EU Digital Covid Certificate: Equivalence Decision Adopted for Certificates Issued by Cabo Verde, Lebanon, and the UAE

On the 10^th of December 2021, the European Commission adopted decisions that certify Covid-19 certificates issued by Cabo Verde, Lebanon, and the UAE are equivalent to the EU Digital Covid Certificate. As such, the three countries will now be easily connected to the EU’s system which was already joined by 55 countries and territories. So far, it has issued more than 750 million certificates.

The EU Digital Covid Certificate is considered the biggest vaccine passport regulation globally. It was enforced on the 1^st of July 2021 and it allowed the citizens and residents of the European Union to have their digital Covid-19 certificates provided and confirmed throughout the European Union. Bearers can prove with a QR code that they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus. Furthermore, it can be used to prove a recent negative Covid-19 test.

Vaccine certificates issued in the UAE in printed format are already recognized in the European Union. Residents and citizens of the UAE who use the Al Hosn app will see updates on the app. A new EU Pass can be used to show vaccination proof at border controls. The UAE is one of the first countries in the MENA region to be given the equivalency decision by the Council. Everyone is confident that this will make travel between the EU and Cabo Verde, Lebanon, and the UAE easier.