Explained: Covid-19 rules for travel to and from France
Factors include the UK traffic light scheme and a similar French ' tricolore' scheme, as well as national and EU plans for health passes to ease travel
Rules for travel from France to non-EU countries vary, though the 'tricolore' scheme is intended to simplify them
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Travel rules this summer remain in flux and we will provide regular updates here on our website.
The UK traffic light scheme and a similar French tricolore scheme, due to launch on June 9, are considered, as well as national and EU plans for health passes to ease travel.
Travel from France
It is possible to travel freely to other EU countries under French rules but with all destinations you should check requirements on arrival on this government site. Germany, for example, requires a 10-day quarantine.
A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure should be shown on return to France.
Rules for travel to non-EU countries vary, though the tricolore scheme is intended to simplify them.
Travelling to a short list of seven countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Australia, is similar to EU countries, but those returning are asked to voluntarily self-isolate for seven days, then take a PCR test.
For the rest of the world, an urgent reason is needed. Rules on return are as above or stricter, with an obligatory 10-day quarantine if returning from places such as Brazil and India.
Read more: What could France’s traffic light plan mean for summer travel abroad?
Travel to France
It is not yet possible to visit for holidays from non-EU countries, apart from the short list above. France is expected to follow a unified EU plan on June 9 and classify countries as red, amber or green. Green means easy travel, amber means travel is possible for vaccinated visitors (conditions for others is not yet known) and red means no holiday travel. A green listing is set by factors such as a 14-day case rate of less than 75/100,000. This does not currently include the US.
France is considering listing the UK as amber due to the spread of the Indian variant.
France’s current amber listing by the UK means it is not a recommended destination, which invalidates some travel insurance and means a 10-day quarantine and two tests on return to the UK. If it changes to green, there is no quarantine and only one test. Testing and quarantine rules for entry to France are the same as for returning French residents as outlined above.
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