Covid-19 Travel Restrictions in France

France has revised its legislation on screening. Air route arrivals will need to complete a ‘sworn statement’ certifying that they do not suffer from symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been in touch with reported cases in the previous two weeks.

France has started to relax its restrictions on travel. As well as travelers coming from countries in the broader European zone (EU, Great Britain, Vatican City, Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland), it is now possible for travelers from Australia, Georgia, Canada, Japan, Rwanda, New Zealand, South Korea, Tunisia, Thailand, and Uruguay to reach France without any necessity of self-isolation or proof of travel. Travelers will, however, need to complete a ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form of self-certification that they do not suffer from COVID-19-related symptoms and have not been in touch with reported cases in the previous fortnight. This information is available in English on the website of the London French Embassy. International travelers who are not nationals of the countries referred to above or who come from one of the countries referred to above are also prohibited from entering France.

There are exemptions for spouses and children of French citizens, long-term residents with French residency Permits and their spouses and children, residents of the long term the Member States of the EEA, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino, the United Kingdom or the Vatican City and their spouses and children on the way home, as well as health professionals. Airline crew, diplomatic and consular workers, and foreign organizations with offices in France and their spouses and children, as well as merchant seamen, may still be permitted to join. For all travelers over the age of 11, mask-wearing is compulsory.

To enter and transit in France, travelers coming from outside the countries mentioned above must have an International Travel Certificate indicating that their travel is “important” in nature. This must be accessed through the French consular offices abroad or online at https:/www.interieur.gouv.fr prior to departure. Travelers flying from such areas to airports in France would also be expected to take a PCR exam. They may either offer a negative test result that was taken less than 72 hours before departure. Whether this test is recommended, or compulsory depends on the category in which your country of departure falls within: Category 1 countries: Bahrain, Panama, UAE, and US travelers. If the COVID-19 test result is not negative, boarding will be refused. Those leaving the US who have taken a test but do not yet have a result will be able to board a consular ‘laissez-passer’ on condition that they re-take an arrival test.

For travelers from Algeria, Armenia, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica,  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Madagascar, Maldives, Mexico, Qatar, Montenegro, Oman, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, and Turkey. Category 2 countries: In the 72 hours prior to departure, travelers are strongly urged to take a test but may choose to take a test on arrival instead. Those who refuse to take a test will be subject to quarantine on arrival.

Arrivals from countries not mentioned above will be invited to apply negative test results taken 72 hours before departure or which choose to take a test upon arrival. If they do not do so, they will be invited into quarantine.

To return to their country of residence for travelers transiting through France, there are special regulations. Only direct transit is required to enter your country of residence. Transiting passengers are forbidden from leaving the international zone and will not be admitted to France. Luggage must be checked at the destination, and passengers will not be able to leave the international zone for luggage collection and re-checking. The transit period must be less than 24 hours.

Please check the restrictions unique to the territory you are interested in visiting while traveling to the French Overseas Territories.

https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19

https://fr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements