compatible with similar products.

If it's satisfied the NHS pass complies with EU standards and systems, it can decide to accept it.

- [What are the travel rules if I've had both jabs?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307)

- [I'm fully vaccinated, but how can I prove it?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55718553)

- [What are the holiday rules for Portugal, Malta and Spain?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56997931)


- OXFORD JAB: [What is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55302595)

- GLOBAL SPREAD: [How many worldwide cases are there?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-51235105)

- QUARANTINE: [Will I need to self-isolate in a hotel?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307)


## Related topics

- [Coronavirus vaccines](/news/topics/c87z0we2g0zt)
- [Pfizer](/news/topics/cq23pdgvglxt)
- [European Union](/news/topics/cwlw3xz0ljmt)
- [Covid passports](/news/topics/cxl2mqp08gzt)
- [Coronavirus](/news/coronavirus)
- [AstraZeneca](/news/topics/cz4pr2gd52lt)

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