Spain Takes Up EU Covid Digital Certificate Early

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Madrid Metropolitan SPAIN COVID NEWS, visit spain

As of this week, Spain has started to issue and accept the EU Digital Covid Certificate which allows all European Union citizens to travel freely inside the block by showing digital proof of vaccination, PCR testing or Covid-19 recovery on entry into another member state.

The new measures were published in Spain’s official government gazette, Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) as well as in English on the Tourism Ministry´s latest Spain Travel Entry Requirement Bulletin.

Spain is one of the first countries in the block to issue and accept the certificate, which is due to come into force on 1st July, throughout all EU member states.

The Spanish autonomous communities have the competence health matters are issuing the certificates which can be accessed by health centres, test centres as well as regional e-portals.

The certificate can also be issued in paper form for the over 65s some of whom may have issues with digital applications.

The certificate allows for information about the persons Covid-19 history to be scanned and verified on arrival in other EU countries.

The certificate consists of a free QR code, which certifies the bearer has had Covid-19 over the last six months, has tested negative for the coronavirus via a PCR or antigen test 11 days prior to the emission of the document, and whether or not they have been vaccinated 14 days previously.

The EU Commission stated that, ‘the certificate only includes a minimum set of information necessary to confirm and verify the holder’s vaccination, testing or recovery status.’

The Spanish government also relaxed some restrictions this week for non-EU arrivals, including the United States, allowing entrance for passengers that can demonstrate that they had been given an EU approved vaccine no later than 14 days prior to arrival.

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, had earlier announced that visitors from the UK, Japan, China and South Korea may enter Spain without the need to be vaccinated or show a negative PCR test.

Spain relies heavily on overseas visitors for its struggling tourism sector which has been decimated by the freeze in international travel due to the pandemic.

All passengers, however, must still complete the Covid-19 track and trace Travel Health Contact Form before entering Spain.

Foreign nationals who are resident in Spain will also be able to receive the certifcate.