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TRAVEL NEWS

EXPLAINED: What are the ‘vital reasons’ that allow travel from the UK to France?

From Monday, May 31st, France brought in strict rules on travel from the UK over fears of the so-called Indian variant of Covid that is circulating in Britain. But what are the accepted reasons for travel?

Published: 1 June 2021 09:23 CEST
Updated: 5 June 2021 09:18 CEST
EXPLAINED: What are the 'vital reasons' that allow travel from the UK to France?
Photo: Thomas Samson/AFP

All arrivals from the UK into France are now required to present three things;

  • An essential reason for their journey, and form declaring this reason
  • For over 11s, a negative Covid test taken within the previous 48 hours (either a PCR test or antigen test is allowed)
  • An undertaking to quarantine for seven days once in France.

The vital reasons for the journey – motif imperiuex – have now been clarified by the French government. 

In order to enter France you will need to fill out an attestation de déplacement (travel certificate) and tick one of the following reasons. You may also need to provide documentary proof of your reason for travel such as a visa or residency card. You can find the form HERE.

The following groups are allowed to enter France;

  • French citizens and their spouse or partner and children
  • EU citizens who have their permanent residence in France, or in another EU country and are transiting through France in order to return to their home. Spouses, partners and children of EU nationals living in France or another EU country are also covered by this
  • Non-EU nationals who have their permanent residence in France or in another EU country and are transiting through France in order to return to their home. Proof of residency such as a residency card or visa will be required.
  • British nationals who are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (ie who were permanent residents in France or another EU country before December 31st, 2020)
  • Non-EU nationals who benefit from a family reunification visa or are covered by refugee status
  • Health professionals engaged in the battle against Covid, or travelling to do research or internships connected to the pandemic. Spouses, partners and children are also covered by this
  • Non-EU nationals who have a passeport talent visa, plus their spouse, partner and children
  • Students enrolled at a higher education establishment in France
  • Employees in the road, sea, or air transport industries travelling to France or through France for work-related purposes, including hauliers
  • Non-EU nationals involved in diplomatic or consular work
  • Traveller spending less than 24 hours in France in transit to another country
  • Employees of the Channel Tunnel or police or customs staff engaged on work at the border

Unlike under previous travel restrictions there are no exemptions for travel for compassionate reasons such as visiting seriously ill family members.

READ ALSO Everything you need to know about travel between France and the UK

Unlike the UK’s previous travel rules, there is no property exemption for visits from second-home owners and travel for tourism or family visits is also banned.

Member comments

  1. Can I just ask how many people have had the enjoyment of owning a home in France and are now, thanks to brexit and the narrow mindedness of those who are supposed to be negotiating on behalf of each partner have had to have the additional payments of health certificates for their pets, are not allowed to bring food for these animals or for the humans, are paying habitation taxes etc and are now considering selling their properties with high costs. If the “high ups”in the negotiating process could possibly have some consideration and regard for the owners of these properties and the excess costs involved in visiting them they might, just might, have an ounce (sorry gram) of compassion unless they wish to have a mass exodus of UK home owners. Please, all we want us to be able to return to France during our holidays as per previous brexit.

    1. Everything isn’t about Brexit to us in Europe and the things that are were avoidable if you were awake and weren’t so self-entitled you did nothing about it. This situation has been written in big neon letters since the British voted to leave in 2016.

      And there’s this little cold-like thing on earth called COVID. It seems it’s quite bad. But apparently the UK has it beaten, so all the British now want to leave Britain on holiday.

  2. My son is due to start a work placement in Paris in July for 12 months as part of his university degree. I don’t see any of the above criteria allowing him to enter France. Is anyone else facing a similar situation or can comment?

    1. When I first read the new restrictions & then checked the French site last weekend it did allow for international students. Get your son to look on the French gov site. Good luck

      1. PS Sorry. If it’s only if enrolled in an ed. establishment then I may be misleading you, but he could ring the consulate to clarify.

  3. Must admit to being a bit fromaged off with paying to have my bin emptied etc and no interest in allowing visits . The main problem seems to come from the pseudo French who still are happy to travel to the uk , but are keen to keep us second home owners out ‘because of covid’

  4. THE TRUTH OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION RESTS WITH ALL THE MISLEADING STATEMENTS BY OUR POLITICAL LEADERS. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL ALL THE SO-CALLED BENEFITS SHOW THEMSELVES ?
    I KNOW THAT BREXIT WAS BY A DEMOCRATIC VOTE, JUST, BUT THE POWERS THAT BE ,TOLD SO MANY EXAGGERATED CLAIMS THAT ARE UNREALISTIC ?
    I HOPE THAT THE COUNTRY I LOVE WILL NOT RUE THE DAY THAT WE ARE STRANDED OUTSIDE A EUROPE, WITH A POTENTIAL MARKET OF HALF A MILLION , WE HAVE SHOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT. I DOUBT IF I WILL EVER BENEFIT FROM THE SO CALLED ADVANTAGES .
    THOSE WHO RELY ON EXPORTS TO EUROPE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS NOT OF THEIR MAKING.

  5. The govt website is still listing compassionate reasons for travel and not showing permission for familial reunification of EU family members resident in France.

  6. What are the rules on UK nationals travelling into France from countries other than the UK, for instance other EU member states?

    1. It’s clearly dependent on the country you are coming from, not what passport you are carrying! Look at their ‘traffic light’ catagory.

  7. Hi Solid. (‘tho this site shows that I’m replying to a “fionasteph6”!),

    At least I’ve seen a few comments in UK internet musings, asking since when was going on holiday a (God given) right. The media are partly responsible for this, as is the so-called leader, & are almost surprised when people say they plan to stay in the UK. Lots of people there can’t afford any holiday at all. They get forgotten until it’s time for a piece on food banks or welfare payments.

    Yes, 2016 was a horror show.

    A lot of people don’t want to just visit their holiday homes vchayman, that’s a luxury the majority can’t afford, they want to feel international cooperation is most important.

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For members

COVID-19 VACCINES

How to get a Covid vaccine in France this October

France launched a new Covid vaccination campaign on Monday. Everyone is eligible for a booster dose, although it is specifically recommended for high-risk groups. Here's how to get your shot.

Published: 2 October 2023 10:21 CEST
How to get a Covid vaccine in France this October

Rising case numbers and the emergence of new variants pushed French health authorities to bring forward the new Covid vaccination campaign to October 2nd – it was initially scheduled to start on October 17th. 

While anyone can receive the vaccine, the Health Ministry is specifically recommending that the following groups to do so:

  • People over the age of 65;
  • People with co-morbidities;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Immunosuppressed people;
  • Care home residents or confined to a medical unit for long-term treatment;
  • Anyone who comes into regular contact with immunosuppressed people or people who a vulnerable to respiratory infections. 

French health authorities have indicated that they will prioritise the use of vaccines specifically adapted to the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant, which currently the main strain of the virus circulating in France. The main vaccine suited to tackling this sub-variant is the RNA Messenger vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, which also remains effective against other variants.

It is also possible to use Sanofi an Novavax vaccines, but Novavax will not have a vaccine adapted to the XBB.1.5 sub-variant until November.  

France is also launching a nationwide flu vaccination campaign later this month. You can read more about the necessary steps to get one here. 

How to get a Covid booster dose

Your GP (médecin traitant) should be able to give you a Covid booster on appointment. Pharmacy staff, nurses, dentists and midwives are also able to administer booster doses. If you want to receive a vaccine at the pharmacy, you should be able to set an appointment in the pharmacy itself or over the phone. 

The simplest way to book yourself for a booster dose (dose de rappel) is through the Doctolib website.  

READ MORE France’s autumn 2023 Covid vaccine booster campaign ‘will be open to all’

If you live in a care home or a special unit for people requiring long-term treatment, vaccination is organised on-site. 

The vaccination itself is free for anyone residing in France, even if you don’t yet have a carte vitale. If you do have a carte vitale however, you should bring it to your appointment.

When to receive a booster

The nationwide vaccination campaign began on October 2nd.

But you cannot get a booster if it has been less than 6 months since your last Covid infection (based on the date you tested positive) or your last vaccine shot. 

It is possible to receive a Covid vaccination and flu vaccination at the same time. If you wish to do so, you will need to wait until the flu vaccination campaign begins on October 17th. 

What about children? 

Children over the age of 5 are no longer recommended to have more than one vaccination against Covid-19. However, if your child has a comorbidity, such as asthma, you should consult with a medical professional to decide whether it could be worth getting a booster. 

For children under the age of five who have already had one vaccine dose or who have already been infected, it is still worth getting one more vaccine, according to French Health Authorities. For children under the age of five who have never received Covid vaccines or been infected, it is recommended that they get a total of three shots, with a 21-day gap between the first two, and an 8-week gap between the second and third. 

If you are in any doubt, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. 

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