COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in France (23 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• A classification of countries according to health risks has been implemented, and specific procedures apply to travel, depending on the country of origin or destination. There are three categories of countries, “Green,” “Orange”, and “Red.” The list of countries can be found here,
  and here.

• Vaccinated travellers from the “green” list countries are allowed to enter without any restrictions. More information can be found here.

• Vaccinated travellers from the “orange” list countries are allowed to enter without proof of compelling reasons. Unvaccinated travellers are allowed to enter with proof of “compelling reasons” for travel. More information can be found here.

• Unvaccinated travellers from the “red” list countries are only allowed to enter if they have pressing grounds for travel. However, vaccinated travellers from the “red list” countries are allowed to enter without proof of compelling reasons. More information can be found here.

• All unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers from the UK will only be allowed to enter France for essential purposes.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transiting through France is allowed. However, only direct transit to reach the final destination is permitted. Transiting passengers are prohibited from leaving the transit area/international zone and are prohibited from entering France. Layovers must be less than 24 hours in duration. Transiting passengers must produce travel documents to the final destination.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Unvaccinated travellers from the “red” list countries will be subjected to systematic antigen testing upon arrival. Unvaccinated travellers from the “orange” list countries will be subjected to random antigen tests.

• Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries on the “green”, “orange” and “red” lists are exempt from the test on arrival. Unvaccinated travellers from the countries on the “green” list are also exempted from the need for a test on arrival.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• France began accepting the “EU Digital COVID certificate” (EUDCC) from 1 July 2021. Holders of EUDCC will be allowed to enter France, without being subject to further restrictions (testing or quarantine), on the condition that their certificate contains either:

• Proof of vaccination, valid with the following conditions: 22 days after the first dose, or 14 days after the vaccination if the vaccine is administered in a single dose Janssen/Johnson & Johnson);

• Proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid 180 days;

• Negative result for a COVID-19 test. Either a negative PCR test certificate issued within the past 72 hours or a Rapid Antigen test certificate issued within the past 48 hours are accepted.

• Children under 6 years old are exempted from the testing or quarantine requirements.

• Unvaccinated travellers from the “green list” countries (except for Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Netherland and Greece) must present a negative PCR or an antigen test performed within 72 hours before departure from their point of origin (departure of the first flight in the event of a connecting trip). Children under eleven and vaccinated travellers from the ‘green list’ countries are exempt from pre-departure testing. More information can be found here.

• Unvaccinated travellers from “green-listed” countries who have previously contracted COVID-19 may present a certificate of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than 6 months prior to the date of arrival, instead of a negative PCR test result.

• Unvaccinated travellers coming from an “orange-listed” country (except travellers from the UK) must present a negative PCR certificate from a test performed within 72 hours before departure from their point of origin (departure of the first flight in case of travel with connection) or a negative antigen test less than 48 hours before departure from their point of origin (departure of the first flight in case of travel with a connection). Children under eleven are exempt from testing. More information can be found here. However fully vaccinated travellers from “orange-listed” countries are exempted from testing.

• Unvaccinated travellers arriving from the UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Netherland and Greece must present a negative result on a PCR or an antigen test performed within 24 hours before departure from their point of origin. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from the United Kingdom are exempted from testing.

• Unvaccinated travellers from a red-listed country must present a negative PCR or antigen test certificate from a test performed within 48 hours before departure from their point of origin (departure of the first flight in the event of travel with connection). Children under eleven and fully vaccinated travellers from red-listed countries are exempt from testing.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• France began accepting the “EU Digital COVID certificate” (EUDCC) from 1 July 2021. Holders of a valid EUDCC will be allowed to enter France, without being subject to further restrictions (testing or quarantine)

• All travellers from “green” list countries and vaccinated travellers from “orange” list countries and “red” list countries are not required to enter quarantine upon arrival.

• Unvaccinated travellers from the “orange” list countries are required to quarantine for 7 days upon arrival and undergo a second PCR test at the end of the isolation period. More information can be found here.

• Unvaccinated travellers from the “red” list countries are required to enter quarantine for 10 days (supervised by security forces) upon arrival in France and must provide proof of the address of the home or a suitable accommodation (hotel or similar) for quarantine. More information can be found here.

• Unvaccinated travellers arriving from the United Kingdom (including French citizens and residents returning home) are subject to quarantine for seven days on arrival. However, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK are exempted from the quarantine.

• Cross-border workers, hauliers, residents of a cross-border area (border within a 30 km radius of residence), and other “essential” workers entering France are exempt from the health controls that are in place.

• Other travellers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival must enter quarantine.

• Based on the above restrictions, the traveller will be required to spend between 0 and 10 days in quarantine.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All eligible vaccinated travellers, including citizens of France, must present a sworn declaration form that they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and other details based on their point of origin. The details, as well as the certificate, can be found here.

• Unvaccinated travellers arriving from green list countries, orange list countries (including the UK) and from red list countries must have these two documents:

• (a) An exempted International movement certificate for travel to metropolitan France. Travellers must present this certificate to travel companies, as well as to border control authorities, for travel by air, sea, land, rail;

• (b) A sworn declaration that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. The details regarding the sworn declaration can be found here.

• Travellers will not be allowed to board without these documents.

• France began accepting “EU Digital COVID certificates” (EUDCC) from 1 July 2021. Holders of EUDCC will be allowed to enter France, without being subject to further restrictions (testing or quarantine), on the condition that their certificate contains either:

• Proof of vaccination, valid with the following conditions: 22 days after the first dose, or 14 days after the vaccination if the vaccine is administered in a single dose Janssen/Johnson & Johnson);

• Proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid 180 days;

• Negative result for a COVID-19 test. Either a negative PCR test certificate issued within the past 72 hours or a Rapid Antigen test certificate issued within the past 48 hours are accepted.

• Children under 6 years old are exempted from the testing or quarantine requirements. (edited)

• With the EUDCC, European passengers will show the certificate’s QR code to border police or airlines. The presence of green or red light will indicate whether or not the European traveller is permitted to enter the region. Travellers will also be able to produce a printed form of their " pass “. More information can be found here.

Is vaccination required?

• No, with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory to enter the country. However, certain restrictions will be eased for travellers who can provide a vaccination certificate on arrival. Details can be found here.

• The vaccines accepted by France are those recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA): Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. France approves the Covishield AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India.

• Proof of vaccination is only valid on the condition that it makes it possible to certify the completion of a complete vaccination schedule, and the time required after the final injection, namely:

• 7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca (Vaxevria and Covishield));

• 4 weeks after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);

• 7 days after the injection for vaccines in people with a history of COVID-19 (only 1 injection necessary).

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country. However, it is strongly recommended.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The “TousAntiCovid” app is recommended.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports are open, and commercial passenger flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• A classification of countries according to health risk has been implemented, and specific procedures have been applied to travel, depending on the country of origin or destination. More information can be found here.

• There are certain specific rules for those who transport goods across the border.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Nationwide overnight curfew has been lifted. However, other health protocols to contain COVID-19 are still in effect.

• Restrictions may vary across regions. The measures in force in the prefectures can be accessed under the “Quick Access” code on this government link.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• The government advises avoiding social gatherings and staying home as much as possible.

• Teleworking is recommended whenever possible, at least 3 days a week. More details and guidelines can be found here.

• Effective 21 July, a COVID health pass confirming vaccination, recovery, or a negative result will be required for access to cinemas and other spaces and events with more than 50 people. More information regarding health passes can be found here.

• From August, a COVID health pass will also be necessary to enter cafés, restaurants, shopping centres, hospitals, retirement houses, and for long-distance travel by plane, train or bus.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Face masks are mandatory on public transport for all users aged 11 or above. Face coverings are also compulsory in taxis and private for-hire vehicles without a plexiglass screen.

• The obligation to justify a compelling reason for travel has been lifted between France and the islands of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin. The obligation to present a negative PCR test within 72 hours remains valid for all destinations. More information can be found here.

• Restrictions may vary across regions. The measures in force in the prefectures can be accessed under the “Quick Access” code on this government link.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• All businesses are open following a strict sanitary protocol. The reinforced health protocol for shops and markets can be found here.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open. Depending on the local situation, the occupancy limits have been lifted.
  The measures in force in the prefectures can be accessed under the “Quick Access” code on this government link.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and heritage sites are open.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Businesses are open with health protocols.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Services in places of worship are allowed.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• A health pass may be required to attend events. Passes can be digital (on the TousAntiCovid app) or in paper form (proof of vaccination or test result).

• The health pass is compulsory for outdoor and indoor events consisting of over 1,000 people or more.

• Festivals and standing concerts have resumed with adherence to a dedicated health protocol.

Masks required in public?

• No, with exceptions

• The requirement to wear masks outdoors has been lifted. However, masks will still be required on public transportation, stadiums, and other crowded outdoor places. Wearing masks is mandatory in closed areas, such as shops, offices, and schools.

Other

• Cultural establishments, including cinemas, party rooms, and marquees, are open. Depending on the local situation, the capacity limit has been lifted.

• Libraries are open with certain restrictions. Casinos are open with strict capacity limits.

• Information regarding the school reopening and safety protocols can be found here.

• Visits to nursing homes and retirement homes are authorized in strict compliance with barrier measures.

• Theatres and performance halls with a seated audience are open with no capacity restrictions.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.