France drops COVID-19 testing rule for vaccinated travellers

Love was in the air yesterday (Feb. 14) as Valentine’s Day came and went.

But visiting the city of love just got easier as France, over the weekend, updated its entry rules for fully vaccinated travellers, removing the need to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

On Feb. 12, 2022, the French interior ministry announced that “no more tests will be required on departure” for individuals who have had their full series of shots according to European regulations.

The easing of border rules comes amid what the ministry calls a “new phase” of the pandemic.

READ MORE: Can a COVID recovery certificate replace the 3rd dose in France? Not if you're Canadian

“Faced with the new phase of the pandemic characterized, in most countries, by the predominance of the Omicron variant and a high level of vaccination, the Government has decided to lighten this health control system at the borders, particularly for vaccinated travellers,” the ministry wrote on its website.

Previously, vaccinated travellers from outside of Europe had to show a negative test (PCR or antigen) taken no more than 48 hours before departure.

Travellers still need to show proof of vaccination and a sworn statement that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have not recently been in contact with someone who has the virus.

For unvaccinated travellers, the obligation to present a negative test to travel to France remains, but the measures on arrival (test, isolation) are lifted when they come from countries on the "green" list.

Travellers 18 and older need a booster dose of a vaccine no later than nine months after their initial one or two-dose vaccination series to be considered fully vaccinated by France.

Recovery from COVID-10 is considered equivalent to a booster shot for people who experienced COVID in Europe – but not for those who experienced the illness outside of Europe. (For Canadians, the booster dose is therefore unavoidable). 

Tomorrow (Feb. 16), France will enter the next stage of its reopening timeline, allowing discotheques and standing concerts to reopen.

Consumption will also again be possible in stadiums, cinemas and transport, as well as standing consumption in bars.

France’s “vaccination pass” is been compulsory for people aged 16 and over in places open to the public, such as restaurants, bars and museums.

Canadians visiting France can easily convert their Canada-issued vaccination certificate into a convenient QR-enabled vaccination pass, in destination, by visiting one of several local pharmacies listed here.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.