Red, amber, green countries: France’s updated travel rules
We explain in six easy-to-read graphs the latest rules in place for travel between France and the rest of the world
France has a "traffic light" travel system in place, classifying countries as red, amber or green based on their Covid-19 risk levelsSam Wordley / Shutterstock
France introduced a red-amber-green travel system on June 9 that classifies countries depending on their Covid-19 risk factor and has since updated the rules several times.
Rules for travelling between France and green countries are the most relaxed, and rules for travelling between France and red countries are the strictest.
Countries can be moved between lists, and do so quite often.
France has also singled out five countries on the green list - Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Greece, and one country on the amber list - the UK, to impose stricter rules on pre-departure Covid tests for non-vaccinated travellers entering France.
For these countries only, non-vaccinated travellers to France must have proof of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours of departure.
We explain the travel rules for travelling between France and green, amber and red countries.
All 27 EU member states, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the Vatican, Albania, Australia, Brunei, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the US and Vanuatu.
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Vaccinated and unvaccinated people in France can travel from France to these countries, but it will also depend on the travel rules in place in each country.
Travel between France and amber countries
Countries where Covid is spreading actively but in controlled proportions.
The majority of countries are listed as amber. This includes: the UK, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Mexico, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Thailand, Kazakhstan, China, etc…
Vaccinated people in France can travel to these countries - depending on the rules set by each country.
Unvaccinated people in France can only travel to these countries if they have an essential reason, which mainly includes having the right to live or work in the country, and does not include tourism purposes.
Travel between France and red countries
Countries characterised by a particularly active circulation of the covid-19 epidemic or by the spread of certain worrying SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Tunisia, Uruguay and Zambia.
Vaccinated people in France can travel to these countries - depending on the rules set by each country.
Unvaccinated people in France can only travel to these countries if they have an essential reason, which mainly includes having the right to live or work in the country, and does not include tourism purposes.
In both cases, the government advises against travelling to red-list countries.
What are the rules for children?
The rules for children vary depending on:
If they are 12 years old or more and travelling alone
In this case, they will be treated in the same way as an unvaccinated adult, needing an essential reason to travel where relevant, and being subject to amber and red-listed country testing and quarantine requirements.
If they are 12 years old or more and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult
Children and teenagers accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult do not need an essential reason to travel and are not required to quarantine. However, they must present a negative Covid test where relevant as they are not vaccinated.
If they are under 12 years old and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult
Children under 12 are not subject to any requirements if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
