Israel and the European Union have recently agreed to mutually recognize their respective vaccine certificates in a joint effort headed by the Israeli Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Mission to the European Union in Brussels.
The agreement will be completed by early October, giving vaccinated Israeli tourists and business people access to the European Green Pass, granting entrance to restaurants, cultural centers, public institutions, and more.
Furthermore, according to the statement, the mutual agreement will lay the groundwork for Israel to begin accepting tourists from Europe.
Apart from EU countries, the agreement will offer vaccinated Israelis a Green Pass in other countries connected to the same system (currently Morocco and Turkey, among other countries).
It is important to note that the program does not supersede the entry requirements of individual EU countries currently barning Israeli tourists. Furthermore, it does not prevent Israel from barring entry or setting specific requirements (such as vaccinations, corona testing, or isolation).
According to Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, “The ability to travel the world is the basis for ensuring ties between peoples and nations. This mutual agreement is an important step in laying the groundwork for a return to normal life concerning flights and tourism ties between Israel and the EU. I congratulate the teams at the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Health, and the Israeli Mission to the European Union in Brussels for this important achievement.”
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz called the agreement “a big step forward in our effort to ease the situation for our citizens and allow them to live alongside the virus. Europe recognizes the Israeli vaccination certificate, and we recognize theirs.
“This agreement will provide significant relief for the aviation and tourism sectors, as well as our economic ties. This is how we work in all spheres of life – by fighting the virus decisively and putting great effort into vaccinations while keeping the economy, cultural life, education, and workplaces open. Thanks to all professional teams at the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs for this move.”
