Countries Using The New Vaccine Passport

Learn More About Countries Using the New Vaccine Passport

After more than 18 months in the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination initiatives worldwide have added a line of defense against the spread of the virus, allowing international travel to resume. As the global health situation continues to evolve, international travelers must navigate a complicated patchwork of health-related policies on pandemic-era travel that vary by region and country.

Acceptance and use of vaccine passports varies worldwide. Also known as health passports, vaccine passports certify that a person is vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccine passports store your COVID vaccination data, along with recent coronavirus test results and other relevant health and travel information. You can share this digital health information with health or customs officials during your travels.

The European Union's Digital Green Certificate allows free movement over the EU's borders to citizens of about 30 countries. All EU countries plan to begin using a vaccine passport in July. In contrast, the U.S. does not plan to issue or mandate national vaccine passports.

In addition to a health certificate, countries may require proof of full vaccination and a recent negative coronavirus test. Health and travel rules may change without notice due to the evolving circumstances of the pandemic. You should verify international travel and COVID vaccination requirements with your airline and destination country before traveling.

Students should also check with their school about on-campus vaccination opportunities and requirements in advance of the upcoming semester or studying abroad. Continue reading to learn what some top international destinations require of students and all travelers as pandemic travel restrictions relax.

As of August 2021, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that people who are not fully vaccinated should avoid international travel. The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of virus variants, such as the Delta strain, differs by country. For that reason, "Travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling."

Countries Currently Requiring Proof of Vaccination

Here's an overview of how some countries require travelers to verify their health and vaccination status. Keep in mind these guidelines may change without notice. Before traveling internationally, also note that visa requirements may differ due to the pandemic.

• Canada

  Start Date: Sept. 7, 2021

  Canada requires all travelers to upload proof of vaccination, quarantine, and travel information in the ArriveCAN app or on a website 72 hours before travel. Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents travelling for nonessential reasons may enter Canada under most circumstances. Visit the Canadian Border Services Agency website for information about entry restrictions. The Canadian government includes tourism in its definition of nonessential travel. People who do not submit the required information in ArriveCAN before arriving will not be considered fully vaccinated, even if they meet all other requirements.

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• Croatia

  Start Date: Sept. 1, 2021

  U.S. travelers to Croatia have options to confirm their health status. They can present a negative COVID-19 test. The results must be from the last 48-72 hours depending on the type of test. Croatia-bound U.S. travelers may also present proof of vaccination no older than 270 days.

  The proof must also show that a person received the final vaccine dose at least 14 days before arrival. Or, they can perform testing at their personal expense on arrival. However, people who test themselves must self-isolate until receiving a negative result. Travelers to Croatia from European Union countries, regardless of citizenship, may enter the country if they hold a valid EU digital COVID certificate. Anyone traveling to Croatia may expedite their border crossing process by completing the Enter Croatia form online.

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• Ecuador

  Start Date: March 22, 2021

  Upon arrival in Ecuador, travelers must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the past 72 hours. The proof of vaccination must show that a person received the required vaccine doses at least 14 days before entering the country. This rule applies to everyone age 2 and up, except for airline crew members. People may also present a medical certificate stating they have recovered from COVID-19.

  More rules apply to visit the Galapagos Islands. Effective Sept. 11, 2021, foreign travelers to the islands aged 16 and up must present a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. They must also show proof of vaccination that was completed 14 days before travel. Travelers to the Galapagos will also need a government-issued transit control card.

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• France

  Start Date: Aug. 10, 2021

  Vaccinated travelers from the U.S., the European Union, and about 25 other countries may enter France with proof of vaccination. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated need a negative coronavirus test from the last 72 hours. Travelers from Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain need a negative test from the last 24 hours.

  Fully vaccinated travelers to France from 27 specific countries may also enter with proof of vaccination. However, entry conditions apply for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from countries in France's red category. Travel to France from all other countries requires proof of vaccination. France's Ministry of the Interior website provides details on entry requirements. France also has information online on how international travelers can obtain a French health pass with a foreign vaccination certificate.

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• Germany

  Start Date: Aug. 1, 2021

  All travelers to Germany aged 12 and up must show proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result. Depending on the type of test, the results must be from the last 48-72 hours. The rules apply to people from all countries, regardless if they arrive by road, rail, boat, or air.

  German officials said in June that they'd issued about 5 million vaccination passports under the European Union's digital system. Use of the app is voluntary, according to a statement from the German government agency that oversees disease control and prevention. People who do not want to use the app can use printed documents to verify their vaccination status.

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• Greece

  Start Date: May 14, 2021

  Proof of vaccination from an appropriate authority is one type of health-related documentation Greece will accept. Other types include a negative coronavirus test or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a public health authority. Travelers to Greece must complete a passenger locator form before arrival.

  Vaccination certificates must include a person's full name and the type and dates of vaccination. The language on their health-related documentation must be in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian. Travelers to Greece may be subject to random testing on arrival. If a traveler tests positive, they and their travel companions will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days. The Greek government pays for the hotel quarantine.

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• Iceland

  Start Date: Aug. 16, 2021

  Travelers to Iceland must follow specific rules to enter the country. First, travelers must pre-register before arrival. Then, upon arrival, they must present proof of full vaccination or a certificate of previous infection. If the government deems the certificate invalid, the person needs to undergo two tests and quarantine for five days in between. Travelers must have received the final vaccine dose 14 days earlier.

  Vaccinated passengers, and anyone with prior infection of COVID-19, must also present a negative test from 72 hours before departure. Note that Iceland doesn't accept self tests. People who live in Iceland, or who have "a network" in the country as defined by the government, must still take a coronavirus test within 48 hours of arrival, regardless if they receive a negative test result.

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• Spain

  Start Date: Sept. 6, 2021

  U.S. travelers to Spain must present proof of vaccination. In addition, U.S. citizens traveling to Spain must present a QR code created by Spain's Travel Health portal. The app is available through the website, the iTunes store, or the Google Play store.

  All travelers regardless of age need this code, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Spain and Andorra website. U.S. citizens travelling to Spain from countries other than the U.S. should follow the guidance published by Spanish authorities on local embassy websites.

Questions About Vaccine Passports