EU Covid-19 Certificates for Travel Now Valid 9 Months Without Booster Shot

EU Digital COVID Certificate. Photo source: European Commission

The European Commission on Tuesday announced that the digital COVID certificate for travel in the EU will only be valid for nine months following the administration of the last dose of the primary Covid-19 vaccination and without a booster shot.

“Member States should not provide for a different acceptance period for the purposes of travel within the European Union. The standard acceptance period does not apply to certificates for booster doses,” the Commission said in an announcement.

For the Johnson&Johnson vaccine this means 270 days from the first and only shot. For a two-dose vaccine it means 270 days from the second shot, or, in line with the vaccination strategy of the Member State of vaccination, the first and only shot after having recovered from the virus.

According to the Commission, the rules apply only to the vaccination certificates used for the purpose of travel in the EU.

“Member States may apply different rules when using the EU Digital COVID Certificate in a domestic context, but are invited to align with the acceptance period set at EU level,” the Commission said.

The EU Digital COVID certificate has become a global standard.

As of today, it will be valid for 9 months for those who have completed the primary vaccination cycle.

The Certificate remains a key tool for safe travel and the protection of public health.#EUCOVIDcertificate

— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) February 1, 2022

EU Covid certificate holders should travel restriction-free

Moreover, the Commission said a person who has a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate should in principle not be subject to additional restrictions, such as tests or quarantine, regardless of their place of departure in the EU.

However, (unvaccinated) persons without an EU Digital COVID Certificate should be allowed to travel based on a test carried out prior to or after arrival. In addition, they might be required to undergo quarantine/self-isolation when they arrive from particularly affected (dark red) areas.

Photo source: European Commission

“Any measures restricting free movement must be non-discriminatory and proportionate,” the Commission said, adding that EU countries should, in principle, not refuse entry to persons travelling from other Member States.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate regulation entered into application on 1 July 2021. An EU Digital COVID Certificate is a digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19.

Press here for answers to questions about the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

In Greece, vaccination certificates issued by the government are now valid for seven months after two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, if a holder does not follow up with a booster shot (third dose). The validity period of the Covid-19 recovery certificate in Greece is valid for three months.