Austria and twelve other EU countries have agreed on seven criteria for the creation of a “Green Passport” for tourism.

The aim is to implement the “Green Pass” quickly and as uniformly as possible at European level, said Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) of the APA. These seven priorities from the point of view of tourism would now be transmitted to the EU Commission.

The 13 member states agreed on key points during a video conference. The project is to be implemented by June at the latest, thereby facilitating freedom of movement during the ongoing pandemic. It must be ensured that the certificates are treated equally and that there is no discrimination.

A compulsory vaccination is rejected

There should be no introduction of mandatory vaccination through the back door. This should be achieved by means of a secure and user-friendly technical solution, according to the priority list sent to the APA. The national freedom of choice over additional freedoms through the “Green Pass”, which should be visible on a common platform, must be preserved, it said. 

Furthermore, the health data of the individual citizens should not be stored at EU level, but should be reserved exclusively for the member state. A cross-border solution with third countries is also being worked on. “The Green Pass shows at a glance whether someone has been vaccinated, recovered or tested. With a uniform QR code, this should be implemented in a simple and user-friendly manner on a European level, ”says Köstinger.