Irish passport holders living outside the EU can now claim a Digital Covid Certificate to help them get home for Christmas.
The Digital Covid Certificate is needed for travelling within the EU, before entering pubs and restaurants, and other activities such as going to a football match or a nightclub in Ireland.
But, in a massive boost to Irish families, those outside the Union with an Irish passport will now be able to get their hands on one.
Applying for the Digital Covid Certificate Self Service Portal means you won't need to call the Digital Covid Certificate call centre. The easy process can be completely online.
In order to apply for the EU Digital Covid Certificate you will need to:
1. Have received a vaccination type which is approved for use in Ireland which include: Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca (Vaxevria/Covishield), Johnson & Johnson/Janssen or Pfizer-BioNtech.
2. Have proof of vaccination from the country that administered your vaccination.
3. Hold a valid Irish passport and be an adult, that is you have reached your 18th birthday on the day you make your application.
If eligible, you will receive your EU Covid certificate via email.
For those outside the EU hoping to come home for Christmas, you can apply for a Digital EU Covid Cert here.
The announcement received widespread political praise.
Cllr Criostina Kelly tweeted: “If you have family members hoping to come home from abroad this Christmas, this will be very useful for them.
“Thanks Ossain Smyth and team for organising this. It will be very useful for Irish people coming home to visit.”
Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD also tweeted: “Well worth sharing with family who might be abroad.”
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