eu kommission travel pass

EU-Kommission vergibt über 6000 Travel-Pässe an junge Menschen aus Deutschland: Ab dem 11. Oktober können sich 18-Jährige bewerben

Zum zweiten Mal in diesem Jahr werden 35.000 junge Menschen einen Bahnpass erhalten, um Europa und seine reiche Kultur zu entdecken. Nach Deutschland gehen mindestens 6069 Tickets. Die EU-Kommission vergibt im Rahmen von DiscoverEU die kostenlosen Travel-Pässe an Europäerinnen und Europäer im Alter von 18 Jahren. Ab dem 11. Oktober , 12.00 Uhr, und noch bis zum 25. Oktober , 12.00 Uhr, können sich Interessierte in Erasmus+-Programmländern bewerben. Die Kommissarin für Innovation, Forschung, Kultur, Bildung und Jugend, Mariya Gabriel , wünschte zum Start der Bewerbungsphase allen Bewerberinnen und Bewerbern viel Glück: „Zum zweiten Mal in diesem Jahr wird DiscoverEU 35.000 jungen Menschen eine bereichernde Erfahrung bieten, die es ihnen ermöglicht, den Kontinent zu bereisen, neue Kulturen zu entdecken und neue Freundschaften zu schließen. Die Förderung des kulturellen Austauschs durch nachhaltiges Reisen könnte nicht aktueller sein als heute.“

Wer zwischen dem 1. Januar 2004 und dem 31. Dezember 2004 geboren ist und beim Auswahlquiz erfolgreich war, kann zwischen dem 1. März 2023 und dem 29. Februar 2024 für bis zu 30 Tage  innerhalb von Europa reisen. Zusätzlich zum Travel-Pass gibt es auch dieses Mal wieder die DiscoverEU-Rabattkarte . Sie bietet mehr als 40.000 Ermäßigungen für öffentliche Verkehrsmittel, Kultur, Unterkunft, Essen, Sport und andere Dienstleistungen in den förderfähigen Ländern.

Die Aufforderung zur Einreichung von Vorschlägen richtet sich an Bewerber aus den Ländern des Programms Erasmus+ , darunter Island, Liechtenstein, Nordmazedonien, Norwegen, Serbien und die Türkei. Um einen Reisepass zu gewinnen, können sich junge Menschen auf dem Europäischen Jugendportal bewerben, wo sie fünf Quizfragen und eine Zusatzfrage beantworten müssen.

Mit dieser zweiten Runde in diesem Jahr werden dank des erhöhten Budgets im Rahmen des Europäischen Jahres der Jugend im Jahr 2022 insgesamt 70.000 Reisepässe zur Verfügung gestellt. Die Reisenden können weiterhin von der Rabattkarte profitieren und an DiscoverEU-Meet-ups teilnehmen, einer im Sommer 2022 gestarteten Initiative, die aus einem spannenden ein- bis dreitägigen Kulturprogramm in allen Erasmus+-Ländern besteht.

Weitere Informationen:

Daily News vom 12. September 2022

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Du bist 18 Jahre alt und wohnst in einem EU-Land oder einem Land, das bei Erasmus+ mitmacht? Dann wird es Zeit, Europa kennenzulernen! 

Im april 2024 feiert die europäische jugendwoche junge europäerinnen und europäer zwei monate vor den europawahlen bekommst du die chance, „deiner vision eine stimme zu geben“ auf der karte findest du alle aktivitäten in deiner nähe, wann ist die nächste runde.

Die nächste Runde startet am 16. April 2024 um 12.00 Uhr mittags (Ortszeit Brüssel) und endet am 30. April 2024 um 12.00 Uhr mittags (Ortszeit Brüssel) . Wenn es losgeht, erscheint auf dieser Seite der Button „Jetzt bewerben“ .

Was ist DiscoverEU?

DiscoverEU ist eine Aktion von Erasmus+. Sie bietet dir die Gelegenheit, die Vielfalt, Kultur und Geschichte Europas zu erkunden und Menschen aus allen Teilen des Kontinents kennenzulernen.  

Du erhältst einen Travel-Pass und gehst vor allem mit dem Zug auf Entdeckungsreise. Informiere dich, welche Verkehrsmittel du nutzen kannst, wenn du von einer Insel oder aus einer abgelegenen Region stammst.

Die ausgewählten Teilnehmenden erhalten eine DiscoverEU-Jugendkarte, die zahlreiche Rabatte für Kulturbesuche, Lernaktivitäten, Sport, Transportmittel, Unterbringung und Verpflegung bietet.

So bist du dabei

Um teilnehmen zu können, musst du:

• zwischen dem 1. Juli 2005 (einschließlich) und dem 30. Juni 2006 (einschließlich) geboren sein
• auf dem Online-Bewerbungsformular die Nummer deines Personalausweises, deines Reisepasses oder deiner Aufenthaltskarte korrekt angeben
• einem Mitgliedstaat der Europäischen Union einschließlich der überseeischen Länder und Gebiete oder      
• einem mit dem Erasmus+-Programm assoziierten Nicht-EU-Land, also Island, Liechtenstein, Nordmazedonien, Norwegen, Serbien oder der Türkei. 

* Weitere Informationen findest du in den Wettbewerbsregeln unter Punkt „2. Zulassungskriterien“.

Dann musst du an unserem Quiz teilnehmen (es sei denn, du bewirbst dich als Gruppenmitglied).

Wenn du ausgewählt wirst, kannst du zwischen dem 1. Juli 2024 und dem 30. September 2025 bis zu 30 Tage lang unterwegs sein. 

Junge Menschen mit Behinderungen oder Gesundheitsproblemen können auf besondere Unterstützung zählen. In unseren FAQ (Häufig gestellte Fragen: C.13) erfährst du mehr darüber.

Kann ich mit meinen Freunden reisen?

Ja, ganz wie du möchtest! Du kannst alleine reisen oder mit bis zu vier Freunden eine Gruppe bilden, vorausgesetzt, alle erfüllen die Teilnahmebedingungen. Die Mitglieder deiner Gruppe bewerben sich mit deinem Bewerbercode. Mehr dazu in unseren FAQ B.5 bis B.11.

Du kannst auch mit anderen DiscoverEU-Reisenden Reisepläne schmieden! Das geht ganz einfach über unsere DiscoverEU-Facebook-Gruppe . Jetzt der Facebook-Gruppe beitreten und Mitreisende kennenlernen ...

Solltest du ausgewählt werden, helfen dir die nationalen Agenturen von Erasmus+ bei der Reisevorbereitung. Sie organisieren Begegnungen mit anderen Reisenden, damit du dich vernetzen und informieren kannst.

Erzähl anderen davon!

Die ausgewählten Teilnehmenden sind zugleich auch Botschafter/innen für DiscoverEU. Als Botschafter/in berichtest du auf sozialen Medien über deine Reiseerlebnisse (#DiscoverEU). Warum nicht sogar auch in der Schule oder in deiner Gemeinde?

Ich brauche mehr Infos!

Du möchtest etwas über die früheren Bewerbungsrunden erfahren? In den DiscoverEU- Factsheets findest du alle wichtigen Infos. Lass dich von den DiscoverEU-Reiseberichten inspirieren!

Europa liegt dir zu Füßen. Mach den ersten Schritt!      

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Q&A on the EU Digital Covid Certificate  

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The European Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on an EU Digital Covid Certificate to facilitate travel within the EU without discrimination from 1 July.

EU member states have introduced travel restrictions in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Commission drafted a proposal to create an EU Digital Covid Certificate (initially called “Digital Green Certificate”) to facilitate travel within Europe through a commonly agreed document with a standard format, stating that a person has been vaccinated, has tested negative or has recovered from COVID-19. These three types of certification would be secure and accepted throughout the EU.

MEPs voted on the European Parliament’s position on 29 April and swiftly started negotiations with the Council on 3 May. An informal agreement was reached on 20 May. The Parliament as a whole and the member states now need to formally approve the regulation for it to come into use as of 1 July.

Why do we need such a certificate?

The EU Digital Covid Certificate is designed to restore free movement within the EU and is one of the key preconditions for the economic recovery. A single certificate format will help the tourism sector and transport providers, such as airlines, trains, coaches and ferries across all member states. It will be issued by member states and carry information in the relevant language and English.

What is a vaccination certificate?

The EU Digital Covid Certificate for vaccination will record that a vaccination has been administered in a secure and reliable digital format with a QR code. It will be easy to prove that you have received a jab. It could be issued after each dose and will state if the course of vaccination is completed, depending on the type of vaccine you have received.

What is a test certificate?

The EU Digital Covid Certificate for tests can be issued for PCR or Rapid Antigen Tests. It records this medical information in a secure and reliable digital format with a QR code. It will be easy to prove that you have a negative result if required by a member state upon entry. A separate certificate will be issued for each test and will not contain any data from previous certificates.

What is a recovery certificate?

The EU Digital Covid Certificate of recovery confirms that the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection following a positive test. It should be issued no earlier than 11 days after the first positive test. A QR code will access the results in a secure and reliable way. Currently antibody tests — which detect if a person developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 — cannot be used to obtain a recovery certificate.

Will this certificate be obligatory to travel?

No. No one will be obliged to use the EU Digital Covid Certificate. However, only the EU Digital Covid Certificate will guarantee that you can cross internal EU borders without additional requirements, as it will be accepted by all member states.

Is the certificate a “vaccine passport”?

No. The EU Digital Covid certificate will not be a travel document nor a precondition for travel. However, such a certificate will help you to easily prove in all EU member states that you have been vaccinated, had a recent negative test or have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Could I still face restrictions when I arrive in a country even if I have a valid EU Digital Covid certificate?

Before travelling, you should check if any emergency public health measures and restrictions apply at your destination. Member states may apply non-discriminatory additional measures only when the public health situation has seriously deteriorated, and after having duly informed the European Commission.

I am an EU citizen but have been vaccinated outside the EU, can I get a certificate?

Member states may issue vaccination certificates upon request to persons, in particular EU citizens and family members, who have been vaccinated in a third country and can provide reliable proof of vaccination. Member states will not be required to issue certificates if the vaccine is not authorised for use on its territory.

Will I face discrimination if I am not vaccinated?

No. Persons who are not vaccinated should not be discriminated against and vaccination should not be a precondition to exercise free movement rights or to use transport services such as airlines, trains, coaches or ferries or any other means of cross-border transport.

How much do I have to pay for the certificate?

Nothing. The certificate will be free of charge.

Which vaccines will be recognised?

Member states must accept vaccination certificates issued in other member states for persons inoculated with a vaccine authorised for use in the EU by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It will be up to the member states to decide whether they also accept vaccination certificates that have been authorised by other Member States following national authorisation procedures or for vaccines listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use.

How long will this certificate exist?

The legislation will be in place for 12 months, starting 1 July 2021. Member states will need to be ready to accept certificates from this date. There will be a phase-in period of six weeks for member states to develop the capacity to issue their own EU Digital Covid certificates if they cannot already do so.

I was vaccinated before the entry into force of the EU Digital Covid certificate regulation, is my certificate valid?

Persons vaccinated before the certificate came into use should have the right to obtain the EU Digital Covid Certificate subject to presenting proof of vaccination. Certificates issued before 1 July 2021 will be accepted for the first six weeks of application of the regulation if they contain all the necessary information.

Could the EU Digital Covid certificate be extended?

This would require a new legislative proposal to be presented by the European Commission and decided upon by the European Parliament and the Council. Prior to any such proposal, the Commission must thoroughly assess whether the certificate has facilitated free movement, travel and tourism, and its impact on fundamental rights and non-discrimination.

What if I don’t have a smartphone?

The certificate would be available in digital and paper format. Holders may choose in which format they want to receive it.

Will my data be stored?

There will be no central EU database containing medical data. Everyone’s rights over their data will be protected in line with the EU’s strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Will COVID-19 tests become cheaper across the EU?

MEPs insisted on making tests widely available at affordable prices, if not free of charge. Through the Emergency Support Instrument, the EU Commission will provide funding of €100 million to offer testing in particular for persons who cross borders daily or frequently to go to work or school, visit close relatives, or to seek medical care. To make rapid antigen tests available at affordable prices to member states, the EU launched a joint purchase of 500 million tests.

Disclaimer : This is not official information and should be checked against the final text adopted and published in the Official Journal, as well as national rules.

Contacts:  

Polona tedesko  .

• Phone number: (+32) 2 28 40731 (BXL)  
• Mobile number: (+32) 470 884 282  
• E-mail: [email protected]  
• E-mail: [email protected]  
• Twitter account: @EP_Justice  

Further information  

• Procedure file : Digital Green Certificate - Union citizens  
• Procedure file : Digital Green Certificate - third-country nationals  
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs  

Product information  

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Discover EU : Verlosung von Travel-Pässen Jetzt bewerben und durch Europa reisen

Die EU -Initiative Discover EU  ermöglicht es jungen Menschen Europa zu entdecken. Zweimal im Jahr werden rund 35.000 Travel-Pässe an 18-jährige Europäerinnen und Europäer verlost. Die aktuelle Bewerbungsrunde läuft noch bis zum 30. April 2024.

Dienstag, 23. April 2024

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Neue Erfahrungen und abwechslungsreiche Zugfahrten durch europäische Landschaften und Metropolen dank DiscoverEU.

Foto: mauritius images / EyeEm

Mit einem gratis Travel-Pass 30 Tage lang verschiedene Länder in der EU  vor allem mit dem Zug bereisen: Diese Möglichkeit haben Europäerinnen und Europäer im Alter von 18 Jahren. 

Zum wiederholten Mal verlost die EU  mit der Aktion DiscoverEU Travel-Pässe an 18-Jährige in ganz Europa. Dabei sollen sie die kulturelle und landschaftliche Vielfalt in Europa kennenlernen und sich mit anderen Europäerinnen und Europäern vernetzen.

Außerdem erhalten die ausgewählten Teilnehmenden eine Discover EU -Jugendkarte. Mit der Karte gibt es Rabatte für Kulturbesuche, Lernaktivitäten, Sport, Transportmittel, Unterkunft und Verpflegung.

Bewerbung seit dem 16. April möglich

Discover EU geht in die nächste Runde: Interessierte können sich vom 16. bis 30. April 2024 bewerben. Wer ausgewählt wird, kann zwischen dem 1. Juli 2024 und dem 30. September 2025 bis zu 30 Tage lang unterwegs sein. Bewerben können sich Einzelpersonen oder Gruppen. Eine Gruppe kann aus maximal fünf Mitgliedern bestehen.

Wer einen kostenlosen Travel-Pass haben möchte, muss diese Voraussetzungen erfüllen:

• zwischen dem 1. Juli 2005 (einschließlich) und dem 30. Juni 2006 (einschließlich) 
• einem Mitgliedstaat der Europäischen Union einschließlich der überseeischen Länder und Gebiete oder
• einem mit dem Erasmus+-Programm assoziierten Nicht- EU -Land, also Island, Liechtenstein, Nordmazedonien, Norwegen, Serbien oder der Türkei;
• an einem Quiz teilnehmen.

Discover EU wurde 2018 ins Leben gerufen. Seitdem haben 248.000 junge Menschen aus ganz Europa kostenlose Travel-Pässe bekommen und Europa erkundet.  Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der Webseite des EU-Programms DiscoverEU .

Weitere Informationen rund um die Europapolitik der Bundesregierung finden Sie auf unserer  Schwerpunktseite Europa .

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Interrail through eyes of young travellers

DiscoverEU gives 18 year-olds from the European Union (EU) the chance to win a free Interrail Pass . The EU and Interrail introduced the scheme to give young Europeans the chance to learn about their neighbouring countries and cultures by travelling there by rail.

For many, it is their first time travelling so far on their own. The people they meet, the skills they gain and the experiences they have will stay with them forever. 

In this new regular feature, we will share stories from users of the DiscoverEU scheme to show you what they learned and what tips they’d give to future travellers.

Perhaps they’ll inspire you to apply to DiscoverEU, or if you’re already over 18, then to buy a Pass and experience it for yourself… You’re never too young or old to go on a Interrail trip! 

Interrail/Eurail

@interraileu

Milos, Slovakia

How would you rate your overall experience? 

I won the Interrail Pass last year and went on to experience the best year of my whole life. The life of the traveller is the best way to live! One morning you wake in Porto (Portugal) and by the evening you are looking for accommodation in Valencia (Spain). As you go, you never know what troubles you might need to solve and that's exactly what travelling is about. 

What have you learned and experienced during your DiscoverEU journey? 

I travelled with my 2 classmates across Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I experienced different countries, different people and different lifestyles. Every day or two you have to switch languages and you have to acclimate to the next place you are visiting. It's exciting to live like that.

Looking back on your trip, what advice can you give to others?

Definitely, if anything goes wrong, just say it doesn't matter. There are unlimited options of how to handle the situation in which you are right now. I hadn’t booked my ticket from Barcelona to Paris two days in advance and when I was ready to buy it on the day of departure, they just said to me that the tickets are sold two days in advance. I had two options: to stay in Barcelona and pay for accommodation, or take 5 or 6 trains through the night to Paris. I just risked it and I will never regret it. During this "night journey" I met 7 people, from 5 different countries and we had the same target – to get to Paris. It was a fun and unforgettable experience. 

Has your trip changed the way you view travelling by train? 

Completely! If I now had to choose which way of travelling is most comfortable, I would say by train, without hesitation. 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Even if you do not win an Interrail Pass, I wish that EVERY traveller will spend at least one great summer travelling with Interrail, as I did.

Magnus, Denmark 

My overall experience was very good. By travelling by train I really learned that it is not only about the destination, but the journey. By that, I mean that travelling by train was a magnicent experience on its own. Sometimes we met some train conductors that were very nice to us and helped us, but sometimes they can get a little tricky. It was very interesting that not everyone speaks good English, so it was very interesting to communicate with others through two languages. I met a lot of nice people from all over Europe, so I am very grateful for this experience. 

I learned a lot about Europe and myself, but also small things like how to spell the names of some small cities that I never thought I was going to spell, because I had to write them in my Travel Diary. 

To start with Europe… I learned a lot about the differences in culture, even though we are so close to each other (only a train trip away :D ). People eat differently, talk differently, look different, but in the end, everyone was very nice to us and wanted to help. 

I learned a lot about myself, because I had to take responsibility and make decisions under time pressure. I had tomake some choices about some trains and had to make some important calls to some hotels and other things. I feel a lot more compatible with that now and I feel a lot more mature after my 1-month trip. 

I learned that I can take care of myself and explore the world by myself. 

Looking back on your trip, what advice can you give to others? 

Jump into it. Have fun and just do it. Pay whatever it costs, because you are not going to regret it. Take the whole month away, not only 2 weeks. Go to some big cities, but also try and go to some small cities, maybe with some beautiful nature. 

I would pick travelling by train over plane every day after my Interrail trip. I loved going to all of these beautiful cities, but travelling by train was the best experience of my trip. The travel days were the best days. 

I would recommend it to everyone I know, and I would definitely do it again! 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us? 

I went to Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, and it was so beautiful. I would recommend Switzerland to everyone, because the nature was so beautiful. Pay whatever it costs!

Sára, Hungary 

My journey was fantastic. All the things that happened to me and all the memories I (accidentally) made during those 15 days of travelling will stay with me for my whole life. I really loved it! Thanks to this, I realised how much I love travelling by train, how many incredible places I can get to by them and, most importantly, that this kind of low budget backpacking is much more my style and more enjoyable than staying in fancy hotels and following fixed itineraries. 

What have you learned and experienced during your DiscoverEU journey?

I've learnt a lot about myself. I had to solve many unexpected problems on my own, take care of my belongings and organise the trip by myself. During the journey I met new cultures and lots of genial people, and became more tolerant and open-minded. My language skills also developed a lot as I arrived in unknown countries and with every new day I realised how diverse and wonderful the EU is and how lucky I am to live in one of its member countries. 

 During a journey like this you learn so much about yourself. By the end you re-evaluate so many things regarding what is really worth while. You learn a lot about tolerance and flexibility – you can find or shape your own values while experiencing wonderful places, meeting new cultures and making everlasting memories. 

Absolutely! I always liked trains but unfortunately (especially for me living with my parents and studying) a cheap plane ticket is often a better option because of the high train ticket prices. Travelling by train has its own magic, as you see the view constantly changing around you and the feeling when you wake up in the morning in a whole new country cannot be compared to anything else. I find it to be the best kind of public transport, especially in western Europe where the train systems are quite modern. Unfortunately, many people don't realise how practical trains are and opt for planes or cars. I also like that when you travel by train you can spend the time productively and the simplicity of it encourages you to make greener or more simple life decisions after the journey has ended too.

Luke, United Kingdom

I absolutely loved the Interrail Pass – it gave me a freedom like no other. I was able to complete a journey across an entire continent that would have been far more difficult any other way. 

I learned that you should be present in the moment and with the people around you, you should take the time to put down your phone and focus on what people have to say. Often people have incredible stories to tell or similar interests to share and you're just stuck behind the screen of your phone, watching someone online thousands of miles away. Take time to be present and live in the real world, experience the differences of each country you visit, and take the time to really absorb everything. 

• Don't try and cram too much travelling into a short period of time. Pick countries that you’re interested in, but not too far from each other. Try to use your Interrail Pass travel days to cover the longer distances and then use your own money on smaller intercity travel within those countries. 

• Try to pack as light as you can: pick a few outfits and stick with them, and don't pack useless items that you may only use once on a trip. If you're with a group, a pack of cards is essential. 

• If you're on a budget, eating out at restaurants every night is the worst thing you can do. Try to find accommodation with cooking facilities, where you can prepare and cook your own food. 

After my trip, it's made me realise how easily you can use trains to cover such large distances. I feel like most people are always inclined to want to find a flight somewhere, whereas taking a train can sometimes be quicker as you don't have to arrive at the train station hours before your flight or wait for boarding. As soon as your train arrives, you simply get on and go. Another really great thing about train travel is that a lot of train companies have night trains. This means that you can get on a train, fall asleep and wake up in a new country!

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Entry/Exit System (EES)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third-countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person's name, type of the travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.

It will also record refusals of entry. EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).

EES will contribute to prevent irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens. The new system will also help bona fide third-country nationals to travel more easily while also identifying more efficiently over-stayers as well as cases of document and identity fraud. In addition to this, the system will enable to make a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for the traveller.

The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) is responsible for developing and managing the system.

EES is among the measures undertaken as part of the Security Union and will help achieve the objectives of the European Agenda on Security and the European Agenda on Migration in particular regarding border management and preventing cross-border crime and terrorism.

The European Commission presented the proposal for EES on 6 April 2016 as part of the revised Smart Borders Package . After negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council the co-legislators reached an agreement in July 2017. The EES Regulation, together with a targeted amendment of the Schengen Border Code, were adopted on 20 November 2017 and entered into force on 29 December 2017.

More information

• Entry/Exit System

Press release

• Press release/statement made at the time of agreement on the EES proposal

Documents on Entry/Exit System

• Entry/Exit System factsheet
• Technical study on Smart Borders – final report
• Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Accompanying the EES Regulation
• Smart Borders Pilot Project - Report on the technical conclusions of the Pilot

A common approach to travel measures in the EU

Common approach to travel measures: key areas.

On 25 January 2022 the Council adopted a revised recommendation on facilitating safe and free movement in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement follows the Commission’s proposal of 25 November 2021 .

Under the updated recommendation, COVID-19 measures should be applied based on the individual situation of persons and no longer on the region of origin, with the exception of areas where the virus is circulating at very high levels. This means that a traveller’s COVID-19 vaccination, test or recovery status, proved by a valid  EU Digital COVID Certificate , should be the key determinant. This recommendation responds to the significant increase in vaccine uptake and the rapid roll-out of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, and replaces the previously existing recommendation.

In line with the new rules, EU Member States must accept vaccination certificates for a period of 270 days (9 months) since the completion of the primary vaccination series:

• For a two-dose vaccine, this means 270 days from the second shot or, in line with the national vaccination strategy, the first and only shot after having recovered from COVID-19.
• For a single-dose vaccine, this means 270 days from the first and only shot.

EU countries 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.

As of 1 February 2022, new rules have also been implemented regarding the encoding of booster shots in the Certificate. As already clarified in December, boosters will be recorded as:

• 3/3 for a booster dose following a primary 2-dose vaccination series
• 2/1 for a booster dose following a single-dose vaccination or a one dose of a 2-dose vaccine administered to a recovered person.

Certificates that were issued differently before that clarification need to be corrected and issued again, to make sure that boosters can be distinguished from the status of full vaccination.

This recommendation entered into force on 1 February 2022 .

On 3 February 2022, the Commission proposed to extend the EU Digital COVID Certificate system by a year, until 30 June 2023.

Read more in this factsheet

Person-based approach

Travellers in possession of a valid EU digital COVID Certificate should, in most cases, not be subject to additional restrictions to free movement.

A valid EU Digital COVID Certificate includes:

• A  vaccination certificate  for a vaccine approved at European level if at least 14 days and not more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of the primary vaccination series. Vaccination certificates for booster doses are valid immediately and without a maximum validity, at this stage. EU countries could also accept vaccination certificates for vaccines approved by national authorities or the WHO.
• A negative PCR  test result  obtained no more than 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test obtained no more than 24 hours before travel.
• A  certificate of recovery  indicating that no more than 180 days have passed since the date of the first positive test result.

Persons who are not in possession of an EU Digital COVID Certificate should be required to undergo a test prior to or no later than 24 hours after arrival.

Travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under 12 should not be required to be in the possession of a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Map of EU regions

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will continue to publish a map of Member States’ regions according to a traffic light system (green, orange, red, dark red). The map will be based on the 14-day case notification rate, vaccine uptake and testing rate.

The traffic light map serves mainly as an information tool, but also to coordinate measures for areas with particularly high circulation of the virus. Based on this map, EU countries should apply measures regarding  travel to and from dark red areas , where the virus is circulating at very high levels. They should discourage non-essential travel and require persons arriving from those areas who are not in possession of a vaccination or recovery certificate to undergo a test prior to departure and to quarantine after arrival.

Certain exceptions to these measures should apply to travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under the age of 12.

Emergency brake

When a Member State imposes restrictions in response to the emergence of a new variant, the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission and supported by the ECDC, should review the situation. The Commission, based on the regular assessment of new evidence on variants, may also suggest a discussion within the Council. Similar measures are also possible in case the epidemiological situation in a Member State or in an area within a Member State worsens quickly.

During the discussion, the Commission could propose that the Council agree on a coordinated approach regarding travel from the areas concerned. Any situation resulting in the adoption of measures should be reviewed regularly.

Entry/Exit System (EES)

• Entry/Exit system is currently not in operation.

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Commission Proposes Extending EU Covid-19 Travel Pass by a Year

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe

As part of ongoing efforts to facilitate safe travel in times of Covid-19 , the European Commission proposed on Thursday to extend the use of the EU Digital Covid Certificate by a year.

First implemented on July 1, 2021, the document has enabled free movement and simplified travel across the EU allowing restriction-free access to holders.

It is reminded that more than 1.2 billion EU Digital Covid Certificates have been issued and 60 countries are connected to the system. Holders of the document, which provides proof of Covid vaccination, testing and recovery, can travel freely between member states.

The decision comes after tourism industry calls for an extension as well as in an attempt to prevent a patchwork of controls and blanket restrictions.

In view of the Omicron variant and the ongoing pandemic, the Commission is proposing the EU Digital COVID Certificate remain effective until June 30, 2023. The initial expiration date was set for June 30 this year.

“Extending the regulation will ensure that travelers can continue using their EU Digital Covid Certificate when traveling in the EU where member states maintain certain public health measures,” the Commission said in its statement on Thursday, adding that the proposal will now go to the European Parliament and Council for final approval.

Photo source: European Commission

“Without this extension, we risk having many divergent national systems, and all the confusion and obstacles that this would cause,” said European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders , who described the certificate as being  “an effective tool”.

Besides the extension of the EU Covid pass, the Commission also proposed including high-quality laboratory-based antigen tests among the types of tests for which a test certificate can be issued; ensuring that vaccination certificates contain the correct overall number of doses administered in any EU state and not just in the member state issuing the certificate; providing that certificates may be issued to persons participating in clinical trials for vaccines against Covid-19.

In the meantime, domestic use of the EU Digital Covid Certificates is up to individual member states, however, EU members with a domestic system should ensure that the EU Digital Covid Certificate is also fully accepted for those purposes.

Lastly, the Commission called on EU national governments to harmonize their domestic validity periods with the validity period set at EU level for the purpose of travel.

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides. Photo source: @European Commission

“We propose to update the possibilities to make use of the certificate for travel across the EU in order to provide certainty for our citizens, as long as the public health needs persist. We also propose to bring our certificate up to date with the latest scientific developments and epidemiological changes, the need to speed up booster campaigns and to support vital ongoing clinical research, acknowledging citizens taking part in it,” said Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, adding that the certificate has facilitated safe free movement and travel in times of great uncertainty.

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About the Author

Greece is 3rd most desirable european destination for travel in 2022, says accor, no testing for eu covid certificate holders traveling to greece.

More lies extend for a year, then it will be another year, the bug has gone was never as bad as the people were told. CDC in USA say 75% of covid related deaths the people had four or more co-morbidities, in UK they say 17,000 died from the virus with no illness, but they have not said how many in the total was caused by the Flu, as they added flu cases to the covid case total.

So the vaccines don’t work, the real threat is basically a mild flu now and you want to drag this out for another year? All of these people making decisions should be dropped in the middle of the desert without food or water.

What sort of FREE MOVEMENT it is when you are imposing the certificate to travel? That is imposition of ‘medication’ to those who are refusing to do so? But at the same time they HAVE to travel for work, to see family etc? I call this free movement something else : Dictatorship! If I’m not misktaken it’s not written down in any of the treaties as a fundamental freedom?!!!

I received my primary vaccinations in Greece, and my booster dose in the U.K. The citizens centre (KEP) have recorded by booster dose, but can not issue a revised EU / National vaccination certificate, and subsequently, the QR code on my certificate will expire 7 months after my last vaccination in Greece. At this point, I will be denied entry to to all establishments with the exception of food shops and pharmacies. This is discrimanatry,and worrying. Greece has a ‘monochrome’approach to its systems, which are totally I flexible.

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