COVID-19 Recovery Certificate

A COVID-19 Recovery Certificate can be used in any situation where you have been asked to show proof that you have recently tested positive and recovered from COVID-19. The main reasons are for:

• returning to work
• attending an event, such as a concert
• travelling internationally

Before you order a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate, you must check with the relevant venue, airline or destination, that they accept this method. You should do this before you make plans or apply for a certificate: It is within their rights to refuse entry if they do not accept COVID-19 Recovery Certificates. To make sure you are eligible for a certificate, read on to find out more.

A COVID-19 Recovery Certificate can be used as proof that you have recovered from COVID-19 and no longer pose a risk to others. It can be used instead of showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate is digital, which means it can be accessed on your phone or other electronic device. Should you prefer, your certificate can also be printed.

If you have successfully recovered from COVID-19 and no longer have symptoms, a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate can be used if you are still testing positive. This shows that you are unlikely to still have the virus as long as you don’t have symptoms.

You can choose between 2 COVID-19 Recovery Certificates:

Express certificate

Get your express certificate within 4* hours when you order an express certificate on Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm or Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 1pm. If you order outside of these timeframes, your certificate will be available by 11am the next day.

* This time frame is based on you providing all the information we need for our doctors to process the certificate quickly. If your certificate is approved but it takes longer than 4 hours, we will refund the difference between the price of the express certificate and the standard certificate. To find out more, visit our terms and conditions page.

Standard certificate

We aim to deliver your standard certificate within 24 hours of ordering.

You can order your COVID-19 Recovery Certificate online, through your patient account. This process is quick and easy: Simply provide evidence of your COVID-19 positive test result and complete a brief questionnaire. Our doctors will then be sent this for approval. Make sure you have sent everything we have asked for, as this will help our doctors to process your certificate within the given time frame.

Once your information has been processed by a doctor, your certificate can be issued. Our certificates are always sent to your chosen email, via Healthmail. This is a secure platform that can only be accessed by you.

To get a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate, you will need to create an online account with ZAVA, if you do not already have one. You must also:

• have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 11 to 180 days and be able to show proof of this
• be symptom free for at least 72 hours before applying

Yes, children are able to get a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate if a parent or guardian applies for it. There is no age limit on this but you will be required to place a separate order for each child.

A 'Proof of Recovery Certificate' is the same as our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate. They may have different names depending on your destination – but they are both official documents that can be used as proof that you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have now recovered. They are usually valid for 3-6 months after a positive test result.

Our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate will show that you have successfully recovered from COVID-19. It will also state that you are no longer likely to be infectious and are fit to travel. Please note this is only for COVID-19 and not for other health conditions.

Your certificate will include the following:

• name
• date of birth
• passport number
• the date you were assessed by our doctors for the certificate
• the start and end date that you had COVID-19 symptoms, if applicable
• verification that you have had no COVID-19 symptoms within the last 72 hours
• verification that you have since recovered from COVID-19 and it has been at least 11 days since your result
• verification that we have received valid evidence of your positive result, taken on the test date you provided
• verification that you are not required to self isolate

This information will be collected when you complete your online questionnaire when ordering and is verified by a doctor.

You can use any official COVID-19 test to show proof of infection. This means you can show a RT-PCR, a PCR, or a LFT test. If you have taken a lateral flow test at home, you must have reported this through the government website and received a confirmation from the HSE of your positive result.

You may also be able to show:

• a certificate of a positive test if you used a private service
• a notification of your positive result from your ZAVA account, if you ordered your test through our website
• a screenshot or photograph of an official HSE email confirming your positive test result

For us to be able to accept these, the document must clearly show your name and other personal identifiers. The test date must be clear and match the date that you provided to us through your questionnaire. You should also be able to see the test result clearly.

You can get your COVID-19 Recovery Certificate if you have tested positive for COVID-19 over 11 days ago, but no longer than 180 days ago. You must not have experienced symptoms for 72 hours. ZAVA can get your Recovery Certificate to you within 4 hours if you choose the express option.

Yes, the most popular use of our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate is for those who are still testing positive but are free from symptoms and fully recovered. You can still test positive for COVID-19 for months after having the virus (though not with lateral flow tests). This could stop you from being able to travel or attend events that ask for a negative result.

When you complete your questionnaire, this will include a medical assessment, to show that you no longer have symptoms or are a risk to others. This is 100% online, but our doctors may contact you if they need more information.

You may test positive on PCR for COVID-19 for a few weeks or months after having the virus. This does not mean you are infectious or can pass the virus onto others. If you need a negative test for an event or to travel, our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate provides you with a solution.

Studies have shown that people who tested positive for COVID-19 have some immunity for at least 5 months. You can still carry the virus and spread it to others during this time, even if you are not affected by it yourself.

Every destination has its own guidelines regarding immunity after testing positive for COVID-19. The time periods for COVID immunity can vary, so check this before ordering your certificate or travelling.

You must wait 11 days before applying for your certificate. This is either 11 days after you tested positive or 11 days after you showed symptoms, whichever is first. You have to be free of symptoms for 72 hours before applying. After testing positive, you can apply for a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate for up to 180 days.

For example, if you tested positive on the 10th of February, wait until the 22nd of February to avoid any issues.

You will not be able to apply for a certificate if you:

• still have COVID-19 symptoms
• cannot provide evidence of your positive test result within the last 180 days (see above for proof that is accepted by ZAVA)
• have been advised by the government to shield as you are clinically vulnerable

You will receive your COVID-19 Recovery Certificate to your chosen email address. You can then access it with your device or print a hard copy. This may be a better option if you are travelling somewhere with poor Wifi, or you are worried that your phone battery may run out.

When completing an online booking, you can simply upload your certificate from your preferred device.

You may be eligible for a refund on your COVID-19 Recovery Certificate if you cannot use it. See below for more details.

If your certificate is not accepted

It is your responsibility to check that a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate is accepted for the reason you require it. If you find out that you cannot use a certificate after ordering, contact our Customer Support team straight away, through your online account. We may be able to give you a refund if your order has not been prepared yet. If so, it can take 2 to 3 working days for this to be processed.

If your Recovery Certificate has already been issued, we cannot offer a refund. If you are worried, read the latest guidelines from the venue or area of travel before purchasing a certificate.

If you are not eligible

When a doctor reviews your order, they will check that you meet the criteria to be eligible for a certificate. If you are not, we will process your refund, which may take 2-3 working days. To avoid this happening, read the FAQs on this page and make sure you have the correct proof ready to upload.

Yes, once you have recovered from COVID-19 you can travel. When travelling, make sure you check the latest travel guidance for your chosen country, as it may be different to Ireland. Keep up to date with any changes, such as if a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate is accepted instead of a test.

Yes, our COVID-19 Recovery Certificate can be used for travel, as long as they are accepted by your chosen airline and destination. Check the guidance a few days before you go, as this could change and you may have to follow additional steps to travel.

Your COVID-19 Recovery Certificate from ZAVA is authentic and includes a QR code, which can be scanned by the local authority, border agents and airline staff. This can be found in the top right corner of your certificate. Read these FAQs to find out more about the certificate, so you can use it with confidence.

You can scan the QR code with any device that is able to read QR codes, such as a tablet or phone. This will take you to an authentication page. Please note that the QR code is not an EU COVID Pass QR Code. If you are visiting somewhere with EU Digital Covid Pass Readers, this will not read the code.

If you have any other questions about your certificate, our Customer Support team can help. Send a message through your online account. You can also call the team on +353 21 206 3396 from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

For all COVID-19 related enquiries, you can also email covidtraveltesting@zavamed.com.

Your certificate will only be valid for as long as it fits the criteria of your destination. For example, some countries or events will accept a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate for up to 90 days after testing positive, which means you can use your certificate for up to 90 days. After this, you will need a negative test.

Some destinations accept COVID-19 Recovery Certificates for up to 180 days from the positive test date. You can use your certificate as many times as you need, as long as it is valid.

Every country has different travel requirements for COVID-19. It is best to check the latest travel guidance on the official government website, to make sure the country you are travelling to will accept your certificate.

As we continue to learn about COVID-19, entry requirements may change for airlines and countries at any time. Not all airlines accept COVID-19 Recovery Certificates, although some do. Check with your airline before travel and before ordering a certificate through our service.

If you cannot find the information online, give the airline a call.

Each country in Europe has its own rules regarding travel and COVID-19 requirements, so you must check whether your travel destination will accept a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate.

If you are travelling within the EU, you might want to apply for an EU Digital COVID Certificate instead.

As of December 2021, COVID-19 Recovery Certificates are valid for entry to the USA for up to 90 days. Remember that entry requirements change regularly, so it is your responsibility to check you can use your certificate before you travel.

You can find more information about USA guidelines on the government website.