The French ban on travellers from the UK that has been in place since 20th December 2021 has now been lifted.
The French Interior Minister announced that: “Faced with the predominance of the Omicron variant both in France and the United Kingdom, the government has chosen to ease the specific health control measures at the borders which had been decided last December for vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom.”
So, what are the rules now if you want to travel to France from the UK?
What do I need to be able to travel to France?
If you are a British traveller embarking on a business trip, going on holiday, or visiting friends and family, then you will need to be able to show proof of full vaccination. The French border is advising that you will only be classed as being double vaccinated if you have had both doses of one of the following vaccines:
- Astra Zeneca
- Moderna
- Novavax
- Pfzier
- A single dose of Janssen
You can upload the QR code from the NHS COVID app to the TousAntiCovid french app through the use of a smartphone.
Do I need to take a COVID test?
Yes. The Consulate General of France in London states that the COVID-19 rules for travel between France and the UK include “Travellers (12 years old or more) have to provide the result of a negative antigen or PCR test (in paper or digital format) carried out less than 24 hours prior to departure.”
Antigen tests refer to swift lateral flow tests available from private providers such as Fit2FlyTest – you cannot use the free NHS tests for international travel.
The French Authorities have also said “Arrival screenings may be conducted at the places of arrival. If the result is positive, the traveller will be placed in isolation.”
Do I need to fill in any forms?
If you want to travel to France you need to complete a “sworn undertaking to comply with rules for entry” form – asserting that you have not been suffering from any COVID-19 symptoms and “have no knowledge of having been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID_19 during the last 14 days.
What about entry to France for children?
Children aged 11 or under do not need to be vaccinated or take any tests in order to travel to France from the UK.
Young people aged 12 to 17 can travel according to the rules that apply to their accompanying adult – so if the adult is fully vaccinated then the child is considered to also be fully vaccinated. This will be really useful for families who are driving through France in order to reach other destinations.
However, if you want to access venues in France, such as cafes or ski lifts, then the position for children is more complicated. Full vaccination is mandatory for those aged 12 to 17 for example.
What is the position on travelling to France for unvaccinated travellers?
Travel to France from the UK is permitted only for “compelling reason” for those who are unvaccinated – and there are mandatory quarantine requirements on arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers must complete a passenger locator form and state where they will be staying while they isolate.
The authorities have stated that: “They must, on arrival in France, observe a strict quarantine period of 10 days at this place. This quarantine will be controlled by the security forces.”
What do I need to be able to travel within France?
Access to any venue in France requires you to prove that you are a low-risk person – usually via a smartphone app.
The key to this is the French app – TousAntiCovid – which is well designed and intuitive to use, and which has instructions in clear English.
British travellers aged 16 and over can upload their QR codes from their NHS vaccinations to the app. Once they have done that they just need to tap on “Health pass” to get a QR code that should be accepted by any French venue.
For access to venues such as museums and restaurants, it is important to use the”Activity” version of the app and not the “Border” one.
Up to now, the TousAntiCovid health pass has been accepted along with evidence of a negative test or recovery. From this week, however, the health pass will become a vaccination pass – with only proof of vaccinations accepted.
Proof that you have been fully vaccinated is different from the proof that you are double jabbed. If you have had your second vaccine injection over seven months ago, then you need to have proof of a booster vaccination in order to be classed as fully vaccinated.
And for children to travel within France?
The exemption for entry into France does not apply for access to venues within France.
Young people aged 16 or over can prove they are vaccinated by using the NHS COVID app.
Parents of vaccinated children aged 12 to 15 can apply online for an NHS COVID Pass letter, which will be posted out.
Children under the age of 16 can also take a lateral flow test in the 24 hours before they intend on attending a venue. This option is not available to those who are aged 16 or 17.
What do I need to do to come back to the UK?
You need to book a day 2 test to be taken on the day you return or within the two days after – and you must put the test reference number on your passenger locator form.
Here at Fit2FlyTest, we have a variety of COVID tests for travel to help you to travel anywhere in the world safely.
We offer:
- Lateral Flow Tests
- PCR Fit to Fly Test
- Day 2 Testing Kit
- Day 2 and Day 8 Testing Kits
- Test to Release PCR Test
