Note that there are both French and U.S. provisions for travel. Both will impact your ability to travel as a U.S. Citizen.

United States Requirements:

• Get a Test: A COVID-19 test is required within three days before departure. Check the CDC website for additional information.
• Quarantine: You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States if you are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved in the United States. If you are not immunized, check with the Department of Health requirements for your destination state, as states can impose additional requirements.
• Take Note: U.S. citizens are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10143, which restricts most immigrants and nonimmigrants in the Schengen Zone from entering into the United States.

French Requirements:

• Sign An Attestation: U.S. citizens may return to the United States (their country of origin) with a signed attestation available here.
• Take Note: Non-U.S. citizens who are immediate family of U.S. citizens may be blocked from traveling unless demonstrating a “compelling reason,” as defined by the French border closing regulation of January 29, 2021.
• Take Note: U.S. citizens who depart France without showing a compelling reason –as defined by the French regulations –may be barred from returning to France (see our website on the French border closure).

 

French Requirements

• Travel Restricted: Most United States citizens cannot travel to France at this time due to broad travel restrictions. Only essential travel is allowed, including entry by French citizens, residents of France, foreign (including United States citizen) students (with appropriate visa or residence permit), and spouses and children of French citizens.
• Borders Closed: Additionally, under the January 29 border closure, entry from the United States must fit into specific categories, outlined here in English and in the regulations detailed in French.

If permitted to travel under rare exception:

• Sign an Attestation: An attestation is required.
• Get a Test: COVID-19 PCR test required.
• Quarantine: A seven-day self-isolation is required upon arrival and a test again at the end of this period.

United States Travel Advisory

• Take Note: The Department of State has issued a Level Three Advisory (reconsider travel) for France.

If your 90 days of visa-free Schengen travel/other types of visa is expiring

• The U.S. Embassy does not have the authority to grant French visa extensions or make determinations about French or EU immigration rules. You must talk to your local prefecture to request a visa extension. Please visit the French government website for English-speakers in France for more information on this topic.

 

If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19

• Review the guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Dial 15 for emergency services in France if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Do not go directly to an emergency department, doctor’s office, or clinic.

 

Recent confinement rules

• The Government of France has imposed a stay-at-home curfew from 18:00 (6 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. for all of France.
• During the curfew you may only leave for limited reasons and you must carry an exemption certificate.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccination

• The U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system.
• Vaccinations are being offered to various groups per the French government vaccine rollout plan.  Information on who is prioritized is available on the sante.fr website.
• 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. You can download a letter stating your eligibility as a U.S. citizen (if you are otherwise qualified) here.
• 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.

For more information from the Embassy

• Make sure you are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and ensure you can be located in an emergency. Keep checking this website for up-to-date information.  U.S. citizens may also email us at citizeninfo@state.gov.

Watch our website

• The Embassy frequently updates our COVID-19 information page.