The French parliament approved the implementation of a vaccine passport scheme across France on 16 January 2022. Coming into force on 24 January 2022, the new law will require individuals to present a certificate of vaccination when entering public spaces such as restaurants and bars, cinemas, museums and galleries, and long-distance trains. Previously, individuals were able to present either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result. The latter will no longer be accepted for anyone over aged 15. Individuals will also have to present a form of photo ID when their vaccine passport is being scanned.

The vaccine passport, known as a pass vaccinal in French, will not be required to take public transport or to go shopping, nor to see a medical professional (though individuals are still required to present a negative Covid test in order to be seen by medical professionals).

All vaccines recognised by the European Medicines Agency will be compatible with the new vaccine passport.

France will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November or after to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully, if domestic certification is required. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

Those vaccinated in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can also choose to scan and save the NHS QR code into France’s “TousAntiCovid” app.

Please refer to instructions from both the French government and also your home country’s local French embassy for details on converting a non-EU vaccine certificate into a French/EU vaccine certificate.

Photo: la-croix.com

If you find yourself in need of a Covid-19 test in Paris, you have many options to choose from.

Antigen (also known as lateral flow) tests administered by a pharmacy

These are rapid tests which provide a result within 15 to 30 minutes. They are widely available and the cheaper option.

Most pharmacies across the city offer antigen tests without an appointment.

If you do not have French health insurance, the test will cost between 22 and 30 euros. If you do not have French health insurance, but you do have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a the new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), present this at the pharmacy as you may be eligible for a reduced rate.

There are also many testing tents (see above photo) in main streets which provide tests with out appointments. Often you will scan a QR code and fill in a form whilst waiting in line for the test.

Self-administered antigen (lateral flow) test

Known as an autotest in French, these types of tests are sold in pharmacies and are widely available.

Sold individually for 5 euros or in kits of 5 tests for around 20 euros, these tests are the cheapest options currently available if you do not have French health insurance.

You will not receive a certificate with this type of test and so they cannot be used if you intend to travel.

PCR tests administered by a pharmacy or laboratory

PCR tests take longer to receive a result (around 24 hours) and are more expensive but may be required for travel to certain countries and are considered more accurate.

These tests are carried out by medical professionals in laboratories, private clinics or testing centres.

PCR tests cost from €44, and up to €80. If you do not have French health insurance, but you do have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a the new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), present this at the pharmacy as you may be eligible for a reduced rate.

The French government have a website allowing you to search for testing locations near you: https://www.sante.fr/cf/centres-depistage-covid/departement-75-paris.html

Select your departement (75 for Paris), your test type (RT-PCR or Antigenique) and open to everyone (ouverts à tout public)

You will be able to see a drop down from each testing location giving details such as address, opening hours, and whether they require an appointment (uniquement avec rendez-vous) or not (sans rendez-vous).

They will likely provide a website or phone number to book an appointment, if required.

Alternatively, you can book a PCR test through the Doctolib app or on Doctolib.fr

Log in or create an account and then search for dépistage PCR or dépistage antigénique and search for test appointment slots near you. It will show a screen like the one below.

 

Image: Cecile D. Sortir à Paris.

This is a short guide for students joining us this January who are arriving from the UK.

If you are travelling to France from a country other than the UK, please view current guidance from the French government here: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coming-to-france-your-covid-19-questions-answered/

The below information is specific to travel to France from the United Kingdom only.

The rules for vaccinated travellers have changed as of Friday 14 January 2022:

• You do not need to present a motif impérieux (compelling reason) to enter France.
• You do not need to complete a passenger locator form.
• You do not need to isolate on arrival in France.

Vaccinated travellers must provide at border control:

Make sure you check your travel provider’s website for their own Covid requirements.

 

*This cannot be a NHS test. It must be a private PCR or antigen (lateral flow) test that will provide you with a “fit to fly/travel” certificate. Your travel provider will most likely be able to provide a list of test providers – but do not wait until the last minute to book!

 

 

For unvaccinated travellers see below:

Booking journey and accommodation

You will need to book your train or flight and read up on your travel provider’s own Covid requirements on their website.

If you have not yet sorted longer-term accommodation, you may wish to book accommodation for the first 10 days as the current French government restrictions require UK travellers to isolate for up to 10 days.

Pre-departure Testing

All travellers coming from the UK to France must take a PCR or antigen test within 24 hours of departure.

This cannot be an NHS test. You will need to book a test that will provide you with a “fit to fly/travel” certificate. Your travel provider will most likely be able to provide a list of test providers – but do not wait until the last minute to book!

Documents to bring with you

Prepare all the documents you will need to present at border control.

They can be found here: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel

• Form detailing your “compelling reason” or pressing grounds to enter France:
  • If you have a French visa, tick the box “Third-country citizens who hold a valid French or European residence permit or long-stay visa ………. “
  • If you did not apply for a visa, tick the box “Students enrolled in French as a foreign language (FLE) courses prior to enrolment higher education, or admitted to the orals of competitive examinations in French higher education institutions, or enrolled for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year……..”
• Proof of your “compelling reason” to enter France
  • this will be your visa or your status letter from the Kent Paris Office if you did not apply for a visa.
• Passenger Locator Form (eOS): this is a form similar to the current UK passenger locator form and requires you to provide details of your address and contact details and will then produce a form with a QR code which you will be required to present for inspection at border control.
• Sworn Statement: this form must be compeleted and signed to state that you have no symptoms of covid and have not been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

Isolating in France

All travellers arriving from the UK must self-isolate on arrival in France, either for 48 hours following your arrival, or for a full 10 days:

• You can “test out” of isolation by taking a Covid test 2 days (48 hours) after your arrival. More information on testing can be found below!
• If you do not take a test, you must isolate for 10 days following your arrival. the day of arrival is Day 0.
• If you test positive, you must adhere to the normal rules of isolation following a positive test which are detailed here: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coming-to-france-your-covid-19-questions-answered/isolation-testing-attending-events-what-are-the-rules-in-france/

Test to Release

If you chose to take a PCR or antigen test after 48 hours of arrival in France, you have many options to choose from.

If you are not registered with French national health inusrance:

• PCR tests cost from €44
• Antigen tests cost €22 to €30

Most pharmacies across the city offer antigen tests without an appointment.

There are also many testing tents in main streets which provide tests with out appointments. Often you will scan a QR code and fill in a form whilst waiting in line for the test.

We recommend taking an antigen test as they are widely available, cheaper, and you will have your results within 30 minutes or so.