The European Commission is exploring proposals to introduce vaccine passports, a move that will facilitate greater travel across borders within the EU. Member states will discuss the idea at a summit this week, with many already signaling their approval for a passport-style document.

EU countries press for COVID passports
The concept of a vaccine passport has already been touted by some EU member states, including Greece, Spain and Belgium. In a November interview with Simple Flying, Lufthansa executive, Bjoern Becker, revealed that governments are looking at immunity documentation and predicted its widespread rollout. The idea behind a passport system is to allow more freedom of movement between borders without risking further spread of the virus.

Authorities have consulted with airlines on the matter, with many carriers in favor of mandating vaccination passports or certificates. Presently, COVID tests act as de facto second passports across the world, with airlines and countries refusing passengers unable to present a negative result.

Several airlines have already indicated their pro-vaccination position, including Qantas, which is looking at a ‘no jab, no fly’ policy on long-haul international flights. Proposals for a standard COVID passport are still in the early stages, with no indication yet of how the passports will work in practice.