Update: This article was updated on November 2 to state that only travellers entering Spain by plane or ferry must fill out a Health Control Form.
Travel to Italy and Spain from France is possible for both people who are fully vaccinated against Covid and those who are not, with unvaccinated people requiring a negative test or proof they have recovered from Covid in the past six months.
However, there are certain forms to fill out before travelling to either country. We explain it here.
Italy
It is necessary for all travellers to Italy to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF), to give details about their trip and their contact information.
These forms can be found through an EU online service at this link. Once you have completed the form, you will receive the PLF in PDF format and with a QR code, which you can show to travel authorities.
For anyone who does not have a way to show their form electronically, you can print off this form instead.
The PLF can be completed at any time before the trip, but if you are travelling by plane it must be sent off before you board.
One form must be completed for each adult passenger. Children (under 18s) can be registered on the form of the accompanying adult.
As well as the PLF, travellers to Italy should show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid with an EU-approved vaccine. This can be in paper or digital format, or shown through a phone application, such as France’s TousAntiCovid.
If you are not vaccinated, you will need a certificate proving you have recovered from Covid in the past six months, or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of travelling or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling.
You can find out more about the rules for your specific case by taking a survey here made by the Italian government.
It should be noted that in Italy, Covid vaccine certificates are valid 14 days after the final dose and remain valid for 270 days (eight months, three weeks, five days).
It is not clear if this rule also applies to travellers entering Italy. There is no expiration date on Covid vaccine certificates issued in France.
You also need to show a health pass (pass sanitaire) to sit indoors in restaurants and cafés, go to indoor public events such as cinemas or theatres, and to take regional transport.
A health pass is proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid, proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours, or proof of having recovered from Covid in the past six months.
Health passes that are issued in France are valid in Italy and everywhere else in the EU, under the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate scheme.
Spain
To enter Spain by plane or ferry, travellers must fill out a Health Control Form (similar to a passenger locator form). This can be done online at this link. There is a separate form for those travelling by ferry. Passengers will receive a QR code that they must show to travel authorities.
All individuals entering Spain must fill out one of these forms. It is valid for a single trip.
Adults can fill out a form on behalf of minors or dependents.
The form asks for contact details and details of your trip, including arrival and departure dates.
You also need to fill out this form even if you are only transiting in Spain.
Travellers entering Spain by road do not need to fill out a Health Control Form.
As well as the Health Control Form, travellers to Spain should show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid with an EU-approved vaccine. This can be in paper or digital format, or shown through a phone application, such as France’s TousAntiCovid.
If you are not vaccinated, you will need a certificate proving you have recovered from Covid in the past six months, or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of travelling or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling.
A health pass is proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid, proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours, or proof of having recovered from Covid in the past six months.
Health passes that are issued in France are valid in Spain and everywhere else in the EU, under the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate scheme.
In Spain, masks are required to be worn in most indoor public spaces and on public transport
The rules can vary by region in Spain. More information can be found on France’s government website about this here (in French).
Returning to France
Spain and Italy are both on France’s green travel list.
If you are fully vaccinated, you only need:
- Proof of your vaccination status
- A completed ‘sworn statement’ (engagement sur l’honneur, on the French government website here) form self-certifying that you are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight.
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid:
You must present proof of recovery from Covid within the last six months or a negative PCR or rapid antigen Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travelling. You must also complete a sworn statement that you do not have symptoms of Covid-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of Covid-19.
Children: Children under 12 years of age do not need to take a test but do need to fill in their sworn statement.
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Eight updates for air, ferry and rail travel to and from France
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Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France
