Greece sets tone for Europe’s summer travel
Planned EU ‘digital green certificate’ to embed national schemes already under way
Summer travel
While the EU is ironing out the details of a digital platform aimed at simplifying travel this summer, countries including Greece and Portugal already have national systems up and running, write Eleni Varvitsioti in Athens and Valentina Pop in Brussels.
Greece was among the first EU countries to formally welcome foreign visitors last week, as it seeks to double the revenues of its tourism industry, a vital sector that has been heavily hit since the pandemic brought travelling to a halt.
Tourists arriving in Greece no longer have to quarantine if they provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated (including with Russia’s vaccine), a negative Covid-19 test or documentation that shows they have recovered from the virus.
Since the EU-wide digital green certificate (nothing to do with energy consumption on appliances) that will incorporate national systems is not ready yet, individual member states are putting their own systems in place.
What is the EU’s digital green certificate?
- Digital proof valid in all EU countries that a person has tested negative, was vaccinated or has recovered from Covid-19
- Format is a QR code in the national language and in English
EU affairs ministers last week gave their green light to the scheme, but final details are still being ironed out, with some countries taking part in pilot trials aiming to have the final system set up by the end of June.
Meanwhile, negotiators from the European parliament, commission and member states are seeking to thrash out a deal on the final details of the certificates. Last week, one of the sticking points was the parliament’s insistence that Covid-19 tests should be free to avoid adding hundreds of euros to the cost of family vacations. The price of a Covid-19 test ranges from zero in France to about €200 in Finland.
Visitors arriving in Greece have to declare their contact information and final destination in electronic form so they can be traced if needed.
“Greece has an internal green pass operational already and will be there from day one, June 1, participating in this important European achievement,” tourism minister Harry Theoharis told Europe Express.
Over the past weekend, the number of arrivals at Greece’s 14 regional and national airports was 23,455, according to the Ministry of Tourism, showing signs that the country’s most profitable industry is gearing for a comeback.
Last year, the number of visitors to Greece was down roughly 80 per cent to 7.4m, from a record 34m in 2019. Greece’s finance ministry is hoping to reach about half its pre-pandemic tourism revenues in order to keep the country’s budget on track.
Given how important tourism is for a swath of European economies, other capitals will be watching early experiments in re-opening very intently.