Answers to frequently asked questions about covid certificates
Here we have collected answers to the most common questions about covid certificates.
What are the different types of covid certificates and what are the differences?
There are three types of covid certificates. If you have been vaccinated, a vaccination certificate is the easiest and most convenient. You can obtain your vaccination certificate at covidbevis.se.
If you have not been vaccinated, it is possible to take a COVID-19 test and obtain a test certificate if the test is negative. For those who have been ill with COVID-19, it is possible in special cases to obtain a recovery certificate.
I am not vaccinated, can I still travel?
If you are not vaccinated, you can use one of the other two covid certificates.
How long are the different covid certificates valid?
The vaccination certificate is valid for 365 days.
The validity period for the test certificate depends on which test you take and which country you are travelling to. Check the rules that apply in the country you are travelling to and the countries you pass through on the journey. You can find that information at Sweden Abroad.
The recovery certificate is valid for 180 days from the date you first tested positive for COVID-19.
Where do I show my covid certificate?
The Covid certificate must be shown, for example, at border crossings during ID checks. Have your covid certificate accessible throughout your trip.
Remember to check well in advance of your trip to determine which rules apply for the country you are travelling to. Download the app UD Resklar to get up-to-date information about your destination. The embassies also have current travel information on Sweden Abroad.
In which countries is the covid certificate valid?
The covid certificate is valid for travel to countries within the EU, as well as a number of other countries in Europe and other parts of the world.
List of countries where covid certificates are valid.
Check what applies at your destination. You can find this information at Sweden Abroad.
Do I need to have a digital mailbox in order to receive my covid certificate?
No, it is not a requirement to have a digital mailbox, but it is convenient and secure and works well as a place to store your certificate. You can also save and print your covid certificate directly from your device.
What should I do if doses are missing from my vaccination certificate?
Please note that your vaccination certificate is NOT automatically updated with the number of doses when it is in your digital mailbox (e.g. Kivra, Billo or Min myndighetspost). You need to obtain a new certificate every time you receive a new dose.
When the information about your vaccination appears in the covid certificate, it says either:
"Dose 1 of 2" or
"Dose 2 of 2" or
"Dose 3 of 3" or
"Dose 4 of 4" or
"Dose 5 of 5"
If your doses are not correct:
1. Check that at least seven days have passed since you were vaccinated.
2. Download a new certificate at Covidbevis.se if it has been 24 hours since you last downloaded a certificate.
3. Corrections are continuously made in the system – it can be good to wait a few more days and try again if you are missing doses in your covid certificate.
4. If you tried the step above and you still see the same information on the certificate, you can also try using another device; try accessing the certificate on a computer if you previously accessed it on your mobile or vice versa. (The old vaccination certificate may remain on the device.)
5. If you have obtained a vaccination certificate after your first dose and had it sent to your digital mailbox, you need to download a new vaccination certificate at Covidbevis.se after your second dose.
The vaccination certificate is not automatically updated when it is in your digital mailbox (e.g. Kivra, Billo or Min myndighetspost).
6. If you have completed all of the steps above and your vaccination certificate is still incorrect and you will be travelling soon, e-mail our customer service at covidbevis@ehalsomyndigheten.se. State your name, telephone number, date of vaccination and in which region you were vaccinated.
There are several possible reasons why you are not seeing all of your doses. The most common reason that doses may be missing is that the information has not had time to be transferred from the healthcare provider to the National Vaccination Register, where the information is then obtained for your vaccination certificate. It takes a maximum of seven days for the vaccine doses to be reported to the National Vaccination Register.
The regions are responsible for registering vaccinations in the National Vaccination Register, where the information is accessed for vaccination certificates. Each region in turn uses many different vaccination providers.
If more than seven days have passed and a dose is still missing from your covid certificate, contact the Swedish e-Health Agency's customer service at covidbevis@ehalsomyndigheten.se
If there is an error in the registration of your vaccination, we will guide you through how you can get help to rectify this in your region.
Why does my vaccination certificate only show one vaccination date?
The vaccination certificate shows whether you have received one, two, three or four doses. For example, it says "Dose 2 of 2", if you have received two doses. If you have received three doses, it says "Dose 3 of 3", and if you have received four doses, it says "Dose 4 of 4".
However, only one date is shown. It is under the heading "Date of last vaccination". Please note that it is only the most recent date of vaccination that is shown.
How do I obtain or renew a vaccination certificate?
You do not automatically receive a vaccination certificate after your vaccination, you always need to request a certificate yourself. The certificate is also not automatically updated after you receive additional vaccine doses.
You can obtain a vaccination certificate by going to www.covidbevis.se and following the instructions there. The same applies if you need to obtain a new certificate because your current certificate has expired or is about to expire.
Can people who do not have a Swedish personal identity number get a vaccination certificate?
If you have been vaccinated in Sweden, have a coordination number and do not have a registered address, you must use the form Ordering a vaccination certificate – for those who do not have a registered address in Sweden.
The certificate is sent to an agent, and you will receive a message when you can pick up the letter.
If you have a registered address, you must use the form Ordering a vaccination certificate.
If you have been vaccinated in Sweden and do not have a personal identity number or coordination number, your vaccinations were registered on a reserve number. You need to contact the health care providers in your region via 1177.se to get a vaccination certificate.
If your vaccination was registered on a reserve number
If you have a Swedish personal identity number but your vaccination was registered on a reserve number or coordination number, you can contact the vaccine provider and ask them to register the vaccination on your personal identity number instead.
I have received one or more vaccine doses in another country and will take my next dose in Sweden. Will I be able to get a valid vaccination certificate?
If you have received your vaccination in another country and are due to receive a booster in Sweden, the recommendation is that you take it in Sweden.
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Bring all of the documentation for your previous vaccinations from another country and present them when you get your booster. The healthcare provider who will be administering the vaccination will then be able to assess which dose you should receive and register the correct dose in the medical records system and in the National Vaccination Register.
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After seven days, you can obtain your vaccination certificate at www.covidbevis.se if you have a Swedish personal identity number and e-identification.
If you do not have an e-identification, you can contact a pharmacy and get help to print your vaccination certificate.
If you have a coordination number, you need to request a vaccination certificate by completing and submitting the form Ordering a vaccination certificate .
If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number or coordination number and your vaccination has been registered on a reserve number, you need to contact the healthcare provider via 1177.se
If the care provider cannot report your booster with the correct dose number, you can contact the Swedish e-Health Agency's customer service.
I am a Swedish citizen, but I was vaccinated outside the EU/EEA, how can I get a Swedish vaccination certificate?
If you have been vaccinated in a country outside the EU/EEA, you can contact one of the National Government Service Centre’s selected offices. They check documentation for vaccinations received in third countries.
Keep in mind that several conditions must be met.
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You must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine that is approved in the EU or a vaccine that is on the WHO's Emergency Use Listing for vaccines.
EU-approved vaccines (Swedish Medical Products Agency's website)
WHO’s Emergency Use Listing for vaccines (WHO website)
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You must have received the last vaccination in a series in a third country and be able to present proof of your identity and original documents for the vaccinations you have received.
In order to get a Swedish vaccination certificate, you need to be registered in Sweden and have a digital mailbox that can receive official mail.
Conditions for getting help with vaccination certificates at the National Government Service Centre
Can I go to any of the National Government Service Centre offices that issue vaccination certificates for Swedes who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in a country outside the EU/EEA?
Yes, you can apply for a vaccination certificate at any of the six offices. It does not matter where you are registered as long as you are registered in Sweden.
I have been vaccinated in another country and am wondering if my doses are registered in Sweden?
Vaccination doses that you have received in another country cannot be registered in the National Vaccination Register in Sweden. However, you can get a vaccination certificate issued based on your vaccination documentation, provided you meet certain requirements that depend on the country in which you were vaccinated.
How soon after being vaccinated can I get my vaccination certificate?
The vaccination must be reported in the National Vaccination Register (NVR) first. It can therefore take about seven days after your vaccination before you can receive your vaccination certificate.
Remember that in some cases you might receive your vaccination certificate before it can be used to enter another country. Some countries require that 14 days have passed after the last dose of a vaccination for the certificate to be valid. You therefore need to check the rules in the country you are travelling to.
Check ahead of time to see what applies at your destination; see the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ app Resklar and the website Sweden Abroad.
How do I save my vaccination certificate after I have accessed it at Covidbevis.se?
If you have a digital mailbox, your test certificate will be sent there automatically.
You can also save your certificate using our service. Do the following:
If you have accessed/downloaded a vaccination certificate on your mobile:
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You can send the certificate to your computer (for example via email) and print it from your computer, or send it via SMS.
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You can take a screenshot and save the certificate as an image in your mobile.
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You can see it in your downloaded files under "Vaccinationsbevis_YYYYMMDD” ("Vaccination certificate_YYYYMMDD)”.
If you have accessed/downloaded a vaccination certificate on your computer:
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You can take a screenshot.
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You can see it in your downloaded files under "Vaccinationsbevis_YYYYMMDD” ("Vaccination certificate_YYYYMMDD") and then print the certificate from there.
You can save your certificate and then find it under downloaded files when you need it.
Do I need to get a booster to be able to travel?
Once you have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses, your vaccination is valid for 270 days. The reason for this is that the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time and a booster is needed. Children and young people under the age of 18 are not covered by the 270-day rule. This is based on an EU level decision.
Once you have received your booster, you need to renew your vaccination certificate if you want to use it when travelling. Go to www.covidbevis.se
Who can get a vaccination certificate at a pharmacy?
If you do not have an e-identification, but have a Swedish personal identity number/immunity number and have been vaccinated in Sweden, you can contact a pharmacy to get a vaccination certificate.
If you want to get your vaccination certificate at a pharmacy, you must state your personal identity number and be able to verify your identity with an ID document approved in Sweden.
Can all pharmacies in Sweden print a vaccination certificate for me?
Yes, all physical pharmacies in Sweden (1,400) can print your certificate.
You can find a pharmacy on the Swedish Pharmacy Association’s website.
What do I do if the pharmacy staff say that I cannot get a vaccination certificate?
There are several possible reasons for this. Maybe not enough time has passed since your vaccination, so the doses have not had time to be reported to the National Vaccination Register.
Maybe your vaccinations have not been registered to your personal identity number but have been registered to a so-called reserve number – in this case, you should contact the health care provider in your region, who can provide a vaccination certificate. At www.1177.se , you will find information on vaccination certificates for those who have had their vaccinations registered with a reserve number.
Your vaccinations may have been registered on a coordination number. In this case, you can order a vaccination certificate via the form Ordering a vaccination certificate. If you do not have a registered address, you should use the form Ordering a vaccination certificate – for those who do not have a registered address in Sweden. You will then receive the certificate, which will be sent by registered mail to the address you have provided.
Perhaps you have been vaccinated outside of Sweden – if you have been vaccinated in one of the countries that are linked to the EU's system for digital covid certificates, you can request a certificate from that country. Here is a list of all of the countries included in the system.
If you have been vaccinated in a country outside the EU/EEA, but have a registered address in Sweden and a digital mailbox, you can contact the National Government Service Centre, which can verify your vaccination documents and ensure that you receive a vaccination certificate, which is issued by Swedish e-Health Agency.
Which tests are approved for test certificates?
NAAT tests, RT-PCR tests and antigen tests (so-called rapid tests) that meet EU requirements, are approved for test certificates. Your health care provider and the Swedish e-Health Agency are aware of which tests meet the requirements for test certificates.
For tests to be valid for test certificates, they must be performed by health care professionals or qualified testing personnel. Self-tests and self-sample collection are not valid. The staff member must physically perform the test.
Where do I go to take the test for a test certificate?
Only private health care providers who perform tests for COVID-19 are connected to the Covidbevis service. The tests that are performed in the normal health care system are used to detect active COVID-19 infection in order to prevent the spread of infection. Getting tested to determine whether you are healthy to travel is not considered a normal health care need.
List of private health care providers who are linked to the Covidbevis service
How long before my departure date should I get tested?
Different countries have different requirements. The validity period is generally only a few days (usually 48 or 72 hours). Before you travel, you need to find out what applies to your destination and the countries you pass through along the way. Keep in mind that the validity period is counted from the date and time you took the test, not from the date you receive the result or the date the test certificate is issued.
Who is the recovery certificate for?
A recovery certificate is intended for people who are not vaccinated.
For most people, it is easier and faster to get a vaccination certificate or a test certificate instead of a recovery certificate.
If you are vaccinated against COVID-19, you can obtain your vaccination certificate at covidbevis.se . Then you do not need a recovery certificate.