What You Need to Know About the French Vaccine Pass
Modified 4 February 2022
UPDATE:
While we have attempted to provide you with up-to-date information on the current situation in regards to COVID-19, we highly suggest that you do your own research for the relevant government sites as well as with your airline or insurer.
Since the pandemic began, information surrounding it was ever-changing. 2 years down the line, not much has changed – things are still constantly changing and still quite confusing. We wanted to be sure to update this post so that you had the latest information concerning your trip to France. You can still get your le pass vaccinal aka vaccine pass (once called passe sanitaire). You can get this vaccine pass (which is a QR code) at pharmacies throughout the country and it is needed to enter most establishments: restaurants, cafes, public transportation, museums, entertainment venues, etc. Before you could have a negative COVID test but that no longer cuts it. You will need a valid passport and the paper version of the original vaccination certificate.
If you are traveling from the U.S., only vaccinated people will be allowed to enter France (unless they have an essential reason). Vaccinated travelers will have to submit a health declaration form and a negative PCR or antigen test 48 hours in advance. Unvaccinated minors from the U.S. are allowed to enter France but if they are 12 years and older they will need to submit a negative PCR or antigen test.
To be considered fully vaccinated, tourists must have had a booster jab if the final dose of the vaccine was over 9 months ago.
France is starting to relax a bit and it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outside. Masks are still required on public transportation and indoors for now.
UPDATE:
Important: As of the 15th of December 2021, people aged 65 years or more and who completed their initial vaccination scheme more than 7 months ago will need to present proof of a booster dose to be eligible to receive a vaccine equivalency health pass. This also applies to people aged 18 years or more and who were vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine more than 2 months ago.
Note: Before traveling to France you should apply for the French health pass via email if you are 12 and older and not an EU citizen. You will need to send a scanned copy of:
- Your vaccination certificate
- Passport
- Travel tickets (return)
- Application form
You can send all of this information to the emails below:
- United States: area1.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Canada: area2.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Rest of the world: area3.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr
In the subject line, you MUST put: Country of residence/ Last name, First name/ Date of arrival in France DD/MM/21
Don’t forget to add your attachments and the entire email MUST NOT be more than 10MB.
You will then receive an email with a QR code that can be printed on paper or added to the app TousAntiCovid.
If you are in France, remember you can do an antigen test (found at local pharmacies) and if negative, this will work as a health pass for up to 72 hours.
You can find out more info from the government site here.
If you are traveling to France sometime soon from the United States or Canada, then I am sure you have heard of the French health pass, pass sanitaire. If not, donโt worry. We have got you covered.ย
Since August 9, 2021, you will need a French health pass (pass sanitaire) and it will be required to enter bars, restaurants, cafes even with an outdoor terrace, museums, malls, and for long-distance travel by plane, train, or bus. It will not be needed for the Paris subway.
For EU citizens:
-Proof that a person has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least a week ago with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or 4 weeks with Johnson & Johnson.
-Proof that a person has already recovered from the virus having tested positive more than eleven days & less than six months ago.
-Proof that a person has received a negative test result in the past 48 hours.
For NON-EU citizens:
-Proof of full vaccination from your country of origin, and your ID. At least 1 week after the 2nd dose (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca). 28 days after Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 1 week after injection for people who have already had Covid-19 (1 dose only).
UPDATE: If you are a foreigner visiting France and are fully vaccinated or meet the requirements listed above, you can now also obtain your passe sanitaire while in France at many locations throughout the country. To find out where to apply for your pass and for more up-to-date information from the French government on requirements, please visit Sante.fr’s How to Obtain a French Health Pass
As always, be sure to wear your mask where necessary (outdoors is not necessary), wash your hands frequently, and keep a safe distance away from others. The France government website has a lot of great information to stay up to date on the pass sanitaire and COVID19.
Let us know if you got the French health pass and how was your experience?
Our staff is fully vaccinated and we are taking your health and ours very seriously. If you are interested in French cooking classes in Paris? Book a class with Cookโn With Class Parisย โ small group sizes, classes all in English.
