COVID-19 - Restrictions on entering Metropolitan France and its territorial communities
As part of the implementation of the emergency health situation in France, restrictions have been placed on entering Metropolitan France and its territorial communities.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 on entering France, you will be required to carry out compulsory 14-day quarantine.
Can I enter Metropolitan France?
From the European space
There are no restrictions for travel to Metropolitan France from the European space (European Union Member States, United Kingdom, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican).
However, due to reciprocity, if you are coming from the United Kingdom, no restrictions are in place but you will be asked to carry out a 14-day voluntary quarantine.
From a third country
People arriving from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay will no longer be subject to restrictions on the grounds of preventing risks linked to the COVID-19 epidemic when entering Metropolitan France.
This list will be regularly updated, at least every two weeks, in liaison with our European partners, taking account of the recommendations of the Council of the European Union, developments in the health situation and the principle of reciprocity
The external borders of the European space remain closed. Therefore, travel to France from a third country is not possible except for travellers in one of the following situations:
- French citizens, and their spouses and children;
- European Union citizens and citizens of Andorra, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican, with their main residence in France or travelling to the country in which they are a citizen or resident by transiting through France, as well as their partner and children;
- Nationals of a third country with a valid European or French residence permit or long-stay visa with their main residence in France or travelling to their residence in another European Union or equivalent country by transiting through France;
- Residents of a third country, in transit for less than 24 in an international zone to reach their country of origin and having a ticket for that country;
- Personnel of diplomatic and consular missions, as well as international organizations headquartered or having an office in France, and their partners and children;
- Foreign health professionals helping to fight COVID-19;
- Foreign crews and personnel operating passenger and cargo flights, or travelling as passengers to reach their departure base;
- Foreign nationals carrying out international goods transport;
- Foreign navy personnel carrying out international goods transport or working on fishing boats.
To return to metropolitan France, you must fill out and carry with you two documents:
- The exempted international movement certificate for metropolitan France which can be downloaded on the Ministry of the Interior’s website. You must present this certificate to travel companies before using your travel ticket, as well as to border control authorities (for travel by air, sea and land, including by rail).
- A certificate that you do not have COVID-19 symptoms (included in the same document).
Documents authorizing a stay in France which would have expired on 16 March 2020 and 15 June 2020 have been extended for six months.
Can I enter French overseas territories?
Health checks upon entry into the French overseas territories are adapted for each territory.
For further information on exemptions and details for applying these measures, see the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website.