Last update : June 8th, 2021

The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron announced on April 29 a lifting of the lockdown in four progressive stages, from May 3 to June 30, conditioned to the health situation in each department of metropolitan France.

Travel to France

From June 9, 2021: Regulations for entering France

From June 9th, new regulations are applying to entry into France, depending on the health situation in the third countries and the vaccination of travelers. The countries are classified according to the spread of the virus and divided into different colors: green, orange and red. A classification of countries has been defined on the basis of health indicators. The lists of countries are likely to be adapted according to the evolution of their epidemic situation.

• "Green" countries: no active traffic of the virus, no variants of concern identified. European Area, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea. Vaccinated travelers from these countries can enter the France without a PCR test. Travelers who have not been vaccinated must have a negative PCR or antigen test result of less than 72 hours. Please note any deviating regulations for entering Corsica and the French overseas territories (see below).

• "Orange" countries: active circulation of the virus in controlled proportions, without the spread of variants of concern. All countries, excluding "green" and "red" countries. Vaccinated travelers from these countries must have a negative PCR test that is less than 72 hours old or a negative antigenic PCR test that is less than 48 hours old. Travelers who have not been vaccinated must provide a compelling reason for entry.

• "Red" countries: active circulation of the virus, presence of variants of concern. Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkey, Uruguay. Travelers from these countries, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not, must show a compelling reason for red countries to enter French territory as well as to provide a negative PCR test that is less than 72 hours old or a negative antigenic PCR test that is less than 48 hours old, systematic antigen test and 7-day self-isolation.

For more details on the classification of countries, as well as the conditions of access, see the website of the French government.

Vaccination certificate

Vaccinated travelers from a green zone require proof of vaccination upon entry, but no longer require a test. Only the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are recognized as proof of vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson). The proof of vaccination is only recognized if the following schedule can be recognized as complete:

• 2 weeks after the 2nd injection for dual injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
• 4 weeks after the injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);
• 2 weeks after injection for people who already had Covid-19 (only 1 injection required)

As of proof of vaccination, you should definitely have your vaccination certificate with you. It is planned to find a uniform regulation at European level and to introduce a digital vaccination certificate. From July 1st, the European vaccination certificate will be recognized.

People who have not been vaccinated need a negative PCR or antigen test to enter France, which must not be older than 72 hours. When traveling by air, the departure of the first flight (when traveling by air with connecting flights) is decisive. In addition, travelers must carry a sworn statement.

As far as the test and quarantine obligation on the return journey are concerned, they are regulated by the respective home country.

Travelling to Corsica

A specific system has been put in place for travel to Corsica. Since June 9, people from 11 years old wishing to travel to Corsica will have to complete a Declaration on their honor and present a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 or, for unvaccinated people, the negative result of an RT-PCR test carried out less than 72 hours or an antigenic test less than 48 hours before boarding. These documents (paper or digital version via the TousAntiCovid application) must be presented to the transport company upon boarding. Self-test results are not valid and the certificate of recovery following contamination by covid-19 is not accepted.

Overseas Territories and Departments

Any trip to overseas territories must be justified by an compelling reason:

• personal/family
• health
• professional

A negative PCR test result up to 72 hours old must be shown before boarding a flight to these areas. Parallel to the relaxation of the corona measures in France and on the basis of an analysis of the epidemiological situation and the progress of the vaccinations in the individual overseas regions, the government has decided after consultation to ease the regulations regarding the compelling reasons that justify a trip and reduce quarantine measures for travelers between overseas territories and France.

From overseas territories to France:

• Saint-Pierre and Miquelon: The mandatory reasons for entry have been lifted since May 19.
• Saint Barthélémy: compelling reasons lifted on June 1st.
• Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique: The mandatory reasons for entry will be lifted on June 9th.
• Reunion Island, Mayotte, French Polynesia: Urgent reasons for entry will be lifted for vaccinated persons on June 9th.
• French Guiana, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna: the overriding reasons remain in place.

From France to the overseas territories:

• Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Saint-Barthélémy: The overriding reasons were lifted on May 19.
• Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique: compelling reasons no longer apply on June 9th.
• Reunion, Mayotte, French Polynesia: compelling reasons will be lifted on June 9th for vaccinated persons.
• French Guiana, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna: the overriding reasons remain in place.

When traveling by air from France to the French overseas territories, the PCR test result, which was carried out 72 hours before boarding, is still mandatory. Due to the curfew in France, travelers going to an airport to catch a flight to overseas territories must be able to present the flight ticket and a document that can be used to justify the trip.

The Ministry of Overseas Territories encourages travellers to check the website of the prefecture or high commission for the latest restrictions in place overseas. In addition, the Ministry of Overseas Territories invites people wishing to travel to an overseas territory to find out in advance on the website of the prefecture or the high commission on the restrictions on site in order to fight against the epidemic of Covid-19.

"Barrier gestures" to be observed to limit the spread of the coronavirus

There are simple actions to protect your health and the health of those around you:

• Wash your hands very regularly;
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow;
• Use disposable tissues and throw them away;
• Greet others without shaking hands, avoid hugs;
• Wear a mask when you are sick;
• Wear a mask in closed public places, public transport, taxis and rideshare programs, in shops and in places deemed relevant by the prefects of each department depending on the local epidemic situation.