I have been looking at an old thread (5 years old) where it was discussed whether the certificate had to be within 6 months of the date of the visa application or the date of travel. The concensus then was that the visa application had to be made within 6 months of the date of the certificate but could travel after the 6 months without a problem. Does anyone know whether that still holds true now or have things changed?

If you are asking about the UK; I have no knowledge of any change.