European Union's blueprint, outlined by Mr. de la Malène in a report, detailing the Commission's vision for the forthcoming years
In the ongoing discourse surrounding COVID-19 vaccination certificates, Steffen Augsberg, a constitutional law expert, has expressed the need for a tamper-proof digital certificate. This call comes in light of the summer of last year, as the Federal Ministry of Health has been grappling with the issue since at least May 2021.
Last year, the Ministry asked the Ethics Council to address the matter of an immunity certificate. However, it seems that the push for the development of a vaccination certificate has only gained momentum recently, with companies such as Deutsche Telekom expressing their intent to submit offers for its development.
The development of such a certificate could potentially lead to a constitutional obligation to lift restrictions on the freedoms of vaccinated individuals. This is based on the premise that if at-risk groups are vaccinated and the vaccination significantly reduces infectivity, it would be difficult to justify the restriction of the freedoms of the vaccinated.
A potential legal challenge from vaccinated individuals regarding restrictions is not a far-fetched scenario, as Augsberg expects such action. He further stated that as a society, we benefit from the vaccinated being able to return to public spaces, such as theaters and bars, without the unvaccinated being disadvantaged.
However, it's important to note that as of August 2025, Germany does not have a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate or widespread requirement for vaccination certificates for the public. A partial vaccine mandate was implemented in March 2022 for health workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities, but this mandate survived legal challenges and was limited in scope. Proposals to expand vaccine mandates to older age groups were rejected by the Bundestag.
In practice, COVID-19 vaccination certificates remain a tool primarily for specific settings like healthcare facilities or international travel, aligned with EU standards. The European Union continues to authorize updated COVID-19 vaccines and supports vaccination, but mandates and certificates in Germany are no longer enforced broadly.
In summary, vaccine certificates are not mandatory for the general public in Germany; limited mandates apply to healthcare workers only. Constitutional implications have been a significant factor in the debate, with partial mandates being legally justified, but broader mandates facing constitutional and political opposition. The focus in Germany currently remains on vaccination availability and monitoring vaccine effectiveness rather than on legal enforcement of certificates.
In the realm of health-and-wellness and other science, the debate surrounding COVID-19 vaccination certificates has been a contentious issue, with constitutional experts highlighting the need for tamper-proof digital certificates. A potential legal challenge from vaccinated individuals over restrictions could be a likely outcome, as these individuals may claim a constitutional right to enjoy their freedoms, given that vaccination significantly reduces infectivity and poses little risk to at-risk groups.
