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Is it possible to travel to France from the UK?

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If they are vaccinated, travellers will be allowed to enter France without the need for a test. Those who are not vaccinated will have to submit a negative result.

France has removed its COVID-19 requirement for travellers arriving from the UK to be vaccinated.

According to the French interior ministry, travellers will no longer need to be tested once they have been vaccinated as per European regulations.

This is true regardless of where the traveller is from.

Non-vaccinated persons will continue to be subject to restrictions that include mandatory quarantine for 10 days. This is enforced by police.

These are the applicable rules:

  • Travel to France by vaccinated travellers is no longer required.
  • Two vaccine shots in 270 days or less will count as complete vaccination. Otherwise, they will need to have a booster shot.
  • The online “eOS Passenger” form will no longer be required for vaccinated travellers.
  • Non-vaccinated travellers will not be permitted to travel to the UK without proof that there is a compelling reason to do so.
  • Non-vaccinated travellers arriving from the UK must still complete the online “eOS Passager Form” prior to departing. This form must contain the address they will be staying in France to qualify for quarantine purposes.
  • Non-vaccinated persons arriving in France will need to be quarantined at the address for a period of 10 days. This will be enforced through the police.

All travellers to France could be subject to screening and may be asked to complete a Covid test upon arrival. Positive passengers will need to be quarantined for a period of 10 days.

To be able to access public transport in France and certain places while you are there, you may need to present a pass sanitaire to prove your vaccination status or a negative test.

The French government website has more information about how to access the pass sanitaire.

Guidelines for children

If they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, all travellers over 12 years old who travel to France will be considered to have the same vaccination status as their parents. Unaccompanied travellers aged 12 or above must be fully vaccinated.

Children under 12 years old are not required to get vaccinated.

Valid proof of vaccination

France will accept at the border the UK’s proof that COVID-19 has been recovered and the UK’s vaccination record. Any vaccination certificate that conforms to the EU Digital Covid Status Certification framework is accepted by France. This proves that you have been fully vaccinated using a vaccine approved by the European Medical Authority. Your last vaccine dose must be administered no later than 7 days before you travel to Oxford/AstraZeneca/BioNTech, Moderna, or 28 days after a single Johnson & Johnson dose. The Coronavirus page provides details about how to prove your COVID-19 status within France. The NHS appointment card issued by vaccination centres is not intended to be used for proof of vaccination.

For travellers aged 18 or over who have had their full vaccination course more than 9 months ago but have not received a COVID-19 booster vaccine must follow the rules to allow them to enter France.

If you’re transiting through France?

Transiting refers to when you travel through another country while on your way to your destination.

Travellers who have met the above entry requirements are allowed to transit to France. For reasons listed on the international travel form as ‘essential travel,’ travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated may transit to France. You can find this information on the French government webpage.

Exemptions

Drivers of heavy-duty vehicles

HGV drivers coming from the UK to France are not required to submit to a negative COVID-19 or to provide proof of vaccination. They also do not need to be quarantined.

French Overseas Territories Territories Entry

According to the French government website, travel from and to all territories overseas is not permitted unless there are compelling reasons. You will be subject to different restrictions depending upon where you are travelling. To see the French government website, please refer to each territory’s specific restrictions.

For information on the French overseas territory that you are visiting , see also travel advice pages.

Before you travel, make sure to check your passport and other travel documents.

Passport validity

You must comply with the Schengen Area rules if you plan to travel to any EU country (except Ireland), Switzerland, Norway or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Andorra, Monaco or San Marino.

Two requirements must be met before your passport can be issued. It must meet the following requirements:

  • You are less than 10 years of age on the date you enter. (Check the “date of issue”).
  • Valid for at least three months from the day you intend to leave (check the “expiry date”)

We have asked the European Commission for clarification on the 10-year rule. The spring of 2022 may see a change in their guidance regarding Schengen border guards. For some Schengen countries, your passport must be less than 10 years old for your entire visit. The 3 months at your end of your visit might need to be within 10years of the date your passport was issued.

Both the expiry and issue dates of your passport should be checked. You may have added months to your passport’s expiry date if you renew it early. This could impact the minimum age requirement that your passport is less than 10 years old.

If you feel your passport doesn’t meet these requirements, contact your travel agency or Embassy of the country where you are visiting. If you are required to renew your passport

Visas

Travel to Schengen countries, which France is a part of, can be made for as little as 90 days within a 180-day period and without the need to obtain a visa. This is applicable if you are travelling as a tourist or to visit your family and friends. Find more information here.

You can travel to France or other Schengen countries with no visa if you do not have a passport. Your 90-day limit does not apply to visits made within the last 180 days.

You will need to satisfy the French government’s entry requirements to stay longer, work, study, or travel for business purposes. You can visit the France Visas Website to find out what your specific entry requirements might be.

You are travelling to France to work. Please refer to the guidance on visas & permits.

You can stay in France without a visa if you have a residence permit, long-stay visa or other types of visa. This does not count towards your 90 day visa-free limit.

British citizens who cannot return to the UK after the expiry or end of their visa-free period should contact their French prefecture.

Passport stamping

If you are visiting France, check that your passport has been stamped. Passport stamps will be used by border guards to verify that you are complying with the 90-day visa free limit for short stays within the Schengen region. Border guards will assume that you have exceeded your visa-free period if the relevant entry and exit stamps are missing from your passport.

If you have evidence that shows when and where you entered the Schengen region, ask border guards for this information to be added to your passport. Tickets and boarding passes are examples of acceptable evidence.

You may be asked to:

  • If you are visiting your property, such as booking confirmation, or proof that you have proof of residence, it is important to show proof of where you plan to stay. (e.g. second home). 
  • Show proof of insurance for your trip. Please refer to the guidance for travel insurance.
  • Show a return ticket or onward ticket.
  • You must prove that you have sufficient money to cover the cost of your stay. More information is available below.

France has the following possible accommodation arrangements:

  1. If you’re staying with family, friends, or third parties, you might be asked to present an “attestation d’accueil” (welcome invitation). This attestation must be obtained from the local Mayor. The original attestation must also be sent to the French host before you can enter France. For the duration of your stay, you should be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover at least EUR32.50 per person. You should also be able to show proof of funds for at least EUR32.50 per day if you don’t have an “attestation d’accueil”.
  2. If you have a second residence in France, you must be able to show proof of ownership or tenancy. A tax or utility bill.
  3. If you are staying in a hotel or any other commercially-provided accommodation, you might be asked to confirm your reservation upon entry into France. Also, you should be prepared to provide proof of funds equivalent to EUR65 per day during your stay.
  4. You don’t have an ”attestation d’accueil” or pre-booked accommodation. In this instance, you might be asked to show that you have enough funds for your visit of at least EUR120 per day for the duration.

British citizens who cannot return to the UK after the expiry or end of their visa/permit limit due to COVID-19 restrictions are advised to contact France’s local immigration authorities.

Visit the French government’s website about travel conditions for British citizens to find out more.

Travelling with children

Any child under 18 who is (as of 15 January 2017) in France or (b) leaving France without a parent or guardian must present the following documents at the French border. (i) The child’s ID card, passport, and (iii), a completed AST authorisation (Authorisation de Sortie du Territoire), and (iii). A copy of the passport or ID card of the parent or guardian that has signed the AST form. Visit the French Ministry of Interior website for more information.

Travelling with your pet

Please read our guide if you are planning to travel to the EU with your pet cat, dog, or ferret. A pet passport issued in Great Britain (England/Wales, Scotland) is no longer valid for travel to France. Your pet passport that was issued in the EU Member States or Northern Ireland is still valid for travel to France.

A health document must be signed by your vet if you plan to bring pets to France.

You can only travel with five pets for non-commercial purposes.

More information can be found in French at this hyperlink. Scroll down to the note D’information sur L’importation des animaux de compagnie en provenance des pays tiers. The pdf’s page 17 (annex IV) contains the health document.

Pet owners who are travelling with their pets to France will need to pass through a designated point of entry (TPE). Calais, Dunkirk.

Upon entry to France, customs checks

You can only bring certain goods into France as a tourist. There are restrictions on their value and volume. To confirm the most current allowances per traveller, you should visit the French Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from France.

Return to the UK

Anyone over 12 who travels to the UK must complete an online passenger locator form before they leave. For under-18s, the form can be completed by adults.

You don’t need to pass any tests if you are fully vaccinated before you arrive in the UK. There is no need to quarantine. For travellers below the age of 18, the same rules apply.

If you’re 18 years old or older but not fully vaccinated:

  • You will need to provide proof that you have passed a negative Covid-19 test within the two days prior to your trip to the UK.
  • You will need to pay and book a PCR test within two days of your arrival in the UK. Before you travel, this must be booked through a private provider.
  • You don’t have to quarantine if your PCR test is negative.

 

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