COVID-19 vaccination certificates for people aged under 18 no longer subject to time limit after primary vaccination series when used for travel
In future, EU COVID-19 vaccination certificates used for travel purposes will remain valid until further notice for those under the age of 18 who have completed the full primary vaccination series (usually two doses). COVID-19 vaccination certificates for adults expire when 270 days, i.e. about nine months, have passed from the last dose of the primary vaccination series. As of yet, no acceptance period applies to certificates issued following the administration of booster doses.
The European Commission made the amendment concerning people under 18 years of age by issuing a regulation to this end. The regulation will enter into force today. To allow for sufficient time for the technical implementation of the regulation, the amendment will not enter fully into force in the Member States until after 6 April.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate may be required when travelling within the EU. Countries may have different practices and rules for COVID-19 certificates that people need to follow when crossing borders. Before travelling, you should check the COVID-19 situation and the rules for COVID-19 certificates in your destination and, before returning home, you should check the situation in Finland and take care to follow the latest guidelines. The Re-open EU website compiles information on travel instructions and restrictions in place in the EU Member States. Each Member State defines in its own legislation how COVID-19 certificates are used nationally.
- Nine-month acceptance period of EU COVID-19 vaccination certificates introduced for travel (Press release of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 31 January 2022)
- Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 certificate (kanta.fi)
Further information
Inquiries from the public about COVID-19 certificates in the My Kanta Pages
General advice:
- My Kanta Pages customer service: [email protected]
- Note: The customer service for the My Kanta Pages cannot check or correct people’s personal health data. In such cases, please contact the healthcare unit that treated you.
Errors or shortcomings in COVID-19 certificates:
- Healthcare services: the organisation that administered the vaccine or conducted the COVID-19 test
Certificate requirements of foreign countries and the certificate practices of ship operators and airlines:
- the COVID-19 websites of the destination country or the website and customer service channels of the ship operator or airline
- Re-open EU (europa.eu)
Media inquiries:
Outi Äyräs-Blumberg, Senior Specialist, [email protected], Ministry of Social Affairs and Health