Regulation (EU) 2021/954 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate) with regard to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territories of Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2021/954 - formally adopted by the European Union on 14 June 2021 - establishing a common framework for an EU Digital COVID Certificate covering vaccination, testing and recovery in the context of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This is a text with EEA relevance. This Regulation concerns third-country nationals legally staying or legally residing in the territories of Member States.

Further information:

The Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement allows for third-country nationals legally residing or staying in an EU Member State to travel freely within the European Union, provided that they fulfil certain conditions. The pandemic affected the ability to exercise that right. Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/1475 seeks to ensure increased coordination among Member States considering the adoption of measures restricting free movement on grounds of public health in the context of the pandemic. It also addresses the situation of third-country nationals legally staying or legally residing in the EU.

This Regulation was adopted alongside Regulation (EU) 20201/953 establishing the EU Digital COVID Certificate . That framework applies to EU citizens or their family members who may be a third-country national. This Regulation aims to ensure that the same framework applies to other third-country nationals who are legally staying or legally residing on the territory of an EU Member State and who are entitled to travel to another Member State in accordance with EU law.

The proposal was put forward by the European Commission on 17 March 2021 alongside a Communication on a coordinated approach to a lifting of restrictions. The Council of the European Union adopted a general approach on it on 14 April. The plenary of the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on 29 April. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text was reached on 20 May.

The European Commission announced on 1 June 2021 the activation of the technical backbone of the EU system allowing for the certificates. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 14 June 2021 and published in the Official Journal on 15 June 2021.

• Primary Source

Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)140: Proposal for a Regulation on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable certificates on vaccination, testing and recovery to third-country nationals legally staying or legally residing in the territories of Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic (Digital Green Certificate) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:140:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Digital Green Certificate - third-country nationals (2021/0071(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2021/0071(COD)

European Commission: COVID-19: Digital green certificates https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/covid-19-digital-green-certificates_en

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: EU digital COVID certificate: how it works https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/eu-digital-covid-certificate/

European Commission: Press Release, 17/03/2021: Coronavirus: Commission proposes a Digital Green Certificate https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1181

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 14/04/2021: COVID-19: Council agrees its negotiating mandate on the Digital Green Certificate https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/14/covid-19-council-agrees-its-negotiating-mandate-on-the-digital-green-certificate/

European Parliament: Press Release, 29/04/2021: EU COVID-19 certificate must facilitate free movement without discrimination https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210422IPR02606/

European Commission: Press Release, 20/05/2021: EU Digital COVID Certificate: European Parliament and Council reach agreement on Commission proposal https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_2593

European Parliament: Press Release, 20/05/2021: EU digital Covid Certificate: provisional deal between Parliament and Council https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210517IPR04111/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 21/05/2021: COVID-19: Coreper endorses political agreement on the EU digital COVID certificate to facilitate free movement https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/21/covid-19-coreper-endorses-political-agreement-on-the-eu-digital-covid-certificate-to-facilitate-free-movement/

European Parliament: Press Release, 09/06/2021: Parliament gives its final green light to the EU Digital COVID Certificate https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210604IPR05512/

European Commission: EU clears way for the EU Digital COVID Certificate (14 June 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_21_2965

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