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: 04/06/2021
*** 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 has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.
- The Government of France has extended the current lockdown for 19 departments for all of metropolitan France effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 3. The current nationwide curfew will remain in effect from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. Under the lockdown provisions, you are limited to travel within 10 km of your residence during the day and you must carry proof of address. Interregional travel is banned beginning the evening of April 5. Non-essential services are closed for the month of April. Schools will move to distance learning the week of April 5, and spring break for schools nationwide is moved to April 12-23. Preschools and elementary schools are scheduled to reopen in person April 26, while middle and high school classes will return to distance learning until May 3. Limited social gatherings of up to six people are allowed outside. Any travel beyond 10 km during the day requires an approved reason as listed on an attestation form. The nightly curfew is from 19:00 (7 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. 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.
- The Government of France has closed its borders for travel to non-European countries with the exception of U.K., Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore. All travelers must show a compelling personal, familial, medical, or professional reason to travel. U.S. citizens and residents can return to the United States, but will not be allowed to enter or reenter France without showing a qualifying compelling reason. Please read our update on French closure of borders for travel to Non-European countries for more information.
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.
- 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 55 and over. A more detailed list is available on the sante.fr website.
- 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 your doctor, although this option may not yet be available. Be aware, the U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
- 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 U.K., Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore. Under these restrictions, travelers from the United States and all other excluded countries, 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,
- 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.
- All travelers, even those arriving from Europe, must present results of a negative PCR test, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
- 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.
- The Government of France has extended the current lockdown for 19 departments for all of metropolitan France effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 3. The current nationwide curfew will remain in effect from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. Under the lockdown provisions, you are limited to travel within 10 km of your residence during the day and you must carry proof of address. Interregional travel is banned beginning the evening of April 5. Non-essential services are closed for the month of April. Schools will move to distance learning the week of April 5, and spring break for schools nationwide is moved to April 12-23. Preschools and elementary schools are scheduled to reopen in person April 26, while middle and high school classes will return to distance learning until May 3. Limited social gatherings of up to six people are allowed outside. Any travel beyond 10 km during the day requires an approved reason as listed on an attestation form. The nightly curfew is from 19:00 (7 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. 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.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes.
- Yes. Under the current lockdown, you are limited to travel within 10 km of your residence during the day and you must carry proof of address.
- For permitted interstate travel, you must show a negative COVID-19 test. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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
