Know Your Rights: Question one
Know your rights: EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC)
I want to travel to the EU with my family this summer. How can I get my Digital COVID Certificate?
Ireland has introduced the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel
from within the EU and EEA (the EU, plus Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and
Switzerland).
The DCC provides proof that you have been fully vaccinated with one of the EU
approved vaccines or you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months or
you have received a negative COVID-19 test result immediately before travel.
The Digital COVID Certificate comes as a QR code on your smartphone, by email
or in paper format.
If you plan to travel abroad, you should check the testing and quarantining requirements of the country (https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/) you are travelling to.
There are 4 different types of DCC. If you have been vaccinated in Ireland your DCC will be sent to you automatically.
| Type of DCC | Who is it for? | How do you get it? |
| DCC based on vaccination | Fully vaccinated people who got their vaccination in Ireland |
By email (if the HSE has
your email
address) or by post |
| DCC based on recovery |
People who
had a recent positive COVID-19 test You can request the DCC 11 days after your positive test You must have had the positive test within the past 6 months |
Request it by calling
1800 807 008 or by completing
an online form
(https://irishcovidcertportal.org/ |
| DCC based on negative RT-PCR test |
People who
get a negative RT-PCR result at a private testing service Test must be taken up to 72 hours before travel | From the private testing facility |
| DCC based on negative antigen test | People who get a negative antigen test at a private testing service* | From the private testing facility. |
*Antigen testing is not accepted for travel to Ireland. You should check ReOpen EU (https://reopen.europa.eu/en/) to check if it is accepted in the country you are travelling to.
DCCs based on vaccination are being sent out by email or post. If you
don’t get yours in the coming weeks, you can call the free Digital COVID
Certificate emergency helpline on 1800 807 008. You can phone +353 76888 5513
from outside Ireland.
You can request the certificate based on recovery from the helpline or by completing an online form (https://irishcovidcertportal.org/). If you
submit a form online, you will get your certificate by email within 5 days.
Know Your Rights: Question 2
Know your rights: Flight and hotel cancellation
I have booked my own flight and hotel online. If I have to cancel what will happen to my money?
If you have planned a holiday where you booked the flights and hotel individually, you do not have the same level of protection as with a package holiday.
Your rights to cancel your flight and accommodation will be set out in
the terms and conditions of the contract.
Cancelling your flight
If you have to cancel your flight or decide not to fly, you may lose
the money you paid if the flight has not been cancelled by the airline or if
you have not booked it as part of a package holiday.
If you booked the flight yourself you have no automatic right to re-routing or
a refund. However, if you have to cancel because of COVID-19, you should
contact the airline. Some airlines may be willing to offer you other
alternatives like a voucher or credit note, or allow you to rebook your flight
for a later date.
Cancelling your accommodation
Check the terms and conditions carefully to see what your rights
about cancellation and refund options. You should contact the booking site if
you need to cancel. In general, if you booked with a booking website, your
contract is with the hotel and not the booking website. You may need to go to
the hotel directly to ask for a refund. If you have a non-refundable hotel
booking, it may be difficult to get your money back if you have to cancel.
Travel insurance
If you have taken out travel insurance to cover your holiday, check
to see if flight and accommodation cancellations are covered. If you are not
sure, contact your travel insurance provider directly to see if you can claim
on your policy.
You can read more about travel during COVID-19 and your consumer rights on
citizensinformation.ie
Citizens Information Service
During the COVID-19 pandemic you can contact your local Citizens Information Centre:
• Bray CIC on 0761 07 6780 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
• Email Bray CIC at bray@citinfo.ie – anytime
A limited number of appointments are being made in Bray Citizens Information Centre
You can also get information and advice from:
The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
