How to use the EU Digital COVID Certificate Checker

This checker tool can be used to check the validity of an EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Hold the QR code on the Digital COVID Certificate in front of the scanner like in the image above. You can see an image of a QR code below.

If the certificate was sent by email, it can be loaded onto the COVID Tracker app - then just hold it in front of the scanner.

If you want to check a paper copy of your certificate, place the certificate in front of your device. Open the checker and scan the QR code on the certificate.

Use brighter lighting

Your phone or tablet will not use the flash when scanning a QR code, so bright lighting is important. Turn on more lights or open the window shades and try scanning the code again.

Put it on a plain background

Patterns on a tablecloth, rug or wall can sometimes confuse your camera’s auto-focus feature and prevent the code from scanning. If your certificate is on a patterned background, try moving it to a plain surface and re-scanning the QR code.

Don’t hold it in your hand

Put your certificate on a counter, table or other solid object. If it’s shaking too much, your phone’s camera can have trouble focusing. You can also try resting your elbows on the table to steady your phone.

Don’t tilt your phone

Your phone’s camera may have trouble scanning the code if it’s tilted at an angle. Make sure it’s level with the surface that the QR code is printed on.

Keep your distance

If you’re holding your phone too close or too far away, it won’t scan the QR code. Try holding your phone about a foot away and slowly moving it towards the QR code.

Some phone cameras can’t focus as well as others at close distances, so you may have to hold your phone a bit further away. Try holding your phone so the QR code is inside the red box and move it slowly away.

Watch your shadow

If you’ve already made the lighting brighter but the QR code still isn’t scanning, make sure a shadow isn’t falling on the QR code. This can often happen when you move your phone close to scan the QR code.

Clean the lens

Your phone’s lens can pick up a lot of dust and smudges that can affect image clarity, so give it a wipe with a soft cloth to clean it off.

If the above screen (with a green tick) is shown when the certificate is scanned - this means it is a valid certificate which can be used for international travel and for indoor dining in Ireland.

If the above screen (with a red cross) is shown with a message saying that it is invalid for indoor use - this means you have a certificate based on a RT-PCR or antigen test which can be used for international travel only. It cannot be used for indoor dining in Ireland.

The checker will open once you click the button below.

You can leave technical feedback on how the checker works by clicking on on the 'Leave feedback' link below. This will help us to improve the checker.

Please state:

• the device you have tested it on
• whether it was a paper or digital certificate
• what type of certificate you tested (proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, proof of RT-PCR/antigen test)

Do not include any personal details in your feedback. We will not respond to individual issues but we will take the technical feedback on board to improve the service for everybody.