Entry into France
Traffic Light Countries are classified as green, amber red, or scarlet red based on their COVID-19 epidemiological status. This information is subject to change. Check the French government’s website for updates.
Certain nations have revised entry requirements owing to the ‘discovery of a novel coronavirus strain of special concern.’ Consult the French government’s website for updates.
Non-EU citizens aged 12 and older must have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) or antigenic test (which identifies protein N of Sars-Cov2) within 48 hours after departure. A negative COVID-19 test (within 24 hours) is all that is required for unvaccinated visitors from Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland.
From Saturday 18 December, all non-essential travel to and from the UK is banned (11:00pm GMT Friday 17 December).
Travel to or from the UK will require convincing reasons. French and EU citizens and their families can still return to France. Details are available on the French Government website.
France accepts EMA-approved vaccinations and considers the immunisation schedule complete 28 days after the first dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine and 7 days after the second dose of other vaccines (Pfizer/Cominarty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covisheild).
GREEN LIST CO (including Australia)
Are regarded low risk due to no active viral circulation and no worry variations.
You can enter without limitations if you are from a green list nation and have received a COVID-19 immunisation. You must present:
COVID-19 (PCR) or antigenic (for passengers aged 12+) test negative after 48 hours of departure
You haven’t been suffering from a group of symptoms linked with COVID-19; and you haven’t been in touch with confirmed cases in the 14 days before to travel.
If you are not immune to COVID-19, you must show the following:
COVID-19 (PCR) test results within 72 hours of departure, regardless of mode of conveyance (e.g. air, car, ferry and train). Connecting flights must be booked within 72 hours of the initial journey.
a sworn declaration stating that you haven’t had COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in touch with verified cases in the 14 days before to travel.
Travellers from various European green list nations may face extra restrictions. This includes a negative COVID-19 (PCR) or antigen test within 24 hours. Details are available on the French government website.
List of Amber
Are all other nations green or red listed? These nations are deemed medium risk, with modest viral activity and no widespread variations of concern.
Vaccinated travellers can enter freely. You must also present:
COVID-19 (PCR) or antigenic (for passengers aged 12+) test negative after 48 hours of departure
In the 14 days previous to travel, you must swear that you haven’t had any of the symptoms linked with COVID-19, and that you haven’t had any contact with confirmed cases.
Non-vaccinated travellers must:
strong motive to enter France.
evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) or antigen test within 72 hours before departure. For connecting flights, the testing window is before the first flight. All travellers aged 12 and up must comply.
you haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days before to travel; an antigen test or biological examination upon arrival in France; and a sworn undertaking to self-isolate for seven days, and another sworn undertaking to do a biological virological screening test (PCR).
Unvaccinated British tourists must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigenic test within 24 hours of departure.
RED LIST NAT
Are rated high risk due to active viral circulation and worry variations. Travel is subject to rigorous restrictions.
Vaccinated visitors visiting France no longer need to show documentation of a valid cause. You must present:
COVID-19 (PCR) or antigenic (for passengers aged 12+) test negative after 48 hours of departure
You haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days before to travel; an antigen test or biological examination upon arrival in France; and a sworn undertaking to self-isolate for seven days, and another sworn undertaking to take a biological examination upon return.
Unvaccinated travellers must provide a government-issued certificate stating their compassionate or compelling cause for travelling. To depart, you must have a negative COVID-19 (PCR or antigen) test (departure of first flight in case of connecting flights). All travellers aged 12 and up must be tested.
Unvaccinated travellers will be confined or isolated for 10 days upon arrival in France, with time limits (except in case of transit in an international zone).
Tourists who aren’t inoculated must
a sworn declaration (déclaration sur l’honneur) verifying that: you haven’t had COVID-19 symptoms; you haven’t been in touch with confirmed cases in the 14 days before to departure;
undergoing an antigen test or other biological testing upon arriving in France;
Except in cases of isolation at a facility provided by the administration (territorial isolation support units have been set up to assist isolated persons) or transit in an international zone, proof of home address or proper accommodation (hotel or equivalent).
RED LISTED COUNTRIE
Are deemed very high risk because to active viral circulation and dissemination of variants that may increase transmissibility.
All passengers, vaccinated or not, must have a valid cause to enter France. Any humane or compelling motive to travel must be documented. You must show documentation of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test or an antigen test within 48 hours of departure. Testing is not required for children under 12.
Travellers will also be quarantined or segregated by prefectural order for 10 days upon arrival in France, with timing constraints (except in case of transit in an international zone).
They must also provide:
a sworn declaration (déclaration sur l’honneur) verifying that: you haven’t had COVID-19 symptoms; you haven’t been in touch with confirmed cases in the 14 days before to departure;
undergoing an antigen test or other biological testing upon arriving in France;
Except in cases of isolation at a facility provided by the administration (territorial isolation support units have been set up to assist isolated persons) or transit in an international zone, proof of home address or proper accommodation (hotel or equivalent).
Consult the French government website for additional information and requirements. The French Interior Ministry’s website has government certifications.
France transit
Transiting through France is feasible if you stay in the international transit zone at the airport and meet the other conditions (COVID-19 PCR testing and paperwork).
Travellers aged 12 and up must provide:
a negative COVID PCR test within 72 hours of departure a sworn declaration (déclaration sur l’honneur) proving you haven’t had COVID-19 symptoms or been in touch with verified cases within 14 days of departure
a completed International Government Certificate
Exit France
Travel restrictions and regulations for unvaccinated tourists to high-risk nations (classified as amber, red or scarlet red).
The French Interior Department’s website has the latest guidelines.
Travel from France to a non-EU country is likewise restricted, including for foreign nationals. You can return to your home country. To leave the nation, you need a completed Government Certificate (attestation de sortie du territoire). You may not be able to return to France.
Leaving France
France has COVID-19-related limitations.
Check the French Government’s website for the latest limitations.
COVID-19 measures and limits may change rapidly in your region due to a severe COVID-19 scenario.
Certain venues demand a Health Pass (or ‘pass sanitaire’) demonstrating confirmation of vaccination status, serology, or a negative PCR-test.
Eateries and cafés
Shopping malls
Hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes (except in the case of an emergency)
Theatres and concert halls
Athletes and venues
zoos, theme parks, and circus
MUSEUMS AND EXHI
Library (except in universities or other specialty libraries)
Dancing-friendly nightclubs or bars
Aspects of culture
The Health Pass must also be produced when travelling long distances by bus, rail, or airline.
The French Government’s website has further information about the Health Pass.
Booster vaccines are now accessible to all adults. To renew their French Health Pass after December 15, people 65 and older or those who had a Janssen vaccine must provide confirmation of a COVID-19 booster immunisation (pass sanitaire). Booster immunizations are necessary within seven months following the last dose of a vaccine course starting on January 15, 2022.
Immunization information is available on the French Government’s vaccination webpage (in French).
Among other COVID-19-related rules and limitations in France are:
Bars and eateries allow six persons per table.
Aside from that, most other places are open but have special regulations and capacity limits.
Masks are required in enclosed locations such as shopping malls, libraries, post offices, banks, public service buildings, hotels (in common areas), and shops/stores.
Restrictions are regularly reviewed and may change.
