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: 01/19/21
*** 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 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.
Country-Specific Information
- France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.
- The Government of France has imposed a stay-at-home curfew. Beginning January 16, the curfew is from 18:00 (6 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. for all of France. During the curfew you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work/school, 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.
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. Some pharmacies can do serologic tests. PCR tests generally cost between 70 and 100 euros, payable in advance.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of France approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes.
- The United States 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.
- 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 residents and staff of the Ehpad public nursing homes, and health care workers, firefighters, and home health workers over age 50. On January 18, people 75 and older and people with serious underlying health issues (such as cancer or kidney failure) will be eligible. A more detailed list is available on the sante.fr website. Even non-French citizens who are not registered in the French health care system but who fall into one of the current criteria can be vaccinated, but may be charged for the vaccine. Vaccination is voluntary. People who fall into a qualifying group may register for a vaccine appointment several ways: online at sante.fr; via the Doctolib, Maiia, and (soon) KelDoc apps; by phone at 0800 009 110; and with your doctor, although this option may not yet be available. People who qualify due to an underlying health issue may be required to obtain a doctor’s prescription if they do not meet the current age cutoff. Vaccinations will take place at vaccine centers which are opening across the country. Be aware, the U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No.
- Broad restrictions on non-essential travel from many countries outside the European Union, including the United States, remain in place. The French government has defined essential travel as entry by French citizens, residents of France, all foreign (including United States citizen) students (with appropriate visa or residence permit), and spouses and children of French citizens.
- 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.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
- As of January 18, 2021, travelers arriving from outside the European Union, including the United States, must present results of a negative PCR test , carried out less than 72 hours before boarding or they will not be allowed to board their transport to France.
- Please note this testing requirement applies only to travelers who are otherwise allowed to travel to France.
- Entry by non-essential travelers is suspended regardless of COVID-19 test status.
- 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.
- Yes, as of January 16, there is a stay-at-home curfew from 18:00 (6 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. During the curfew you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work/school, 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.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.
- There are no restrictions for traveling within France.
- Internal European borders remain open but external borders are closed except for essential travel. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Note that only limited travel is permitted to the United Kingdom (U.K.) from France.
- U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States can do so. Beginning January 26, 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.
- 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.
- Travelers to France will need to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival and test again at the end of the self-isolation period, even if they tested negative prior to boarding. Travelers from certain EU countries experiencing a sharp increase in infections may also be subject to unidentified extra border restrictions.
Transportation Options
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes.
- Cloth face coverings are required on all public transportation and in all public spaces, including in the stations.
- Failing to wear a cloth face covering where required can result in a 135 Euro fine (approximately $165).
- Many French cities now require cloth face coverings in outdoor areas throughout or in designated parts of the city. This includes Paris and its suburbs, where cloth face coverings are required in all outdoor locations. Rules vary by city and can change quickly. Check with the website of each city.
- 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 March 11, updated on March 16, 2020, President Trump issued “Proclamation—Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus” (found at www.whitehouse.gov). 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.
- Beginning January 26, 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:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (in English)
- French Embassy and Consulates
- Ministry of the Interior
- Paris city government COVID information
- Other links:
- COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- France Country Information and Travel Advisory page
