The European Parliament adopted by 553 votes to 91, with 46 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable certificates on vaccination, testing and recovery to third-country nationals legally staying or legally residing in the territories of Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic (Digital Green Certificate).
The European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amends the Commission's proposal as follows:
The proposal aims to facilitate the movement of third country nationals within the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable certificates of vaccination, testing and recovery from COVID-19.
Without prejudice to the common measures on the crossing of internal borders by persons and in order to facilitate travel within the territory of the Member States by third-country nationals who are entitled to do so, the rules set out in the Regulation establishing the EU digital COVID certificate will apply to third-country nationals who are not already covered by that Regulation, provided that they are legally staying or residing in the territory of a Member State and are authorised to travel to other Member States in accordance with the Union law
The Regulation aims to facilitate the application of the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination with regard to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring a high level of public health protection.
Since this Regulation applies to third-country nationals already legally staying or residing in the territories of the Member States, it should not be understood as granting third-country nationals wishing to travel to a Member State the right to a EU Digital COVID Certificate from that Member State before arrival on its territory. There is no requirement for Member States to issue vaccination certificates at consular posts.
In order to allow Member States to accept COVID-19 certificates issued by Ireland to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in its territory for the purposes of facilitating travel within the territories of the Member States, Ireland should issue those third-country nationals with COVID-19 certificates that comply with the requirements of the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework. Ireland and the other Member States should accept certificates issued to third-country nationals covered by this Regulation on a reciprocal basis.
The Regulation should apply from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.