As of 9 August 2021, a pass sanitaire (health pass) is required in France to enter many public places. The French government has made this easier to obtain for foreigners coming to the country. Below are instructions on how you can get your pass either in advance or after you arrive as well as an update on current regulations.
Where the Health Pass is Required
The regulations have been rolled out in various phases. A health pass is required to enter Reid Hall. You will be asked to show your health pass at the following places (non-exhaustive list):
- restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs
- retirement homes, hospitals and medical providers (except in case of emergency)
- long-distance forms of transportation (planes, trains, boats and buses
- cultural events and sites (museums, monuments, cinemas, and theatres)
- sporting facilities (gyms and swimming pools)
- festivals, amusement parks, zoos
- libraries (except specialty university libraries and the National Library (BnF)
A health pass is NOT required for:
- grocery stores and other food shops
- small shops under 20,000 m2
- outdoor free access parks and gardens
- not required for religious services, but is required for cultural events held at churches
- to visit an internist or family doctor
Shopping centres larger than 20,000 m2 are regulated by the local prefect and may require passes.
Obtaining your Health Pass
If you have been vaccinated in the EU, you will already have the QR code proving your vaccination record. This acts as your “health pass” and you will not need to apply via the instructions included here. You can simply show the code in electronic (on your phone) or paper versions at the sites which require a health pass.
UK nationals who have been vaccinated in the UK under the normal vaccination scheme should request their digital “NHS Covid pass”, which is accepted in France in the same fashion as an EU Health Pass. This is available through the NHS app.
For non-EU citizens or non-vaccinated EU citizens. The French pass is issued to people who have proof of a negative covid test or those who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency or one of the equivalents to these vaccines.
Here are the conditions of being fully vaccinated:
- 4 weeks after a one-dose injection (Johnson&Johnson);
- 7 days after the second injection for two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
- 7 days after the injection if you have recovered from COVID-19 (only one dose is necessary);
You can get a health pass from a health professional in France, including pharmacies and vaccine centres (for free). Some pharmacies are now charging a 5-10 euro fee to create a health pass for foreigners, here are some which have been known to create passes:
- La pharmacie Monge, 2 Pl. de la Nation, 75012 Paris
- Pharmacie Les Filles du Calvaire, 2 Bd des Filles du Calvaire, 75011 Paris
- Pharmacy at 105 rue de Rennes, Paris 75006 (near the Paris School)
You can also apply for one via a new online system in advance. This is a relatively new scheme, and protocols are regularly changing. We will do our best to keep you informed of relevant updates and changes.
We recommend applying for your pass as soon as possible as there could be a delay in receiving your health pass and QR code.
Prepare the following documents, in electronic format (jpg/pdf):
- Your vaccination certificate, stating the type of vaccine used
- A scan/image of your passport
- Your travel ticket (return ticket)
- Your student visa
- Your University of Kent status letter
Proceed to this link and follow the online instructions in english, you will need to create an account for France Connect and then you will be able to apply.
https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/passe-sanitaire-etudiants
Image from Le Parisien. Information sourced from www.diplomatie.gouv.fr