Latest News: British travelers may face tougher restrictions when traveling to France because of COVID-19 variant (Schengen Visa Info, 25.05.2021). French authorities to start applying COVID-19 traffic light system for travelers by the end of May (Schengen Visa Info, 11.05.2021). French authorities add Bahrain, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay to list of COVID-19 high-risk countries (SVI, 17.05.2021). French authorities tighten restrictions for arrivals from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (SVI, 10.05.2021). From 9 May, negative PCR testing results carried less than 36 hours departure extended to additional seven non-European countries (Reuters, 07.05.2021).
International Restrictions:
*From within the EU:
France adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for France are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Any international travel is discouraged until further notice unless pressing reasons require it.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Upon their arrival, passengers will also be subject to a PCR test.
If a test cannot be carried out in the country of departure, you can ask the French Embassy or Consulate for a specific document called "RT-PCR test exemption". In this case, you will be tested upon arrival and a 7-day compulsory quarantine will have to be completed in an accommodation establishment validated by the public authorities, with an additional test at the end of the isolation period.
Children under 11 years old are exempted.
Is a quarantine required?
In the case of COVID-19 symptoms, travellers will have to undergo a quarantine or isolation.
Specific rules for the French Overseas Territories
Travel to/from French Polynesia, New Caledonia or the Wallis and Futuna islands is possible only for imperative family or professional reasons.
The specific conditions for each overseas territory are available at the following websites:
- Guadeloupe
- French Guyana
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- New Caledonia
- French Polynesia
- Réunion
- Saint Barthélémy and Saint Martin (French side)
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- The French Austral and Antarctic territories
- Wallis and Futuna
You will have to provide a certificate of international travel for travel to/from these territories.
Upon arrival in metropolitan France, you will be required to have a PCR test or, failing that, to comply with a 7-day isolation.
Mandatory travel documentation
Travellers need to present a declaration that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms and that they have not been in contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days before their travel. They also agree to submit to a PCR test upon arrival. This requirement does not apply to people under the age of 11.
Find out more:
diplomatie.gouv.fr
Attestations de déplacement dérogatoire
Information for travellers
Contact Point for France:
A toll-free hotline service (French only) can answer your questions about COVID-19 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays *Transit:
Transit by Land:
All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Children aged 11 and under are exempted.
Transit by Air:
international transits of less than 24h are allowed, provided that travellers don't leave the airport.
Borders in the European area are open with the obligation to carry out an RT-PCR test less than 72h before entry (except for connecting passengers whose final destination does not require a test).
Find out more:
Coronavirus advice for foreign nationals
Informations to passengers - Paris Aéroport
Arrivals from: Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United Kingdom
If you are arriving from one of these countries, you can enter France. You must comply with health regulations (PCR test and declaration) and you must quarantine for 7 days after your arrival.
If you are aged 11 or over, a negative PCR test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure, is required.
Arrivals from: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay
If you are in one of these countries, you can only enter France (including French overseas territories) if you have urgent reasons for travel. You must comply with health check measures (PCR test and declaration). You will be subject to a compulsory 10-day quarantine.
For your arrival in France, you need to fill in and carry 4 documents in addition to required travel documents:
- An exempted international travel certificate for travel to France, available in English and in French;
- A declaration;
- For travellers aged 11 or over, a negative PCR test result, carried out less than 36 hours before boarding. As an alternative, a negative PCR test result carried out less than 72 hours before boarding and a negative antigen test carried out less than 24 hours before boarding;
- Proof of quarantine location (your home, or other appropriate accommodation) and, where necessary, access details for inspectors.
Arrivals from any other country
If you are arriving from a country other than those listed above, you cannot enter France unless you have an exemption. You must comply with health requirements to enter France (PCR test and declaration). You must quarantine for 7 days after your arrival.
Specific rules for the French Overseas Territories
The specific conditions for each overseas territory are available at the following websites:
- Guadalupe
- French Guyana
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- New Caledonia
- French Polynesia
- Reunion
- Saint Barts and Saint Martin (French side)
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- The French Southern and Antarctic territories
- Wallis and Futuna
You will have to provide a certificate of international travel for travel to/from these territories.
Upon arrival in metropolitan France, a PCR test is required or, failing that, you have to comply with a 7-day isolation.
Mandatory travel documentation
Travellers need to present a declaration that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms and that they have not been in contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days before their travel. They also agree to submit to a PCR test upon arrival. This requirement does not apply to people under the age of 11.
Find out more:
Coronavirus advice for foreign nationals
*Travel in France: France has put measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. A national curfew is in place from 9pm to 6am. Exemptions from the curfew are very limited and only apply for those with medical needs, caring responsibilities or working in roles which cannot be done from home. Attestations (or self-certificates) to leave the house during curfew hours are available on the French Interior Ministry website and through the ‘Tous anti-Covid’ digital app. You should check theFrench government’s COVID 19 pages (in French) for more information. From 19 May, some restrictions are being lifted in mainland France: bar, cafe and restaurant terraces can reopen, allowing groups of up to six people. Retail, cultural and sports venues can also reopen, with capacity restrictions and health protocols in place. There are no internal travel restrictions in France. You should visit the French Interior Ministry website or use the ‘Tous anti-Covid’ digital app for further information. Outdoor gatherings of more than six people are not permitted and are subject to fines (unless authorised). The consumption of alcohol in some public spaces is forbidden. These measures may change at short notice either at national or at local level. You should checklocal guidance for further information. Full information about restrictions in France can be found here.
*Public spaces and services: Wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces has been compulsory since 20 July. This applies to those aged 11 and over. Local authorities in an increasing number of cities and regions (including Paris), have extended this to also include outdoor public spaces. Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in a fine. Please refer to local guidance for more information. Since 11 May, wearing masks on public transport has been compulsory for all users aged 11 and over, with fines for those who are not compliant. Masks are also compulsory in taxis and private hire vehicles without a plexiglass screen. Some travel operators such as airlines may specify types of masks to be worn on board e.g. surgical masks, and may encourage you to take spares for long journeys. Please check with your travel operator before travelling.