Testing

If you develop Covid symptoms, or you have been in close contact with someone who has Covid, you should take a test.

As soon as symptoms appear (fever or feeling of fever, cough, headache, sore throat, aches and pains, unusual fatigue, diarrhea…), you should:

• perform an antigen test immediately (if positive, perform a confirmatory PCR test) or PCR test, regardless of your vaccination status, history of infection, or risk contact status;
• It is recommended that you isolate yourself and reduce your contacts;

Home-tests can be bought from pharmacies for a maximum price of €6 (most are cheaper than that) or you can go to most pharmacies on a walk-in basis and ask for an antigen test (test antigenique).

If you have symptoms you should take an antigen or PCR test, not a home test.

If you’re not a resident in France you will have to pay for the test, with prices capped at €22 for an antigen test or €54 for a PCR test.

For full details on testing types and how to book, click HERE.

READ ALSO The French vocab you need to get a Covid test

Waiting

From February 1st 2023, those who were in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19 are no longer required to test. This remains recommended however.

Positive

From February 1st, 2023 self-isolation after a positive test result is no longer compulsory, but remains strongly recommended. 

Recommendations suggest that those who are considered fully vaccinated (a vaccination with a booster or a primary vaccination completed less than 4 months ago), and children under 12 who test positive should:

• self-isolate for 7 days after the date of onset of symptoms or the date of collection of the positive test;
• perform an antigen test or PCR test on day five:
• if the day five test is negative and there have been no symptoms for 48 hours, isolation can be terminated;
• if that test is positive or if no day five test is performed, isolation must be continued until day seven. After day 7 you can leave self-isolation with no further test required 

Anyone who is not vaccinated or who has an incomplete vaccination schedule (no booster) is advised to;

• isolate for to 10 days after the date of onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test;
• perform an antigen or PCR test on day seven after the date of onset of symptoms or the date of collection of the positive test:
• if the day seven test is negative and there have been no symptoms for 48 hours, isolation can be terminated;
• if it is positive or if no test is performed, the isolation must be continued until day 10 without any new test.

Note: It is recommended to respect the barrier measures (wearing a mask and hygiene measures) for the seven days after isolation ends following a confirmed positive test. 

Self-isolation

While self-isolating you should stay at home. If you have a garden you can go outside, but you should not leave your property and should avoid contact with people outside your household.

If you are staying in a hotel you should stay in your room, avoid communal areas and tell staff that you have tested positive so they can avoid close contact with you.

Medical help

If at any point while you are positive you have difficulty breathing, you should call an ambulance on 15 (114 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or the European emergency number on 112.