EU now recognizes Phl COVID vax certificates

Traveling to countries in the European Union will now be easier for Filipinos in this era of pandemic as the bloc now recognizes the Philippines’ VaxCertPH as equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC).

In its official website, the EU announced that the Philippines is now connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate #EUDCC system.

“This means that, as a result of the equivalence decision, the EU recognizes the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination certificates and, at the same time, the Philippines accept to recognize EUDCC certificates according to its own legal order,” the EU announcement added.

Filipino travelers who have not been vaccinated with EU-authorized vaccine still need to check which vaccines accepted by the relevant member state prior to their travel.

The Philippines is the sixth country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be recognized under the EU Digital COVID Certificate #EUDCC system. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam are included in #EUDCC.

Effective July 29, holders of the Philippine vaccine certificate may use it under the same conditions as people holding the #EUDCC when travelling between EU member states.

At the same time, travellers carrying the #EUDCC can now use it to confirm their vaccination status when entering the Philippines.

“The European Union regards this as an important milestone in ensuring expedite and safe travel and people’s mobility,” said European Union Chargé d’Affaires Dr Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz.

“We are grateful to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Health and Bureau of Quarantine for their work through the process, and to the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Tourism for their support,” Ruiz added.