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.