Today, Irish officials will begin circulating around two million Covid certificates for the return of safe international travel.
Those who have already been vaccinated will be given a unique QR code allowing airport authorities in participating countries to determine whether or not you’re protected against Covid-19.
After receiving it via post or email, you can save your code down on your phone, or use the physical document as proof, however, it has been confirmed that the document is not a precondition for travel outside of Ireland.
As part of the EU system, there are actually four different Covid certificates that can be obtained and used for travel.
1. Certificate based on vaccination
First up is the main pass being circulated from this week.
You can only get this certificate if you have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
If the HSE has a valid email address for you from the vaccination process – you will get your Digital Covid Certificate by email.
It will be in PDF format when you receive it, so you can choose to download it to your phone, or print it off, as long as the QR code may be inspected or scanned.
If you received your dose from your GP, you will likely get your certificate via post.
2. Certificate based on recovery
A certificate of recovery will be made available to any unvaccinated passengers from 11 days after a positive test.
Unlike the vaccination cert, this one will be valid for no more than 180 days.
If you want to request your recovery cert, you will be able to do so through a helpline - the details of which will be confirmed later today.
3. Certificate based on negative RT-PCR test
If you have not been vaccinated, or had Covid-19, you can still travel on the basis of a negative PCR test.
Once you obtain the RT-PCR test privately, a Digital COVID Certificate will be provided by the particular testing service you use.
4. Certificate based on negative antigen test
You can also obtain an antigen test privately in Ireland and a unique QR code will be provided by the testing service - this can be used for entry to a number of European countries at the moment.
However, passengers should be aware that an antigen test will not be accepted for entry to Ireland, so you must organise a PCR test from your country of departure max 72 hours before your flight.
