The European Parliament and EU member states reached a deal on Thursday paving the way for a COVID-19 certificate that will help open up travel in Europe for the key summer season.
The deal will allow for anybody living in the EU's 27 countries to secure a digital health pass by the end of June that displays their vaccination status, results of COVID-19 tests or whether they have recovered from a coronavirus infection.
It is seen as a key tool to save the European summer vacation period, allowing countries dependent on tourists to reopen to visitors less likely to bring COVID-19 with them.
The EU's health pass will initially be used only for travel within the European bloc and will be legally valid for 12 months. Any extension will require a new legislative process.
According to negotiators, MEPs failed in a bid to make free COVID tests available to all unvaccinated citizens, securing only a call for "affordable" testing across the EU.
The European Commission also promised to make at least 100 million euros available for the purchase of rapid tests.
