Article: Europe Doesn’t Recognise Australian Vaccination Certificates

[Bryce]

Great, no reason not to based on the experience we had.

Just going through the process, not sure if this has always been the case but it now states that proof of stays that “can be canceled for free are not accepted”

 

[Mattg]

Just going through the process, not sure if this has always been the case but it now states that proof of stays that “can be canceled for free are not accepted”

Seems fair enough. Although, I'm actually travelling to Zurich next month and my hotel booking allows for free cancellation - as most do. It would be frustrating if they rejected me on those grounds, forcing me to make a non-refundable booking.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just going through the process, not sure if this has always been the case but it now states that proof of stays that “can be canceled for free are not accepted”

Hmm interesting...considering this is the only method available at the moment, it's going to be a real problem if it gets closed off.

 

[xabialonso]

Just got my certificate this morning, lucky I applied on thursday night just before they added the new rule

 

[Bryce]

Seems fair enough. Although, I'm actually travelling to Zurich next month and my hotel booking allows for free cancellation - as most do. It would be frustrating if they rejected me on those grounds, forcing me to make a non-refundable booking.

I agree, all our hotels in France and Italy have free cancellation. As you would these days.
I processed 2 applications anyway so I'll find out soon i guess.

 

[xabialonso]

Wonder if they have added this new rule for the other Swiss method (the one which involves a payment of 30 CHF)?

 

[infoworks]

I am having an issue with Swiss Pass and travel to other Countries Greece GB and Italy. Ideas and advice sincerely appreciated.
Swiss Pass, doesn't put me into the payment section and goes back to start again. What's the issue and how to overcome it?
Greece - getting into Greece seems OK with PCR test, International Vax cert, etc.
GB - even though they have stopped PCR requirements, flying from ATH to LHR will we need a PCR just to fly there (on Aegean)?
Italy - travelling from ATH to Bologna, then train to Florence. Will that require a PCR? I have read that the Oz International vax cert is "accepted" but not always on trains. How can we resolve this?

 

[infoworks]

Yes I've applied for Swiss certificates for myself twice, they work in other EU countries without a problem.

I have tried this but it doesn't let me get past the payment part. How might this be overcome? (on an Android).

 

[Bryce]

I am please to report that the two applications I placed for Geneva were successful and I received both certificates without question

 

[infoworks]

We left Australia in late November 2021 on a 10 week trip around the world. Luckily for us we organised an EU certificate through Switzerland before we left. It’s extremely lucky we did as the Australian international certificate was not worth the paper it was printed on in Europe. It has been recognised at airports but the QR code doesn’t work on trains, and at attractions and restaurant. Some people may be willing to view the paper-based international certificate (if they can read English), but many will just turn people away without a valid EU pass. We observe this time and time again with American tourists trying to use their CDC cards. The EU pass was hands down the best money spent so far.

Is the Swiss certificate (which I have) regarded as EU or Shengen? Do all EU countries accept the Swiss certificate (like Greece) for example? even when flying in from Dubai?

Post automatically merged: Feb 8, 2022

I have tried this but it doesn't let me get past the payment part. How might this be overcome? (on an Android).

I have since resolved the payment issue, which worked on computer but not on phone (for me).

 

[infoworks]

I am having an issue with Swiss Pass and travel to other Countries Greece GB and Italy. Ideas and advice sincerely appreciated.
Swiss Pass, doesn't put me into the payment section and goes back to start again. What's the issue and how to overcome it?
Greece - getting into Greece seems OK with PCR test, International Vax cert, etc.
GB - even though they have stopped PCR requirements, flying from ATH to LHR will we need a PCR just to fly there (on Aegean)?
Italy - travelling from ATH to Bologna, then train to Florence. Will that require a PCR? I have read that the Oz International vax cert is "accepted" but not always on trains. How can we resolve this?

As posted elsewhere, I was able to get the Swiss certificate. I believe that should work in the EU and avoid problems with the Oz certificates.
I'm still curious if airlines will require PCR tests, regardless of country requirements.

 

[geoffro_22]

Hi, apologies if already answered, how long are the Swiss Passes valid for? We are travelling in late March and I read somewhere they may only be valid for 30 days?

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Bryce]

Hi Geoff,
The certificate only shows the date of the last vaccination, product and doses + date of the certificate.
I downloaded the French app and saved the certificates in their as France is our first destination early April.
Hopefully it will still be valid for a trip in September.

 

[xabialonso]

Hi, apologies if already answered, how long are the Swiss Passes valid for? We are travelling in late March and I read somewhere they may only be valid for 30 days?

Cheers,
Geoff

Mine came through last week and it has expiry of Oct 2022

 

[pn1]

I just jumped onto it as well, applied last night, hoping to hear back soon!

Mine came back today. All good.

 

[Duffa]

Update from Paris
Flew MEL Dubai CDG with Emirates
Arrived at MEL checkin with Australian Vaccine certificate, EU vaccine certificate and negative Covid RA test (done the night before at 9.30pm at departure area Qantas terminal in 20 minutes - lovely staff and very efficient). She looked at all 6 forms and nodded her approval. Nothing scanned.
Got to Dubai - no scans or document checks - straight to the lounge
Arrived CDG - handed over passport - 10 seconds later - stamped and on my way - no forms or Covid documents requested or checked
Taxi from CDG to Montparnasse (fixed prix 58 Euro - Uber 57-64 Euro estimate) No Covid check
Arrived at small boutique hotel - FINALLY got asked to produce EU documents which she scanned with a smartphone app. All good

 

[aaa99]

I applied for the Swiss certificate through the Geneva canton and got rejected.

"Reason for refusal : Pour des raisons de fraude, les réservations annulables gratuitement ne sont plus acceptées. Nous vous remercions de refaire une demande en fournissant un justificatif valide. (Due to recurrent fraud attempts, we no longer accept proof of stays which can be canceled for free. Please fill another form with a valid document)"

So I guess they do check. Since my travel isnt till April, I might wait a bit for options before booking a non-refundable hotel

 

[Lynda2475]

So I guess they do check. Since my travel isnt till April, I might wait a bit for options before booking a non-refundable hotel

I wonder if they are just checking in Geneva for the free option, and for the paid option in other cantons happy to take the $?

For anyone who has been in the UK recently, is there an app you need to attend hospitality venues etc?

 

[infoworks]

Update from Paris
Flew MEL Dubai CDG with Emirates
Arrived at MEL checkin with Australian Vaccine certificate, EU vaccine certificate and negative Covid RA test (done the night before at 9.30pm at departure area Qantas terminal in 20 minutes - lovely staff and very efficient). She looked at all 6 forms and nodded her approval. Nothing scanned.
Got to Dubai - no scans or document checks - straight to the lounge
Arrived CDG - handed over passport - 10 seconds later - stamped and on my way - no forms or Covid documents requested or checked
Taxi from CDG to Montparnasse (fixed prix 58 Euro - Uber 57-64 Euro estimate) No Covid check
Arrived at small boutique hotel - FINALLY got asked to produce EU documents which she scanned with a smartphone app. All good

Good news thanks. What were the 6 forms? I see the 2 vax and CRA test result.?

 

[Bryce]

Wow, interesting. I applied Saturday and had no trouble for my wife and I. Will need to apply for our daughter once second shot is done and passport renewal arrives. Might be interesting.