The EU Digital Covid Certificate for travel will start being sent today to around 1.9 million people who have been fully vaccinated across Ireland.
People will start to receive theirs early this week by email or by post.
If you have recovered from Covid, you can request the Digital Covid 19 Certificate.
To apply for this, you must have had a positive Covid test within the past six months.
The Digital Covid-19 Certificate scheme will mean those who are fully vaccinated will be free to travel abroad without producing a negative test on their return.
They will also avoid hotel or home quarantining.
It is not necessary to have a Digital Covid-19 Certificate to travel abroad -- but having one will certainly ease passage through airports.
And by removing the need to quarantine, this will provide a much-needed boost to the troubled tourism industry.
Non-essential international travel will reopen on July 19.
At present, Ireland has the strictest travel measures in the European Union.
Irish passengers will finally be able to travel freely from July 19th throughout Europe with proof of full vaccination, with all EU member states implementing the eased restrictions, including holiday hotspots like Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal.
Passengers will also be able to use their certs for entry into six non-EU countries that have opted into the system.
They are: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City.
The Department of Health has set up a call centre that will help people who have questions about their Covid Cert.
People who get a negative PCR test result at a private testing service will be given their certificate there. The test must be taken up to 72 hours before travel.
Likewise, if you get a negative antigen test at a private testing service, you will be issued a certificate at the facility.
Private Antigen tests must be taken up to 48 hours before travel.
A Digital Covid-19 Certificate can also be obtained for your child.
However, not all countries will accept antigen tests.
This includes Ireland, so it is essential to check your destination's requirements of entry before travel.
The certificate features a QR code for verification, which border officials and venue staff can use to check against digital signatures stored in Luxembourg servers.
The information contained on the certificate will include your name, your date of birth; the date of issue; relevant information about your vaccine, test or recovery from Covid-19 and a unique number.
A digital version of the certificate can be stored on a mobile device and people can also request a paper version -- both will have the QR code as well as a digital signature to ensure it is authentic.
The Digital Covid Certificate is checked by scanning the QR code and pre-departure checks will be carried out by airlines or ferry companies through an enhanced passenger locator form process, with spot checks by the border management unit or gardai on arrival.
Those who plan to travel after July 19 are being encouraged to check the ReOpen EU website as countries have different rules in place for what is needed when entering the country.
