As of 1 February 2022, the requirement set by the European Union Regulation on the validity of the digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate for entry into the Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and the Swiss Confederation enters into force. The vaccination certificate is now valid for nine months for entry into these countries, regardless of the name of the vaccine received (for vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency), the National Health Service (NHS) informs.
The requirement of the nine-month or 270-day validity period applies only to entry, while the requirements for the validity period and use of the vaccination certificate within the country – for visiting catering establishments, shops, receiving services, etc. where a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate is required – are determined individually by each country. The NHS explains that the requirements set by other countries are not related to the legislation of the Republic of Latvia, as well as to the validity periods set for the vaccination certificate. At the same time, it should be noted that the validity period of the certificate for the use within the country may be less than the nine-month period set for entry.
Therefore, before travelling to another Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or the Swiss Confederation, the NHS encourages all citizens to find out information regarding the country’s:
- entry requirements (presenting the certificate in electronic or paper form, requirement regarding a Covid-19 test etc.)
- requirements regarding the validity of the vaccination certificate and its use within the country;
- other requirements for tourists entering and staying in the country during a Covid-19 pandemic.
Citizens can find out the said information by contacting the national Contact Point or information point. Contact Points’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the NHS website www.vmnvd.gov.lv under “Contacting the Contact Point”. You can also contact the responsible national regulatory authority of the relevant country to find out more.
Information on the entry and residence requirements imposed by the Member States of the European Union during the Covid-19 pandemic is collected by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Press and Communications and published on https://reopen.europa.eu/.