Last update: May 11th, 2021.
A selected group of EU Member countries is participating in a pilot program to test the functioning of the upcoming European Digital Green Certificate, also known as EU Green Pass.
The test period is composed of different stages, which are divided into 3 key phases.
The first group started the last week of April 2021 and is meant for a total of 17 European Member States that are fully prepared to implement the COVID pass.
The second phase starts in mid-May and is composed of the second batch of EU countries that are still gearing up the technical implementation of the health passport in their territories.
The third stage begins at the end of May and comprises the nations of the European Union that are still working on more critical technical specifications to roll out the Green Pass to their citizens.
The following are the countries that are part of this initiative:
Belgium
As of May 10th, Belgium is considered one of the early birds when it comes to implementing the Digital Green Certificate.
The aim is to facilitate international, safe travel from Belgium to other countries. Frank Robben, CEO of the Belgian Crossroads Bank for Social Security, believes the logistics to implement the COVID pass in Belgium are relatively simple.
“All vaccinations are registered in Vaccinnet and the results of PCR tests in a database managed by Sciensano,” said the authority according to The Brussels Times.
France
The French government has been quick to respond: in Mid-March, Macron announced a month-long pilot program of a vaccination certificate, which was at the time only available to those moving between France and French Caribbean territories.
More recently, the country is deemed a pioneer in the implementation of the Digital Green Pass created by the European Commission. France’s trial test began on April 29 via the TousAntiCovid app, which is now able to show negative PCR test results to allow free movement and tourism abroad.
On May 13th, the French parliament supported Macron’s proposal of having a health pass in the nation (the bill passed 208 to 85).
Minister Cedric O confirmed the rollout of the EU Green Pass in France will also be useful to restore other activities such as sporting events. “The health pass will allow us to reopen places welcoming the public, festivals, and gatherings. Without this health pass, we would have to wait much longer.”
Estonia
“In Estonia, it is already possible to download or print a digital certificate from the Patient Portal proving vaccination,” announced Estonia’s Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets on May 11, 2021, after a General Affairs Council meeting of the European Union in Brussels.
“We are ready to include this in the Europe-wide digital green certificate system – we hope other European Union countries are ready to do this.”
The country has said it is fully on board with the idea of the European Digital Green Certificate, especially since one key priority is to restore free movement in line with the Schengen principles.
Germany
The EU Digital Green Certificate “is not only important for countries depending on tourism but for all of us. It is a clear signal for freedom of movement and for mobility in the European Union,” said German minister Michael Roth during an EU meeting held on May 11th, 2021.
Roth also pointed out that a solution should become available in Germany within weeks.
Italy
While other countries are abiding by a common approach when it comes to the implementation of the Green Certificate, Italy has announced the country will launch its own green pass for travel by the end of May.
This Italian COVID health certificate “will allow Italian tourism to become a sector as strong as it was before the pandemic, if not even stronger,” declared Prime Minister Mario Draghi in a G20 press conference.