Covid-19: Can I travel to France from UK?

The current rules in place for travel to France from the UK are expected to be in place until at least January 6

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Travel to France from the UK

Only the following categories of people are currently authorised to travel to France from the UK.

  • French nationals and nationals of the European Area, and their spouses and children;
  • British and/or third-country nationals who are either permanently resident in France, the European Union or the European Area;
  • British nationals moving to France to settle, on or before 31 December 2020;
  • British or third-country nationals travelling for certain exceptional reasons, listed here.
  • See here for details on proving residency in France

    All travellers from the UK, including children aged 11 and above, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.

    The current rules are regularly reviewed but are expected to be in place until at least January 6.

    Travelling to France from other EU countries

    Internal European borders remain open but, with some exceptions, external borders are closed.

    All travellers arriving in France will be tested at airports and ports, according to officials.

    Further information about travel to France is available on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

    Once in France, during the day, travel from town to town or department to department in France is, currently, unrestricted though not recommended.

    Public services, schools and shops are open but restaurants and cafes are closed, along with cinemas, theatres and museums.

    And a curfew remains in place from 20h to 06h, during which movements are restricted.

    Travel during curfew hours

    A nightly curfew is currently in force in metropolitan France. Between 20h and 06h you may only leave your residence for the following reasons and with an exemption certificate:

    • Commuting to and from work, school, or training place; carrying out essential business trips that cannot be postponed;
    • Medical appointments that cannot be carried out remotely or postponed;
    • Essential family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children;
    • Persons with a disability and their accompanying person;
    • A Judicial or administrative summons;
    • Participating in a mission of general interest upon request from an administrative authority;
    • Air or rail transit related to long-distance journeys;
    • Walking a pet outdoors within 1km of your home and for a brief amount of time.