As of 1 February 2022, the European Union Regulation requirement on the validity of the digital COVID 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. From now on, the vaccination certificate is valid for nine months for entry into these countries, regardless of the name of the vaccine received (this applies to vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency). The 9-month certificate validity requirement for entry into the Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and the Swiss Confederation does not apply to the "Certificate of Booster Vaccination", informs the National Health Service (NHS).
The nine-month or 270-day validity requirement applies only to entry, while the requirements for the duration of validity and use of the vaccination certificate within the country - for visiting catering establishments, shops, services, etc. where a valid COVID vaccination certificate is required - are determined on a country-by-country basis. The NHS explains that the requirements set by other countries are not related to the legislation of the Republic of Latvia and the validity periods set for the vaccination certificate. At the same time, it should be noted that the validity period of the certificate set abroad for domestic use may be less than the nine months established for entry.
Before travelling to another EU Member State, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or the Swiss Confederation, the NHS urges everyone to find out more about the country of destination:
- entry requirements (presentation of electronic or paper certificate, necessity of COVID test, etc.)
- requirements for the validity and domestic use of the vaccination certificate;
- other requirements for tourists to enter and stay in the country during a COVID pandemic.
You can find out about the above by contacting your country's Contact point or Information point. Contact points' telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the NHS website www.vmnvd.gov.lvunder Section "Contacting the Contact Point". You can also contact the respective public authority to find out the information you are seeking.
Information on the entry and residence requirements imposed by the Member States of the European Union during the COVID pandemic is collected by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communication and published on https://reopen.europa.eu/.