The Department of State has issued COVID-19 Traveler Information and advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide.
COVID-19 Information
Last updated: 06/10/2021
*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
Country-Specific Information
- France remains under a Level 3 – Avoid all non-essential travel to this destination travel advisory.
- France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.
- As of June 9, vaccinated travelers residing in the United States (as well as minor children under 17 accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian) can fly to France and will not need to quarantine upon arrival. Such travelers will need to present BOTH:
- Proof of vaccination (currently only the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted). Travelers must be fully vaccinated, which occurs two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca, and four weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson; AND Either a negative COVID PCR test conducted within the 72 hours prior to departure OR a negative COVID antigen test performed within the 48 hours prior to departure.
- NOTE: At this time, we do not have official information from the French government, but the French Consulate General in Washington, D.C. said in a tweet that the CDC card is acceptable evidence of vaccination for entry into France.
- Travelers who are not vaccinated are not permitted to enter France unless they show a qualifying compelling reason for travel. The list of qualifying compelling reasons can be found at the website of the French Ministry of Interior. Travelers from other nations, regardless of vaccination status, should check on the website for the current rules that apply to the country from which they will be starting their trip.
- All adults (age 18 and above) living in France are currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. See “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” below.
- A nationwide curfew remains in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. During the curfew you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work, medical appointments, essential family duties such as caring for children or the elderly, walking a pet, or other limited reasons and you must carry an exemption certificate. Schools are in session, although some high schools are only at 50 percent in-person.
- As of June 9, the Government of France has announced cafés, bars, and restaurants are allowed to re-open with capacity restrictions. Museums, theaters, cinemas, monuments, stores, and sporting events may also reopen, but may be subject to capacity restrictions and/or presentation of a health pass. Individual departements may see heightened restrictions if their local health conditions deteriorate.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in France? Yes.
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes.
- COVID viral (PCR) testing is available at many laboratories and testing centers, usually by appointment. Many pharmacies can do serologic (antigen/ rapid) tests. PCR tests generally cost between 70 and 100 euros, payable in advance.
- All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. The CDC has also issued this checklist on the types of tests or documentation acceptable for airline travel.
- Waivers to the testing requirement may be granted by the CDC on an extremely limited basis. Please go here for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of France approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes.
- Are vaccines available in France for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes. Non-French citizens, including those who are not registered in the French health care system but who fall into one of the current criteria (see below), can be vaccinated at a vaccination center but may be charged for the vaccine. You can download a letter stating your eligibility as a U.S. citizen (if you are otherwise qualified) here. Vaccination is voluntary.
- Which vaccines are available in France? Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
- France has begun its COVID-19 vaccination program. Vaccinations are being offered to various groups per the French government vaccine rollout plan. Currently, vaccines are being offered to everyone age 18 and over, and certain 16–18-year-olds with specified underlying conditions may also receive the vaccine. A more detailed list is available on the sante.fr website.
- Beginning June 15, all 12-18-year-olds living in France will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, according to an announcement by President Macron on June 2.
- People who fall into a qualifying group may register for a vaccine appointment several ways: online at sante.fr; via the Doctolib, Maiia, and KelDoc apps; by phone at 0800 009 110; and with their doctor. Be aware, the U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system.
- The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No.
- France has closed its borders to travel to and from countries outside the “European Area” (EU members along with Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican), with the exception of the U.K., Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore.
- However, under new rules that went into effect June 9, certain travelers may now be admitted, depending on conditions in the country of origin of their trip and the travelers vaccination status. All countries are color coded, either green, red, or orange. A country’s color, and thus condition to enter France, can change quickly. Please verify the country’s status.
- Green countries (currently EU members along with Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the Vatican, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore). Fully vaccinated travelers coming from these countries can enter with no extra entry requirements. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated require a negative PCR test performed within the 72 hours before entering France. This includes land and sea travelers as well as air travelers. There is no quarantine requirement.
- Red countries (currently Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Suriname, Turkey, and Uruguay): Fully vaccinated travelers are allowed in only with a compelling reason for travel (see “Compelling Reason” below), a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) performed within the 48 hours before departure, and must quarantine for seven days after arrival and take a second COVID test at the end of the quarantine. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers are restricted to certain categories of travelers who must show a compelling reason for travel. These travelers must present a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) performed within the 48 hours before departure, and must quarantine for ten days after arrival (this quarantine will be enforced by police checks at the quarantine location).
- Orange countries (all other countries, including the United States). Fully vaccinated travelers need only proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test (either a PCR test performed in the 72 hours before departure or an antigen test performed in the 48 hours before departure); no quarantine is necessary. France has not yet officially announced what acceptable proof of vaccination will be for travelers vaccinated in the United States, but a tweet from the French Consulate General in Washington said the CDC card would be acceptable. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must show they are essential travelers with a compelling reason for travel. All such travelers must have a travel attestation available at the Ministry of Interior website. These forms define the categories of essential travelers and compelling reasons. Tourism and family visits are not considered compelling travel.
- Children: Travelers under age 11 are treated as vaccinated regardless of their vaccination status. Travelers ages 11 through 17 are treated as vaccinated if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian. Travelers in this age group traveling independently must meet the rules applicable to adult travelers.
- Accepted Vaccines: Accepted Vaccines: Currently only the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted for entry into France. Travelers must also be fully vaccinated, which occurs two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca, and four weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson.
- Compelling Reasons and Essential Travelers: The list of qualifying compelling reasons and essential travelers can be found at the website of the French Ministry of Interior. It is located on the attestation page for travelers entering France. Note that different rules may apply depending on the country of origin of travel; please ensure you select the correct travel attestation. Unvaccinated travelers attempting to enter without a compelling reason may be denied entry and detained in an immigration detention center until they can be returned to their point of departure.
- In rare cases, the French government will consider allowing travel in humanitarian situations and in cases of business activity important to the French economy, and have announced a program to allow unmarried couples to reunite. Persons may inquire about such allowances with the French Embassy in Washington, DC (visas@consulfrance-washington.org).
- The United States Embassy has no standing to intervene or advocate for the private travel of United States citizens to France. Please contact your nearest French Embassy or French Consulate or refer to France Visas. If you are already in France, please contact your nearest Prefecture or refer to the Ministry of the Interior or Prefecture de Police.
- Anyone entering France or transiting through France must have an attestation, available here. You do not need an endorsement from the Embassy for this attestation.
- Transit passengers through Charles De Gaulle Airport are being allowed under certain conditions. Transiting passengers may not leave the international zone and will not be admitted to France. Luggage must be checked through to your final destination. You will not be permitted to leave the international zone to collect and recheck baggage. The duration of transit must be less than 24 hours. For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- France Residents Traveling Outside France: On June 9, France dropped the compelling reason requirement for fully vaccinated travelers from France traveling to orange countries (including the United States). Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers will still need to show a compelling reason for travel.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
- All travelers, except fully vaccinated travelers arriving from green countries, must present results of a negative COVID test. The type of test and the time frame for the test vary depending on the color classification of the country and vaccination status of the traveler. Please see the information above under Entry and Exit requirements.
- Please note this testing requirement applies only to travelers who are otherwise allowed to travel to France.
- For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (English version).
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes.
- France is performing temperature checks and there are two Covid-19 testing centers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris-Orly. Departing passengers wishing to get a test at the airport must make an appointment online (doctolib.fr). According to Paris Aéroport, results for the PCR test are available within 48 hours and within 1 to 2 hours for an antigenic test.
Movement Restrictions
- Is a curfew in place? Yes.
- A nationwide curfew remains in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. During the curfew you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work, medical appointments, essential family duties such as caring for children or the elderly, walking a pet, or other limited reasons and you must carry an exemption certificate. Schools are in session, although some high schools are only at 50 percent in-person.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.
- U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States can do so. All U.S. citizens and other travelers over the age of two will need to present a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test result or evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to boarding the plane. Test samples must be collected within the 3 calendar days before the flight departs. Please see the CDC announcement for more information.
- In addition, France has imposed movement or travel controls on several of its overseas territories and departments. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Quarantine Information
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes.
- Quarantine requirements vary depending on the country where travel originated and the vaccination status of the traveler. Please see Entry and Exit requirements above for more information.
- Beginning June 9, fully vaccinated travelers (and minors under age 11) from a green or orange list country will no longer be required to quarantine. All other travelers will still need to quarantine.
- Travelers arriving from certain countries face a heightened, 10-day quarantine that may be enforced by police or other government authorities. These countries are Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay. Special testing and quarantine rules also apply to visitors arriving from the United Kingdom. See information at the French Ministry of Interior website (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel).
Transportation Options
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes.
- Face coverings are required on all public transportation and in all public spaces, including in the stations.
- Failing to wear face covering where required can result in a 135 Euro fine (approximately $165).
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may return to the United States. Contact your airline for updated status on your scheduled flight(s). Note that on January 25, 2021, President Biden issued Presidential Proclamation 10143, which updates a previous proclamation issued in March 2020. This proclamation does not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. In addition, certain family members of U.S. citizens are also exempted.
- U.S. citizens and all other travelers over the age of two will need to present a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test result or evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to boarding the plane. Test samples must be collected within the 3 calendar days before the flight departs. Please see the CDC announcement for more information.
Fines for Non-Compliance
- Non-compliance with the mask, curfew, or lockdown requirements can lead to a fine of 135 Euros (approximately $165) for a first offense. Repeat offenders can be fined up to 1500 Euros (about $1,825).
Consular Operations
- American Citizen Services: The U.S. Embassy in Paris and the Consulate Generals in Marseille and Strasbourg have resumed the following regular services – passport processing, reports of birth abroad, notary actions, voting assistance, and federal benefits assistance (Paris). United States citizens should see the corresponding pages on this website to make appointments for these services.
- Visa Services: Limited visa services are available in critical travel categories, including students and investors. Most travel from the Schengen area – including France – to the United States remains suspended at this time. For more information, or to schedule a visa appointment, please see: https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas/
Local Resources:
- U.S. citizens may monitor English-language French media at the following:
- Other links: COVID-19 Traveler Information on travel.state.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information regarding COVID-19
- Travel.state.gov Country Information on France
