Border Restrictions : Moving to France is Still Possible !
During these uncertain times, many of us are left wondering about if, when, and where we can travel. What are the rules? Where can we go? Which borders are open? And do we have to quarantine when we leave and when we come back? Well Lodgis has gathered the official rules and regulations required to enter France to help answer your questions about your move to Paris. To see more information from the French Government, click HERE.
Legend: yellow = France; green = countries with no travel restrictions to enter France; orange = countries with travel restrictions to enter France (virus tests, quarantine, or both); grey = countries not specifically mentioned by the government but still have travel restrictions.
Foreign Nationals Entering France
For foreign nationals entering France, your situation will highly depend on the level of circulation of the virus in the country that you are currently in.
If you are arriving from a country on the list below, you can enter France without any COVID-19-related restrictions or paperwork.
Member States of the European Union, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Georgia, the Holy See, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
If you are arriving from a country other than those listed above, you can only enter France if your travel itinerary meets one of the following criteria for an exception:
- If you are a French national (your spouse and children can come with you as well);
- If you are a European Union citizen or a citizen of Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, and your main residence is in France or you are crossing France to reach your country of nationality or residence (again, your spouse and children can come with you);
- If you hold a valid French or European residence permit or long-stay visa and your main residence is in France or you are crossing France to reach your residence in the European space;
- If you are traveling for less than 24 hours in an international zone;
- If you are a member of a delegation on official travel, or of a diplomatic or consular mission, or of an international organization that has its headquarters in France or the European Union (your children and spouse can come with you as well);
- If you are a foreign health professional helping to fight COVID-19;
- If you are a member of crew or personnel operating passenger or cargo flights, or travelling as a passenger to reach your departure base;
- If you are transporting international goods;
- If you are a passenger coach or train driver or crew member;
- If you are a member of crew or personnel operating a merchant or fishing vessel;
- If you are a student with a long-stay visa or short-stay visa (VCS) for study or placements or coming for less than 90 days from a country exempted from VCS requirements, and you can prove you have accommodation in France;
- If you are a professor or researcher employed or invited by a French higher education establishment or research laboratory and you are travelling for study and teaching purposes;
- If you have a “Talent Passport” long-stay visa.
For your arrival in France, you need to fill out and carry two documents:
- An exempted international movement certificate for travel to France. You must present this certificate to travel companies before using your ticket, as well as to border control authorities (for travel by air, sea and land, including by train);
- A sworn declaration that you do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
These documents can be downloaded in French and English from the Ministry of the Interior’s website.
Moreover, depending on your point of departure and if you are 11 years old or older, you will be subject to a test prior to boarding or upon arrival:
- Bahrain, Panama, United Arab Emirates or United States of America: you will have to present a negative PCR test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure, prior to boarding. You will not be able to board without this document.
- Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, India, Israel, Kirghizstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Qatar, Serbia, South Africa or Turkey: you will have to either present a negative PCR test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure, or submit to such a test at the airport upon arrival in France.
For countries not on the above lists, you are encouraged to undertake a PCR test prior to travel or in the airport upon arrival. If not, you will be asked to comply with a two-week quarantine at your place of residence or in a suitable accommodation facility.In all cases, the usual travel restrictions apply (visas, duration of stay, etc.).
Other rules apply to travel to and from French overseas territories (see more).
Quarantine Measures Upon Entering France
If you are arriving from a country on the list below and have not visited a country not on the list in the month prior to your arrival in France, you will not be subject to a quarantine period.
Member States of the European Union, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Georgia, the Holy See, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
If you are arriving from another country or have visited another country in the month prior to your arrival, you will be subject to a two-week quarantine period if:
- You have symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival; or
- You cannot present a negative PCR test, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
Travelers are asked to show civic responsibility and to follow the health precautions recommended by the authoritiesThese are the rules and regulations as they stand but for more information and updates please feel free to check the French Government’s official website.
