- Go to the main menu
- Go to the mobile menu
- Go to main content
- Press Room Press Room
- Increase text size
- Decrease text size
- Add our RSS feed
Travel Restrictions and Implementation of Public Health Measures at Borders - Press release issued by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Solidarity and Health (22 May 2020)
- Share on Twitter
- Share on Facebook
- Partager sur Linkedin
To help control the spread of COVID-19, the Act of 11 May 2020 extending the state of health emergency provides for the possibility of putting specific health measures in place for travellers arriving in Metropolitan and Overseas France. The measure comes on top of the travel restrictions which came into force at our borders on 18 March and will remain in place until 15 June 2020.
The decrees implementing the Act of 11 May will be published and come into force on Saturday 23 May 2020. They create a legal framework which makes it possible to impose, by decision of the prefect and under judicial supervision, 14-day quarantine or isolation measures at home or in appropriate accommodation. This is a legal option, which nevertheless systematically applies to Overseas France, where there is a specific health situation, and to people arriving at our borders who show symptoms of being infected with COVID-19 during the health checks which will be put in place.
From Monday 25 May 2020, the Government is additionally putting in place a voluntary 14-day quarantine measure for travellers arriving from certain countries:
- For travellers arriving from outside the European area (all countries of the world except European Union member States, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City), the principle which remains in place today, and until further notice, is the border closure and therefore the ban on entry.
French nationals or permanent residents in France may, however, enjoy continued access to French territory, as may certain specific categories of people set out on the website of the Ministry of the Interior . In return, people are nevertheless asked to act responsibly by placing themselves in voluntary quarantine. On their arrival on French territory, those admitted who arrive from outside the European area will be provided with information about the conditions under which the voluntary quarantine can be carried out at their chosen address or, where applicable, in appropriate accommodation. Travellers are called upon to be civic-minded and demonstrate a sense of responsibility in putting this health precaution into practice.
- For travellers arriving from inside the European area (European Union member States, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City), the borders are not closed but are still subject to travel restrictions imposed as part of border controls coordinated with our partners. Some measures have been relaxed: in addition to French nationals or people with permanent residence in France, cross-border workers, international carriers, new categories of people are now permitted to enter France, in particular for family reasons (separated spouses, continued schooling, childcare, visiting dependent relatives) and for professional reasons (seasonal workers and European posted workers whose missions cannot be postponed) to contribute to the economic recovery. All the permitted categories feature on the Interior Ministry website. Moreover, to facilitate the smooth movement of traffic while ensuring implementation of the restrictions remaining in force until 15 June, border crossing points are gradually being reopened and permanent static checks are giving way to intermittent dynamic checks. Finally, we are working on a single, joint declaration with the border States.
In health terms, given the similar epidemiological situations in European States and the coordination of crisis management measures, there will be no requirement for people arriving on French territory from countries in the European area to go into a 14-day quarantine period.
However, for travellers arriving from European countries whose authorities have decided, in an uncoordinated fashion, to apply 14-day quarantine measures to travellers entering their territory from European countries, a voluntary 14-day quarantine period will be reciprocally requested. For example, from Monday 25 May onwards, travellers arriving from Spain, on flights only, will be asked to go into voluntary quarantine, because Spain imposed a quarantine system on 15 May for travellers arriving in Spain by plane. This applies to travellers of Spanish, French and all other nationalities. Likewise, travellers arriving from the United Kingdom, whatever their nationality, will be asked to go into a 14-day quarantine period when the British 14-day quarantine measure, announced this evening, actually comes into force.
The following people will be exempt from voluntary quarantine, except if they show symptoms :
- people in transit to another country;
- crew members and people operating passenger and cargo flights, or travelling as passengers to their departure point;
- international freight transporters;
- coach and train drivers and crew;
- crew members and people operating merchant and fishing vessels;
- foreign health professionals helping fight COVID-19;
- staff of diplomatic and consular missions and of international organizations with headquarters or offices in France, as well as their spouses and children;
- French and foreign domestic security or defence forces personnel returning from missions, or on mission, staff of the judicial authority carrying out its work, and government officials posted abroad or returning from missions, as well as their spouses and children;
- cross-border workers;
- people with compelling family reasons (travel justified for the purpose of transferring custody of or having access or staying access to a child; continued schooling; urgent assistance to a loved one; the funeral of a close relative);
- people allowed to enter France for economic reasons if they are staying for less than five days. The quarantine conditions applicable to seasonal and posted workers permitted to enter are set out in the directive of 20 May 2020.
In order to make their journey, travellers will have to provide the following documents, available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior :
- an international travel declaration;
- a sworn statement certifying that the traveller shows no symptoms of being infected with COVID-19.
France is also continuing its efforts to increase coordination with its European partners, in particular its border countries. We ask the States in the European area to give priority to quarantine measures not applying to travellers arriving from inside the European area. We are also promoting coordinated health measures at the European area’s external borders, with the aim of arriving in the coming weeks at a harmonized list of third countries where the active spread of the virus has been observed, and for which increased and coordinated health measures may be implemented.
Press service of the Ministry of the Interior: service-presse at interieur.gouv.fr / 01.40.07.22.22 Press service of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: presse.dcp at diplomatie.gouv.fr / 01.43.17.57.57 Press service of the Ministry for Solidarity and Health: sec.presse.solidarites-sante at sante.gouv.fr / 01.40.56.60.65
France drops its ban on UK travelers but some entry rules still apply
Jan 13, 2022 • 2 min read
British travelers can once again travel to France from Friday © Shutterstock
France will end its ban on travelers from the UK on Friday (January 14), permitting non-essential travel once again.
France imposed a non-essential travel ban on arrivals from the UK In December when the Omicron variant was spreading "extremely quickly" there, with some exceptions made for French and EU citizens.
Starting tomorrow (January 14) that ban will be lifted and travel from the UK will be permitted, though some COVID-19 restrictions still apply.
"People will once again be able to travel for leisure between France and the UK, and to go skiing," France's tourism minister, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, told reporters .
Read more: France travel during COVID-19 - What it felt like to visit this winter
France testing and self-isolation rules for UK arrivals
Vaccinated UK travelers will no longer need an essential reason to enter France, and will not have to self-isolate upon arrival. However, they must provide a COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of departure. This applies to all travelers over the age of 12.
The rules remain unchanged for unvaccinated UK travelers who will have to register their essential reasons for visiting France on an app, present a negative COVID-19 test, and self-isolate for at least 48 hours upon arrival—only leaving isolation if they produce another negative test in France.
To be considered as fully vaccinated, travelers must have had two doses of one of the four EU-approved vaccines, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson at least two weeks prior to travel.
Why was the travel ban introduced?
The ban was introduced when the UK was facing a surge of Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 cases, shortly after the new variant had emerged in Europe. France had hoped that by limiting travel to and from the UK, it would give them time to control the virus within their own borders.
In a statement released two days before the ban, the French government said that from Decemer 18 "people cannot travel for tourism or professional reasons," adding that the British government had itself said that the UK would face “a tidal wave” of new Omicron-driven infections in the coming days.
Now that Omicron has reached most of the world, with France expected to reach its Omicron peak in mid-January , the French government no longer feels it is necessary to continue the ban.
You might also like: Starting today, Italy has new COVID-19 measures in place This is how international tourists can apply for a health pass in France
This article was first published Dec 16, 2021 and updated Jan 13, 2022.
Explore related stories
Jul 26, 2022 • 4 min read
Do you have a trip planned, or are considering going to Germany soon? Here are 6 questions to ask before you go.
May 16, 2022 • 4 min read
May 13, 2022 • 3 min read
May 10, 2022 • 4 min read
Apr 29, 2022 • 3 min read
Apr 29, 2022 • 2 min read
Apr 1, 2022 • 4 min read
Mar 31, 2022 • 8 min read
Mar 14, 2022 • 2 min read
Mar 2, 2022 • 6 min read
France Travel Restrictions
Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status
Traveling from the United States to France
Open for vaccinated visitors
COVID-19 testing
Not required
Not required for vaccinated visitors
Restaurants
Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.
France entry details and exceptions
Ready to travel, find flights to france, find stays in france, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.
Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.
Can I travel to France from the United States?
Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter France.
Can I travel to France if I am vaccinated?
Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter France without restrictions.
Can I travel to France without being vaccinated?
Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter France without restrictions.
Do I need a COVID test to enter France?
Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering France.
Can I travel to France without quarantine?
Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.
Do I need to wear a mask in France?
Mask usage in France is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.
Are the restaurants and bars open in France?
Restaurants in France are open. Bars in France are .
Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Beta This is a test version of the layout of this page. Take the survey to help us improve it
Travelling to France
Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.
Subscriptions
- Get emails for this topic Travelling to France
France travel advice
FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad
Find out how to get the documents you’ll need to get married or form a civil partnership overseas and how much they’ll cost.
Information for UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in France
This guide provides advice on what the British Embassy can do to help UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in France, the services available in France, how to report abuse to the police and how to get protection.
Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad
How to minimise your risk, and what to do if there's a terrorist attack.
Is this page useful?
- Yes this page is useful
- No this page is not useful
Help us improve GOV.UK
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Entry requirements - France travel advice
Entering the UK: Overview
France travel advice
THE MINISTER - French people going to Britain and returning [to France] - we set the rules for this. Indeed, Britain is an "amber" country, like most of the world's countries - the United States, for example. This means you can come to France from Britain; if you've been vaccinated, you still do a test, because it isn't a ...
But a negative Covid test, taken 24 hours before leaving the UK, will still be required for all those arriving. Travel companies welcomed the news - with Jet2 reporting a "sharp" spike in flight ...
France is one of the latest European countries to lift its Covid restrictions for all travellers, regardless of vaccination status. Nor will you need to sign justifications for travel, a sworn statement or fill out any forms prior to arrival. You also won't be asked for proof of vaccination or to take a Covid test to travel between mainland ...
Press Release: COVID certificate for French nationals abroad and their dependents vaccinated with vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency or their equivalents (02 Aug. 21) Reopening France's borders from 9 June (4 Jun. 2021) Covid 19 - Vaccines - Q&A from the press briefing (18 May 2021) Covid-19 - Q&A from the press briefing (5 ...
Covid rules in France and the UK. In France - Once in France, you no longer need a vaccine pass to access venues like bars, restaurants, museums or cinemas. Masks are still required on all public ...
Travel to England from another country - COVID-19 rules
The Covid travel rules between France and Ireland this Christmas; ... If you are reporting numbers of Covid in the UK and France, please comper like for like. Yesterday, (Thursday 16th December ...
Previously, if you were travelling to England from an amber list country such as France, you had to take a pre-departure Covid test, then book and pay for a Day 2 test. Fully vaccinated arrivals ...
France imposed a non-essential travel ban on arrivals from the UK In December when the Omicron variant was spreading "extremely quickly" there, with some exceptions made for French and EU citizens. Starting tomorrow (January 14) that ban will be lifted and travel from the UK will be permitted, though some COVID-19 restrictions still apply.
Police in Paris ensure shops close at 6pm as France begins a new curfew to tackle Covid-19. The other measures appeared more general, with French media saying they were fairly mild and an attempt ...
Find continuously updated travel restrictions for France such as border, vaccination, COVID-19 testing, and quarantine requirements. Flights. Hotels. Cars. Packages. Travel Guides. Trains. ... This page covers COVID-19 related travel restrictions only. For other travel restrictions, please check the guidance from your local authorities. COVID ...
Health - France travel advice
The basics There are no current Covid-related restrictions on international travel to France, although the country has had some of the most stringent Covid-19 restrictions in the world, including ...
France travel advice. FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.