The borders of the European Union in the context of the States’ response to the pandemic threat and the legal framework for the actions taken

Abstract

The article aims to discuss the institutional and legal solutions that have emerged in connection with the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerning the rules of crossing internal borders in the EU+ area. The author, relying on a descriptive and empirical method, emphasizes that the development of the pandemic means that a solution must be found to preserve the freedom of movement in the EU+ area. Therefore, an important direction in this context is the fact that, in the conditions of increasing prevalence and development of vaccination in the European Union and the Schengen area, it was possible to establish and implement a common framework for issuing, verifying and mutual recognition of interoperable certificates of vaccination, test results and recovery in connection with COVID-19. This allowed for the introduction and issuing of EU digital certificates (EU Covid Certificate), commonly referred to as a „covid passport”.