Paper, plastic or digital: How will Austria’s coronavirus immunity card work?
Austria will implement its coronavirus immunity card, giving vaccinated people access to bars, restaurants and events, by May 19th. This is what you can expect.
Austria has been one of Europe's leaders when it comes to the coronavirus immunity card.
Set to begin on May 19th, here's what we know about the proposal so far.
What is the 'green pass'?
Austria’s immunity pass - nicknamed ‘green pass’ after a similar idea in Israel - will give people who have been vaccinated, tested negative and recently healed from the virus certain privileges.
It will be up and running by May 19th, when the country steps out of the nationwide lockdown.
Austria will introduce the pass before a similar idea is introduced at EU level, meaning that for most Austrians it will be introduced in phases.
While the project has also been in development at a European level, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is one of its major advocates.
In a press conference on April 26th, Kurz said he wanted Austria to be a “pioneer” of this plan.
Kurz also indicated Austria will have the plan ready in the coming weeks and did not want to wait for the EU before implementing it.
First phase: May 19th
The first phase of the green pass will be May 19th - just in time for Austria’s nationwide lockdown loosening.
READ MORE: Austria to relax most coronavirus measures on May 19th
At this stage, “it will not be much more than normal proof of vaccination, testing and recovery”, reports Austria’s Der Standard newspaper.
In that sense, the early phase of the green pass is expected to be similar to the existing proof needed to visit hairdressers in most Austrian states - and bars and restaurants in the state of Vorarlberg.
It is not expected to be required for retail, however.
This means that the early phase of the green pass will simply be paper or electronic proof of vaccination, negative test or a recent coronavirus infection.
If you already have your Austrian vaccination passport (Impfpass), the vaccination will be added to that. If you do not, you will receive evidence when you are vaccinated.
More information is available at the following link
EXPLAINED: How can I prove I’ve been vaccinated to access pubs and hairdressers in Austria?
Second phase: early to mid-June
The second phase will see the pass incorporate a QR code, which will make it easier and quicker to scan people into events and bars and restaurants.
This will be usable through smart phones, but Austrian media also reports it will be usable in paper form.
An exact date has not been set for this, however Austrian media reports it is expected to be two to three weeks after May 19th’s first phase.
Third phase: Europe
The third phase of the plan will involve a continent-wide scheme which will give holders rights to travel.
This has sometimes been termed the ‘green passport’ and will not only allow people to travel, but is expected to be ready to allow people to visit bars, restaurants, events and close contact services (i.e. hairdressers) in other countries.
No set date has been given for this but it is expected to be ready in time for summer.
EXPLAINED: What is Austria's compulsory testing requirement for visiting hairdressers?
Wasn’t this supposed to be introduced in April?
Austria had previously announced that the card would be released in April, but the plan was blocked by opposition parties in Austrian parliament.
As a result, it will now be introduced in three stages from May 19th.
Useful vocabulary
Impfpass - vaccination pass
Impfkarte - vaccination card
Impfpass - vaccination certificate
Impfung - vaccination
Handysignatur - Mobile phone signature
Grüner Pass - Green pass (digital certificate)
Eintrittsberechtigung - entry authorisation
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Austria has been one of Europe's leaders when it comes to the coronavirus immunity card.
Set to begin on May 19th, here's what we know about the proposal so far.
What is the 'green pass'?
Austria’s immunity pass - nicknamed ‘green pass’ after a similar idea in Israel - will give people who have been vaccinated, tested negative and recently healed from the virus certain privileges.
It will be up and running by May 19th, when the country steps out of the nationwide lockdown.
Austria will introduce the pass before a similar idea is introduced at EU level, meaning that for most Austrians it will be introduced in phases.
While the project has also been in development at a European level, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is one of its major advocates.
In a press conference on April 26th, Kurz said he wanted Austria to be a “pioneer” of this plan.
Kurz also indicated Austria will have the plan ready in the coming weeks and did not want to wait for the EU before implementing it.
First phase: May 19th
The first phase of the green pass will be May 19th - just in time for Austria’s nationwide lockdown loosening.
READ MORE: Austria to relax most coronavirus measures on May 19th
At this stage, “it will not be much more than normal proof of vaccination, testing and recovery”, reports Austria’s Der Standard newspaper.
In that sense, the early phase of the green pass is expected to be similar to the existing proof needed to visit hairdressers in most Austrian states - and bars and restaurants in the state of Vorarlberg.
It is not expected to be required for retail, however.
This means that the early phase of the green pass will simply be paper or electronic proof of vaccination, negative test or a recent coronavirus infection.
If you already have your Austrian vaccination passport (Impfpass), the vaccination will be added to that. If you do not, you will receive evidence when you are vaccinated.
More information is available at the following link
EXPLAINED: How can I prove I’ve been vaccinated to access pubs and hairdressers in Austria?
Second phase: early to mid-June
The second phase will see the pass incorporate a QR code, which will make it easier and quicker to scan people into events and bars and restaurants.
This will be usable through smart phones, but Austrian media also reports it will be usable in paper form.
An exact date has not been set for this, however Austrian media reports it is expected to be two to three weeks after May 19th’s first phase.
Third phase: Europe
The third phase of the plan will involve a continent-wide scheme which will give holders rights to travel.
This has sometimes been termed the ‘green passport’ and will not only allow people to travel, but is expected to be ready to allow people to visit bars, restaurants, events and close contact services (i.e. hairdressers) in other countries.
No set date has been given for this but it is expected to be ready in time for summer.
EXPLAINED: What is Austria's compulsory testing requirement for visiting hairdressers?
Wasn’t this supposed to be introduced in April?
Austria had previously announced that the card would be released in April, but the plan was blocked by opposition parties in Austrian parliament.
As a result, it will now be introduced in three stages from May 19th.
Useful vocabulary
Impfpass - vaccination pass
Impfkarte - vaccination card
Impfpass - vaccination certificate
Impfung - vaccination
Handysignatur - Mobile phone signature
Grüner Pass - Green pass (digital certificate)
Eintrittsberechtigung - entry authorisation
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