Coronavirus Update Holidays to France 

28 March 2022

The latest Covid changes for travel to France

If you are fully vaccinated: you can travel with no restrictions. Fully vaccinated means that you have had your booster jab or your second jab was taken no more than 270 days (9 months) before your holiday. You will need to show proof of vaccination which can be obtained with the NHS Covid Pass and complete a ‘sworn statement’ that they are symptom free, which can be downloaded from the French government website.

12 to 17s: who are fully vaccinated can travel with no restrictions. 12 to 17s who are not vaccinated don’t need an essential reason to travel, but will need to produce a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of their departure, or a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their departure, and complete the sworn statement.

Under 12s: there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions for under 12s.

Unvaccinated adults: If you have not been vaccinated you need an essential reason to travel, and provide a negative lateral flow test (taken with 48 hours) or a PCR test (within 72 hours), and complete the sworn statement.

Testing requirements for coming back to the UK

The testing rules for returning to England, Wales and Scotland are all slightly different.

RETURNING TO ENGLAND OR SCOTLAND

From 11 February 2022, fully vaccinated adults and children aged 17 and under do not need to take a COVID test or self isolate.

Unvaccinated adults must show proof of a negative COVID test taken no more than two days before you travel, and book and pay for a PCR tests to be taken by Day 2 of your return. If you test positive, you must quarantine for the standard period.

Full details: Gov.uk – arriving in England or Gov.Scot – Arriving in Scotland

RETURNING TO WALES

If you are fully vaccinated or aged 5 to 17 and returning to Wales, you must take a lateral flow test by Day 2 of your return, and isolate for 10 days if you are positive. The Welsh Government recommend that you isolate until your test result is confirmed.

In you are not fully vaccinated, you must take a pre-departure lateral flow test within 48 hours before travelling to Wales and present proof of your negative result on arrival. Travellers must then take PCR tests on Day 2 and Day of 8 their arrival in Wales, and isolate for 10 days.

Full details: Gov.Wales – arriving in Wales

Useful links

From the Gov website: rules for entering England

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

TESTING KITS

The Gov website states that people wanting Covid tests for travelling must pay for their own tests.

You can find a list of private testing providers here on the Gov website.

More useful links about travel to France:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/