The European Commission has proposed a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic as proof of a person's having been vaccinated, having recovered from the coronavirus infection or having a negative test.

The certificates will be free of charge, in digital or paper format and in the language of the country issuing the certificate and in English. It will contain a code to ensure security and authenticity.

The certificates should be harmonised and verifiable across the European Union.

The Commission called on member states and the European Parliament to adopt the proposal as soon as possible so that a regulation can go into force by the summer.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung paper, EC Vice President Margaritis Schinas said that the certificate should be ready by the beginning of summer, 1 June.

The certificate is intended to salvage tourism in the EU.

The Commission has opted for a regulation to introduce the certificate as member states are obliged to directly apply regulations, unlike recommendations, which few countries respect.

Considering that there is a shortage of vaccines, the Commission wants the certificate to contain information regarding testing for COVID-19 or the presence of antibodies so people who did not get the opportunity to be inoculated are not discriminated against, which was one of the objections by many countries.

According to the Commission’s data, only 3.5% of the EU’s population has been inoculated so far.