Italy's 'green pass' app set to recognise UK NHS vaccinations 'as soon as possible'
The Italian authorities have updated the VerificaC19 app to read UK vaccination certificates, according to a software fix on its developer platform - with reports of it already working for some British tourists in Italy.
Although Italy said it would accept health certificates from several non-EU countries, including the UK, many British travellers have found that they've been refused entry to Italy's sites and venues.
The Italian government made its 'green pass' a requirement to enter indoor restaurants, museums, concert venues, gyms, spas, theme parks and many other cultural sites across the country from August 6th.
Medical proof of vaccination against Covid-19 issued in the UK should be accepted for green pass purposes throughout Italy, according to a recent health ministry ordinance - along with other EU countries, Canada, Israel, Japan and the US.
Q&A: Your questions answered about Italy’s new Covid health pass
But after many UK tourists reported they were turned away from Italy's restaurants and public sites on presenting their health certificate, an update on UK-generated QR codes was revealed on Italy's digital green certificate software development site.
An Italian computer professor in the UK tweeted that Italy's VerificaC19 app had gone through updates based on feedback, in order to read the QR codes created by the NHS Covid health certificates.
https://twitter.com/LeoImpett/status/1424674575166681091
Although no official announcement has yet been made and the developers are still to make final approvals "in order to allow VerificaC19 to verify NHS Covid Pass as soon as possible", some readers have contacted The Local to say that it's already working for them.
Olivia Wybraniec reported that the app recognised her NHS health certificate and said she is "pleased" she won't have to negotiate for entry into Italy's sites and venues now.
Others also confirmed the app is now reading their QR codes following their second vaccination dose.
https://twitter.com/fergzlfc/status/1425754528733859841
It seems that continuing technical difficulties can be resolved by Italian businesses updating their VerificaC19 app.
Ross Salamone was disappointed when his QR code couldn't be read, but then had success when the restaurant he visited downloaded the latest update.
https://twitter.com/SalamoneRoss/status/1425804481359396873
Impett advised that the latest version - 1.1.0 - will work "shortly" after the second vaccination is recorded.
https://twitter.com/LeoImpett/status/1425766026659176448
Other readers have contacted The Local to say that in the absence of the app working, they were simply allowed in to the restaurant or venue anyway and were asked to present their documents if an official turned up.
But as businesses risk fines of up to 1,000 euros if they are found not to be enforcing the rules, many sites and venues may seek to apply the rules much more stringently than this.
If you want to check beforehand that your NHS-generated QR code will be read, download the free government app VerificaC19 and select ‘Avvia scansione’ (‘Start scan’) to check your QR code.
If it’s accepted, you’ll see a green tick with the message ‘Certificazione valida‘ (‘Certificate valid’), alongside your name and date of birth.
That’s exactly what businesses and venues scanning your certificate in Italy will see too - for both digital and paper formats of your health certificate. They may also ask for a form of ID to cross-check.
Find the latest updates in our health pass news section and further details on the Italian government’s official Green Pass website (currently only available in Italian).
See Also
Although Italy said it would accept health certificates from several non-EU countries, including the UK, many British travellers have found that they've been refused entry to Italy's sites and venues.
The Italian government made its 'green pass' a requirement to enter indoor restaurants, museums, concert venues, gyms, spas, theme parks and many other cultural sites across the country from August 6th.
Medical proof of vaccination against Covid-19 issued in the UK should be accepted for green pass purposes throughout Italy, according to a recent health ministry ordinance - along with other EU countries, Canada, Israel, Japan and the US.
Q&A: Your questions answered about Italy’s new Covid health pass
But after many UK tourists reported they were turned away from Italy's restaurants and public sites on presenting their health certificate, an update on UK-generated QR codes was revealed on Italy's digital green certificate software development site.
An Italian computer professor in the UK tweeted that Italy's VerificaC19 app had gone through updates based on feedback, in order to read the QR codes created by the NHS Covid health certificates.
https://twitter.com/LeoImpett/status/1424674575166681091
Although no official announcement has yet been made and the developers are still to make final approvals "in order to allow VerificaC19 to verify NHS Covid Pass as soon as possible", some readers have contacted The Local to say that it's already working for them.
Olivia Wybraniec reported that the app recognised her NHS health certificate and said she is "pleased" she won't have to negotiate for entry into Italy's sites and venues now.
Others also confirmed the app is now reading their QR codes following their second vaccination dose.
https://twitter.com/fergzlfc/status/1425754528733859841
It seems that continuing technical difficulties can be resolved by Italian businesses updating their VerificaC19 app.
Ross Salamone was disappointed when his QR code couldn't be read, but then had success when the restaurant he visited downloaded the latest update.
https://twitter.com/SalamoneRoss/status/1425804481359396873
Impett advised that the latest version - 1.1.0 - will work "shortly" after the second vaccination is recorded.
https://twitter.com/LeoImpett/status/1425766026659176448
Other readers have contacted The Local to say that in the absence of the app working, they were simply allowed in to the restaurant or venue anyway and were asked to present their documents if an official turned up.
But as businesses risk fines of up to 1,000 euros if they are found not to be enforcing the rules, many sites and venues may seek to apply the rules much more stringently than this.
If you want to check beforehand that your NHS-generated QR code will be read, download the free government app VerificaC19 and select ‘Avvia scansione’ (‘Start scan’) to check your QR code.
If it’s accepted, you’ll see a green tick with the message ‘Certificazione valida‘ (‘Certificate valid’), alongside your name and date of birth.
That’s exactly what businesses and venues scanning your certificate in Italy will see too - for both digital and paper formats of your health certificate. They may also ask for a form of ID to cross-check.
Find the latest updates in our health pass news section and further details on the Italian government’s official Green Pass website (currently only available in Italian).
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