Travel from the U.S. to France: new rules starting December 4
To deal with the virus and contain new variants, border control measures are temporarily needed, both for entering and leaving the country.
Starting December 4, 2021 all travelers 12 years or older flying from the United States to France must provide a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or Antigen) capable of detecting the N protein, performed less than 48 hours prior to boarding. This is the case whether or not they have been vaccinated.
If you plan to travel to France from the United States, see below (if you are traveling from or transiting through another country, please consult the Ministry of Interior’s website).
French officials currently classify the United States as “amber,” based on health indicators.
In all cases, the usual travel restrictions apply (visa, length of stay, etc).
Whatever your place of departure, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival in France, you will be required to self-quarantine or you will be placed in isolation by the local prefect.
Please note that other rules apply to travel to and from French overseas territories.
For more information, consult the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Conditions for entry in France
If you are vaccinated
If you can provide proof that you have received all the prescribed doses of one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency or the Covishield vaccine, you do not need to provide a compelling reason to enter the country. You will need to submit:
- the result of a negative PCR or antigen test performed less than 48 hours before your first flight
- proof of your vaccination status (health pass or full vaccination certificate)
- a sworn statement certifying that you have no Covid-19 symptoms and have had no contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19
- a sworn statement certifying that you agree that diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 may be performed upon arrival
These documents can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Interior.
Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 28 days after the administration of one dose for the Janssen vaccine, 7 days after the administration of a second dose for the other vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield) and, for those who have received all required doses of a WHO-licensed vaccine not recognized by the European Medicines Agency, 7 days after the administration of an additional dose of a messenger RNA vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency. The measures applied to vaccinated adults also apply to accompanying minors, whether they are vaccinated or not.
For more information on how non-European nationals can obtain a COVID certificate, see this article
If you are not vaccinated
If you are unable to provide proof of having received all the prescribed doses of one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency or the Covishield vaccine, you must provide a compelling reason to enter the country. pour rentrer sur le territoire français. A list of such reasons is provided in the travel certificate issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Holding French citizenship constitutes a compelling reason and can be extended to a spouse and children.
You will also need to present:
- The result of a negative PCR or antigen test performed less than 48 hours before your flight
- A sworn statement certifying that you have no Covid-19 symptoms and have had no contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.
- A statement certifying that you agree to submit to diagnostic tests that will be performed upon your arrival in metropolitan continental France.
- A statement certifying that you will self-isolate for seven days and will take a PCR test at the end of the isolation period.
- In addition, you are required to complete the online form available at the following address: https://passager.serveureos.org
These documents can be downloaded from [https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel].
Where can you get tested?
Please find the list of COVID-19 testing centers by state below. We recommended that you confirm the time frame for obtaining results with the service provider before taking the test.
Which vaccines are accepted and under which conditions?
The vaccines accepted by France are those recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA):
- Pfizer (Comirnaty)
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
The AstraZeneca vaccine (Covishield) is also accepted.
Your required proof of vaccination will be considered valid only if it provides evidence of a complete vaccination schedule, which is:
- Seven days after the second shot for two-shot vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca (Vaxevria and Covishield)
- Four weeks after the shot for one-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson)
- Seven days after the shot for vaccines administered to people who have already had COVID-19 (only one dose is necessary)
- Seven days after the administration of an additional dose of a messenger RNA vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency for travelers who have received all required doses of a WHO-licensed vaccine not recognized by the EMA.