Green Key is an international sustainability certification programme for tourism establishments. Since 1994, it has supported the tourism sector in improving environmental performance and promoting more responsible and sustainable operations.

The programme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) together with its national member organisations. Green Key is open to a wide range of tourism businesses: hotels and hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and cafés, and attractions (museums, visitor and interpretation centres and amusement parks).

Green Key provides a structured framework to help establishments manage and improve their sustainability practices, including environmental, social, and operational aspects. Conformity with the Green Key requirements is assessed through documentation and on-site audits carried out by independent third-party auditors. The final certification decision is taken by an independent Certification Body within the certification system.

The Green Key certification scheme is currently undergoing an approval process with DANAK, the Danish Accreditation Body, member of the International Accreditation Forum.

Once certified, establishments may communicate their Green Key certification during its validity period. For guests, the Green Key certificate indicates that the establishment has been assessed against defined sustainability criteria and is working to improve its environmental and social performance.”

Reef Conservation is the National Operator of Green Key in the Republic of Mauritius.

The Green Key programme webpage Green Key — Policies 2026-2031 provides access to the following Green Key policies.

Green Key Certification Process As From October 2026

1. Submit the application documents
   Green Key Management reviews the eligibility of the establishment and eligible establishment received details about the required documentation and access to the application forms. The establishment must complete the online application form, submit the required supporting documents, sign and return the certification agreement and pay the participation fee.
2. On-site certification audit
   Once application is reviewed, a third-party auditor is assigned to conduct an on-site certification audit. The auditor will directly contact the establishment to schedule the date and require its payment. The auditor will receive the application documents from Green Key Management before the on-site audit.
3. Certification decision
   An independent entity (Certification Body) reviews the audit report and determines whether the establishment fully conforms with the required Green Key criteria. The Green Key Management will inform the establishment of the outcome of this review. If the certification is granted, Green Key Management issues a certificate valid for two years.
4. On-going conformity during the certification period
   During the certification period, the establishment must continuously conform with Green Key requirements. Between 8–14 months after certification, the establishment must undergo surveillance activities. This includes providing updated documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with selected Green Key criteria identified by Green Key Management. If the surveillance activities reveal non-conformities, the establishment must correct the issues, and the certification may remain suspended until compliance is restored. Certified establishments must pay the Annual Green Key Levy to maintain certification.
5. Renewal of certification
   Approximately 3–6 months before the certificate expires, the Green Key management contacts the establishment to encourage renewal. To renew certification, establishments must again complete the Application, Audit and Certification Decision.

Certified establishment’s guests, staff and other stakeholders can provide feedback about the establishment’s conformity Green Key certification via the Green Key contact form.

Certified sites can also give feedback regarding the performance of the Green Key staff, as well as the performance of the auditors and decision makers used in the Green Key programme by accessing the same link.

For more information, see Green Key’s policy for complaint and appeals

The invoice covering the Annual Green Key Levy is in general sent to the establishment after first submission of the application form and supplementary documents (including certification agreement). The Annual Green Key Levy must be paid before the further handing of the application documents. During the certification period, the Annual Green Key Levy must be paid in connection with the surveillance activities.

Please note that the Annual Green Key Levy is non-refundable, including in cases of certification not achieved, and in cases of suspension, withdrawal, or termination of certification.

2. Annual Certification Body Fee

The Certification Body (in charge of the certification review and decisions) will charge the establishments directly an Annual Certification Body Fee. The Annual Certification Body Fee must be paid for the establishments ahead of the certification decision. During the certification period, the Annual Certification Body Fee must be paid in connection with the surveillance activities.

Please note that the Annual Certification Body Fee is non-refundable, including in cases of certification not achieved, and in cases of suspension, withdrawal, or termination of certification.

The Annual Certification Body Fee for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2027 will amount to:

• €130.90 for establishments in the categories hotels, hostels, campsites, holiday parks and conference centres.
• €75.00 for establishments in the categories small accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

3. Auditor Costs

In connection with the Annual Certification Body Fee charge ahead of certification, this invoice will also include the auditor costs. The auditor costs are therefore charged every second year and will depend on the hourly cost of the assigned auditor and the audit duration. The audit duration depends on the type of establishment and number of full-time staff at the establishment. The total audit duration includes on-site audit time, preparation ahead of the on-site audit, reporting after the on-site audit and follow-up in case of non-conformities.

Liability Notice:

When establishments are certified with Green Key, it is because these establishments have demonstrated to third-party auditors that they conform with the Green Key criteria at the time of the audit based on a representative sample of evidence. The Green Key certification is subsequently confirmed by an independent Certification Body.

During the certification period, the establishments accept full responsibility to ensure continued conformity with the Green Key requirements.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), its officers, members, or partners do not have any responsibility to any person in the event of non-conformities with the Green Key criteria in a certified establishment. FEE excludes liability for all such matters to the fullest extent permitted by law.