The European Parliament adopted by 454 votes to 112, with 20 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/954 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate) with regard to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territories of Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure, endorsing the Commission's proposal.
The regulation aims to facilitate the movement of third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 certificates relating to a person's vaccination against COVID-19, their test results or their recovery.
The EU digital COVID certificate was introduced by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 of the European Parliament and of the Council which set out a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 certificates of vaccination, test or recovery in order to facilitate the exercise of the right to free movement of Union citizens and their family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The period of application of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 should be extended by 12 months (until 30 June 2023). As the purpose of Regulation (EU) 2021/954 is to extend the application of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to certain categories of third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the Union, its period of application is therefore directly linked to that of Regulation (EU) 2021/953. Regulation (EU) 2021/954 is amended accordingly.
The regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It should apply from 1 July 2021 for as long as Regulation (EU) 2021/953 is applicable.