Who can enter French territory?
European Union citizens, and those from the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State, San Marino and Switzerland, their spouses and children can enter France, provided that they reside in France or are travelling through France to reach their country of residence.
Foreigners with a valid residence permit, including a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit, can enter France.
Documents authorizing a stay in France which would have expired on 16 March 2020 and 15 May 2020 have been extended for six months.
In limited cases (particularly the transport of goods), foreigners with a short-term visa may be authorized to enter France.
If you are French, naturally you can continue to enter France and travel to your home, along with your spouse and children.
International travel certificates
To return to Metropolitan France, you must fill out and carry with you two documents:
- The exempted movement certificate for Metropolitan France which can be downloaded (in French and English) on the Interior Ministry’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 declaration that you do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you are returning to home to a French territorial community, you must fill out and carry with you two documents:
- The exempted international movement certificate for French overseas communities which can be downloaded (in French and English) on the Interior Ministry’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 declaration that you do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
What are the voluntary quarantine measures when I enter France?
A voluntary quarantine mechanism has been in place since 25 May 2020 based on travellers’ countries of origin:
- Travellers arriving from outside the European area will, upon arrival, be given information on the conditions for a voluntary quarantine in the residence of their choice, or where appropriate, in an appropriate accommodation structure.
Travellers are asked to show civic responsibility and to follow this health precaution. - For travellers arriving from inside the European area (European Union Member States, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City State), the borders are not closed but will still be subject to certain restrictions on movement as part of border controls. Given the similar epidemiological situations among European States and the coordination of crisis management measures, there will be no quarantine requirement for entering French territory for persons arriving from countries in the European area.
However, for travellers arriving from European countries whose authorities have decided, without coordination with France, to apply quarantine measures to travellers entering their territory from other European countries, a voluntary quarantine will be requested on the grounds of reciprocity.
Certain categories of persons, particularly those in transit to another country, will be exempt from the voluntary quarantine mechanism, unless they show symptoms.
For further information on exemptions and details for applying these measures, see the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website. If you have questions on how to apply these measures when entering or staying in France, you can freephone: +33 800 130 000.