Tuesday 14th December 2021
UPDATE 4th Feb 2022:
The French and British governments have relaxed their entry requirements. The article below is therefore now out of date but latest information can be found as follows:
You can see the latest information from the French government at Certificate of International Travel.
The latest advice from the UK government can be found at Travel to and from France.
You can also read: Covid Restrictions Lifted in France.
Covid Statistics
Latest Covid figures from the French government show that 76% of the population are fully vaccinated and that there are around 700,000 vaccinations per day.
Over the past 7 days there have been an average of around 50,000 new cases per day. Omicron cases appear to be under 100 to date.
The percentage number testing positive is approx 6.7% and the infection rate is around 500 inhabitants per 100,000 population, although it reduces by age, eg 288/100,000 for those 60-69 years. It is highest amongst 30-39 age group, at 623/100,000.
Hospital admissions are averaging around 6,000 a week and there are around 2,700 currently in an intensive care ward.
Deaths in hospital are around 700 per week. There have been approx 121,000 deaths (inc 21,000 in residential care) since the start of the pandemic.
All the numbers are increasing each week.
As a result of the Omicron variant the both the UK and French governments have tightened travel restrictions and restrictions also apply from other countries.
COVID 19 - Travel to France from UK
All those aged 12+ travelling from the UK to France must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen/lateral flow) before departure, whether or not you are fully vaccinated. Unlike in the UK no arrival test or contact locator form is required.
Different rules then apply for vaccinated and non-vaccinated travellers.
Vaccinated Traveller
The test must be taken no more than 48 hours before travel.
The travel test cannot be carried out within the NHS, but by accredited private laboratories. An antigen/lateral flow test is cheaper and a result can be obtained within an hour.
A ‘valid’ vaccination certificate is defined as either:
1 week after the 2nd dose for double-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
28 days after the dose for single-dose vaccines (Johnson & Johnson);
1 week after the dose for vaccines for people who have previously had COVID-19 (only 1 dose necessary).
You can import your UK vaccination QR code into the French 'TousAntiCovid' app. The app is available in the English language.
If you are travelling with only a printed proof of vaccination it must date from 1st Nov to be scanned.
For security purposes, you would be best advised to travel with both paper and digital versions of the proof.
As part of the departure process you will need to also produce a sworn statement attesting to the absence of symptoms of covid-19 infection and contact with a confirmed case of Covid.
Children under the age of 11 are exempt from testing. Children aged 12 to 17 must take a COVID-19 test in the 2 days before travel.
Non-Vaccinated Traveller
Non-vaccinated people require a 'compelling reason' for travel. The list of compelling reasons is given on the sworn statement (below) you need to complete.
All those 12+ must produce a negative PCR or antigen test (in paper or digital format) carried out less than 24 hours prior to departure, by a certified laboratory.
A sworn statement is required, certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their crossing, to take an antigen test or biological examination on arrival in France and to self-isolate for seven days on arrival in France, and then to take a second PCR test at the end of that self-isolation period.
Covid 19 - Travel to UK from France
All people aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or lateral flow test before they travel to England from abroad. This applies whether you qualify as fully vaccinated or not.
A test in France can be booked on the website Doctolib.
To qualify as fully vaccinated you must have had your final dose at least 14 days before you arrive in the UK.
Once in the UK you must self-isolate and take a PCR test (only) before the end of day 2 after you arrive which you need to book before your departure for the UK. You can take the test on the day of arrival, which can normally be done at the airport. Prices vary but they are generally not cheap. Reports are widespread of delays in the receipt of test results, during which you must self-isolate. The best advice is to take a rapid results test at the airport. Expect to pay circa £100 for it.
You can leave self-isolation if your PCR test result is negative. If the test is positive you must isolate for 10 days.
If you’re in England for less than 2 days, you still need to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test. You must quarantine until you receive a negative test result, or until you leave England, whichever is sooner.
If you are not fully vaccinated you must take a test (PRC or antigen/lateral flow) 2 days before you travel to the UK and book PCR tests for day 2 and 8 after arrival in the UK.
You will need a sworn statement.
For the UK border control authorities you will also need to complete a Contact Locator form, which you need to do before departure.
If you have travelled through a third country during your return trip to France, but remained in the airport international zone, the rules for the departure country apply.
If you live in France and you are a UK national and you wish to visit the UK, you are free to do so. The French government state: 'no foreign citizen wishing to return to their country of residence or origin will be prevented from leaving France (without no guarantee, however, of being able to return without a compelling reason).'
Covid 19 Travel Within France
There are no internal travel restrictions in France so there is no form required to show to the police the purpose of your journey. Neither is there any kind of lockdown or curfew, although nightclubs are closed.
Facemasks are mandatory in indoor public spaces and on public transport and hygiene measures must be in place.
In order to access many services and venues those aged 12 and over will need to demonstrate their COVID-19 status through the Covid-19 certificate (pass sanitaire).
As of December 15, 2021, the pass sanitaire for people over 65 will no longer be active if the booster has not been given within 7 months of the last injection or the last infection. In theory, anyone 65+ can simply enter a vaccination centre to get a booster without an appointment, but delays abound almost everywhere, and centres simply not adopting that policy.
Once you have received your booster you need to update your pass sanitaire with the new QR code on the certificate, or download from Ameli, the health service on-line service.
From 15th Jan the 65+ plus rule will be extended to all everyone 18+.
Separately, the compulsory wearing of a mask in external areas (as well as in internal areas) is becoming more widespread in France. You need to check on the website of your local prefecture.
The health pass is available on the 'TousAntiCovid' mobile app.
If you wish to go to a restaurant or bar etc and sit inside, using the TousAntiCovid app you will be required to scan a QR that will enable you to be contacted. The process can also be undertaken non-digitally. The registration process is called le cahier de rappel numérique/papier.
A list of centres where you can obtain a PCR/rapid antigen test can be found at Depistage Covid. The tests are available to foreign visitors, for a charge for €44 for a PCR and €22 for an antigen test, although this is not a rule that is being universally adopted, with higher prices in some airports and other locations.
The tests are no longer be free for residents, except where required for medical reasons, eg contact with someone who is positive. In that case, visitors can use their EHIC/GHIC.
Covid 19 - Travel to Europe from Europe
Countries vary in the rules they have adopted. Thus, Austria has been complete entry of foreign tourists and only fully vaccinated UK travellers are allowed to enter Spain.
If you are travelling to France from elsewhere in Europe (including Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland), you are permitted to do so without controls (but see Belgium below) if you are fully vaccinated, although you will need to complete a sworn declaration. If not, you are subject to the PCR test, a sworn declaration and 7 days self-isolation.
People coming from Belgium, apart from children under 12, must present proof of full vaccination or a negative result of a PCR or antigen test taken less than 24 hours prior to the date of arrival.
The EU has introduced an EU wide vaccination certificate protocol. It is not compulsory to use for EU residents, but travel across borders and at airports is likely to be easier with it. If you do not have it you will need to comply with local testing and quarantine restrictions and travel across borders may be more complicated.
You can download the EU certificate from the 'TousAntiCovid' app. You can also obtain it from your local surgery or vaccination centre or by connecting to Attestation de vaccination contre la Covid‑19 using your 'France Connect' access codes which offer an EU compatible hard copy certificate.
Digital (QR code) or paper versions are available, but use of the digital version will ease potential delays at airports etc. That said, you would probably be best advised to carry both the digital and paper versions with you.
Covid 19 - Travel to France from Other Countries
The rules vary but you can find details at Certificate of International Travel.
It is currently not possible to enter France (or Europe) from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, although this rule does not apply to EU nationals, long-term residents of the EU and certain essential travellers.
The US government recently advised its citizens against travel to France although US nationals are not banned from travel to France. You will need to produce the negative PCR or antigent test less than 48 hours before travel as well as complete the sworn statement above.
