European Countries that Approved Covishield for Green Pass

Ten European countries approved Covishield for Green Pass in a recent move for international travel. Covishield is a variant of AstraZeneca along with four other EMA approved vaccines like Vaxzevria (Oxford-AstraZeneca), Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech), Spikevax (Moderna) and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) for its new Green Pass. This move came after India announced that it would recognize the EU’s digital Covid certificate only on a reciprocal basis and would recognise the certificate if EU’s 27 countries extend the same courtesy to India’s vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin. Countries like EU’s Austria, Estonia, Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Ireland, and Spain and Non-EU countries like Switzerland and Iceland are all set to welcome travellers who have received Covishield immunizations from India while Covaxin has been approved by Estonia so far.

Must Read: States Begin Special Vaccination for Students Going Abroad

8 European nations accept Covishield in their Green Pass after India’s warning to quarantine their citizens. Detailshttps://t.co/GfVN5Tb16S

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) July 1, 2021

“A comprehensive review of our relationship with EUHR VP @JosepBorrellF. Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders’ Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up ‘Covishield’ authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

This implies that those who have received the Covishield vaccine will be exempt from travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine in these countries. This comes after India warned of retaliation after none of its vaccines was added to the EU’s ‘Green Pass.’ Covishield has been added to the list of vaccines approved for entry into the eight European Union countries: Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland while other countries in the EU are yet to give Indian vaccines go ahead. 

What is the EU’s Green Pass?

EU’s Green Pass is a digital certificate that makes travel between EU countries and the rest of the world easier. The certificate will allow people vaccinated (with both doses) by the EMA approved vaccines. The green pass will allow easy travel between EU countries from July 1, 2021, without the hindrance of testing and quarantine. The certificate will include name, date of birth, date of issuance, vaccination name, or details of the negative test result or recovery are included on the certificate. Further restrictions have been adopted by popular tourist destinations to prevent another wave of the coronavirus and have restricted entry to citizens from orange and red- countries where the pandemic is still underway. 

“We have asked EU member states to consider extending comparable exemptions to those who have received COVID-19 vaccines in India, such as Covishield and Covaxin, and recognize the vaccination certificate given through the CoWIN portal,” said the source.

India and the EU over the Green Pass

India in a recent announcement stated that EU’s digital COVID certificate will be accepted on a reciprocal basis and only if EU’s 27 members accept Indian vaccines like Covishield and Covaxin after EU’s list of vaccines failed to include them. India has stated that if its request to recognize Covishield and Covaxin vaccinations is granted, it will implement a reciprocity policy and exempt European nationals with the ‘Green Pass’ from mandatory quarantine. India had addressed the issue with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and France had requested EU member states to consider extending a similar exemption on a case-by-case basis.

Also Read: Government Reduces Second Jab Gap for Travel Abroad

List of Countries that Approved Covisheild

• Italy
• Switzerland
• Iceland
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Finland
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Netherland
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Estonia

Nearly 10 European Countries have approved Covishield for a Green Pass! More study destinations like France, Poland, Italy, Sweden and Finland are likely to follow this tradition. The approval by popular European countries is great news for all Indian students planning to study abroad this year! If you are planning to pursue your studies abroad and are confused about the travel restrictions then contact our experts at Leverage Edu to make your dream study abroad a reality!