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How tourists and visitors in France can get a Covid test

In most cases Covid tests are no longer required for travel, but if you're visiting France and you develop symptoms, here is how to access a test.

Published: 22 April 2021 13:29 CEST
Updated: 29 June 2022 08:38 CEST
How tourists and visitors in France can get a Covid test
Photo: Bertrand Guay/AFP

Covid tests in France are very easy to access, but if you’re not a resident of the country then you may need to pay.

Here’s how to get a test in France:

Test types

There are three types of Covid test available in France

  • PCR test (un test pay-say-eyre) – a nasal swab test performed in a testing centre with the swab sent off to a lab for processing and the results emailed out later (usually within 48 hours)
  • Antigen test (un test antigénique) – also a nasal swab, but the results are given on the spot within 15 minutes of the test being taken. These are available in pharmacies and pop-up testing centres, most of which do not require an appointment. These tests are referred to as lateral flow tests in some countries
  • Home-testing kit (un autotest) – available from pharmacies, there are also nasal swab tests that you can do at home. This is the same process as the antigen test, but you do it yourself and get the results within 15 minutes

Most countries no longer require a negative test for travel reasons, but if you do need a travel test, check carefully with the country that you are travelling to whether a PCR or antigen test is required. Most countries do not accept home test results.

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

How to get one

You can get a test for any reason in France (including travel), there is no limitation of tests to only those with symptoms or contact cases – although some testing centres are reserved for priority cases – and there are quite a few different methods of booking one.

You can find antigen tests at most pharmacies in France. Look out for the sign dépistage du Covid (Covid testing) or test Covid-19 in the window and if the sign adds sans rendez-vous then you can get the test on a walk-in basis.

Most pharmacies offer testing without appointments, but some, especially the smaller ones, require appointments in advance. You can usually just walk in and make your reservation.

You will also see pop-up testing centres, especially in cities or resort towns. These are often just a small tent or gazebo on the street where you can go in and get a test, usually an antigen test but some offer PCR tests. These have been scaled back a lot since the height of the pandemic, but they do still exist – especially in big cities and tourist destinations.

If you need a PCR test you will probably have to book in advance, although some pop-up centres do offer PCR tests on the spot. You will usually go to a specialist Covid testing centre, a medical lab, health centre or doctor’s office. You can book direct by phone with most of these if you know where they are, but the easiest way to find your nearest centre is online or through a phone app.

The French public health website sante.fr has a page HERE where you enter your location and select the type of test you want, giving you a list of centres near you with details on how to book (online, by phone etc).

If you have a smartphone, the medical app Doctolib allows you to book appointments. Simply download the app and create a profile, the search dépistage Covid, choose between PCR or antigen tests and enter your town or postcode. You can book via Doctolib online as well.

The app gives you a list of centres near you that have appointments, and you can book via the app. If your booking is at a doctor’s office or medical centre the app also shows you a doctor profile which includes information on languages spoken, so if you need an English-speaking doctor you can find one.   

If you’re in a tourist area it’s likely that staff at the testing centre will speak a bit of English, but check out our handy guide to French testing vocab HERE.

How much?

There are fixed costs for tests. Residents can get these reimbursed via their carte vitale but tourists or visitors will have to pay. Pharmacies and testing centres accept either cash or debit cards.

  • PCR test – €44
  • Antigen test – €22

Both PCR and antigen tests give a formal certificate of results with a QR code as standard, so there is no need to request a special travel test or a fit-to-fly certificate. 

Self-testing kits are available in pharmacies and these everyone has to pay for – the price is capped at €6, although lots of pharmacies are selling them for considerably less than this. You can buy as many of these as like, there is no limit and in most places availability is no problem.

Positive

If your test is positive, you will need to self-isolate.

The self-isolation period depends on your vaccination status and subsequent negative tests – full details HERE.

France no longer requires the health pass for access to everyday venues such as cafés, tourist sites and gyms, but you may be asked to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test if you are visiting a health centre or hospital for non-emergency treatment.

Member comments

  2. Same here – Found a testcenter in Veynes (Hautes-Alpes) and booked a time (in person) – Free as well…

  3. Hi from Haren in the Netherlands,
    I do have a question -? – I
    Have a 12 & 15 year old boys and we plan to travel into France in July/ August for the summer Holidays. We wanted to know what is the current situation with our Children?
    Both my wife and I are fully vaccinated with Jaansen & Fizer vacs.
    Thankyou in advance
    Chris
    A very happy member of Local.FR

  4. Thank you for the informative article.
    Question: are the results from a ‘self test’ kit sufficient for access to cafes and restaurants?
    Thanks.

  5. In Seine-Maritime (76) very few places seem to offer lateral flow tests without appointments, many pharmacists offering them only do so in restricted hours (i.e. not all the time that they are open) and next to none on Sundays. So if you need one for travel (eg to the UK) best to make an appointment in advance.

    Also note that it is no longer possible to complete passenger locator forms on the ferry (which you could do last year). Although the UK authorities only require the passenger locator to be completed prior to arrival at the UK border, ferry companies will refuse boarding unless you have completed it when you go to check in (DFDS were doing this in Dieppe yesterday). This is apparently because they can get fined if they carry people to the UK who have not completed the form they (as well as the passenger) can get fined.

  6. I am wondering if they take a test on Dec 30th, do the labs work over the holiday? need results for Jan 2 flight to USA.

  7. Since they require a 3rd shot for over 65’s, do they offer that third shot to tourists who are already in country?

  8. This was the drill at Nice airport – great people but not organizationally streamlined -you had to watch, observe and decode the drill, it was not obvious – – they got it done – but: (1) have a QR code reader applet on your phone because (2) they want a formulaire filled out with vitals it pops up after scanning their QR code posted – – I was coaching the English speakers that the Social Sec number was for FR people, so ignore it – (3) that they collected your email and phone does not mean they email or phone the results you must wait for that, (like 20 minutes) you get a paper, stamped (see ‘7’). (4) stand in line with the passport, pass sanitaire, the vitals formulaire, pay. (5) they give you another form to take to the testing side. Stand in line again. (6) they test you. (7) wait for the paper copy. Voila. But panic as the witching hour of 20h ferme neared, and was exceded even. They worked hard, individually, but no one person was in charge.

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EES PASSPORT CHECKS

EES border checks could undergo ‘soft launch’, UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a "soft launch" of the new EU border system – the Entry/Exit (EES) system - in October but authorities are still waiting for European Commission to confirm the start date, amid concerns over the delay of a new app.

Published: 4 May 2024 09:30 CEST
EES border checks could undergo 'soft launch', UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a soft launch of the new EU border system – the entry/exit (EES) system – on the assumption that it will go live on October 6th, ministers told a hearing at the House of Commons European scrutiny committee this week.

But the European Commission is expected to confirm the exact launch date of the new biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area at some point this summer, they added.

“We are very much working on a basis whereby this policy will go live on the 6th of October. It is important that we plan for that eventuality. We are expecting to hear definitively from the European Union that ‘go live’ arrangement in the summer,” Tom Pursglove, UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border told the committee.

The parliamentary committee is conducting an inquiry on the disruptions the system will cause in the UK.

Pursglove also said that “precautionary measures” have been agreed by the EU, that will be put in place in certain circumstances after the start of EES, for example if delays at the borders exceeded a certain length of time.

Guy Opperman, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, said that in practice this meant a “soft launch” of EES for 6 months before “a full go live”. During that soft launch EU member states and the UK could deploy flexibility measures should problems occur.

“The likelihood is, after multiple delays, that the 6th of October will proceed” and the implementation looks “very different” compared to previous scenarios considering the flexibility allowed in the first 6 months, he argued.

No details were given on what these “flexible” measures would involve however. 

READ ALSO: Your questions answered about Europe’s EES passport checks

He conceded that “a lot of work” still needs to be done but the UK “should be as ready as everybody” and “better be at front of the queue”.

App not ready

During the meeting, it also emerged that a much-anticipated app that would allow remote pre-registration of non-EU citizens subject to the checks will not be available for testing until August “at best”, prompting concerns about the EES launch date.

“You don’t need to be a sceptic about future projects to think that the provision of the app in August for going live in October is optimistic,” Opperman said.

Ministers confirmed that the app will not be ready in time for October and the committee previously stated it might be delayed until summer 2025.

The app will facilitate pre-registration, but photo and fingerprints will still have to be taken at the border in front of a guard, the committee heard.

READ ALSO: How do the EU’s new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?

Several MPs asked whether the entry into operation of the EES should be delayed again if technology is not ready. But Under-Secretary Opperman said the app “is not going to be a panacea to fix all problems”.

The main aim of EES is to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

The entry into operation of the system has already been delayed several times and there have been calls from certain travel companies and national authorities to delay it again.

Under the new scheme, non-EU/EFTA travellers who do not need a visa will have to register their biometric data (finger prints and facial images) in a database that will also record each time they enter and exit the Schengen area.

Instead of having passports manually stamped, travellers will have to scan them at self-service kiosks before crossing the border. However, fingerprints and a photo will have to be registered in front of a guard at the first crossing and there are concerns the extra time needed will generate long queues, especially in Dover, Folkestone and St. Pancras station in London, where there are juxtaposed French and UK border checks.

Progress in preparations

Minister Pursglove also updated MPs on ongoing preparations. He said some testing of the system will take place within days, 5 kiosks have been installed at St. Pancras station and are available for testing. “You are beginning to see the physical infrastructure appear,” he said.

Kiosks and extra lanes are also being created at the port Dover and it was agreed with the EU passengers travelling by coach will be checked away from the Eastern dock, where controls usually take place, allowing to gain space. The vehicles will then sealed and drive on the ferries.

MPs also discussed the infrastructure cost linked to the introduction of the EES. Opperman said all EU countries will have to make “huge investments” in their ports. In the UK, he argued, this will help “address problems that have existed for some time”. Because of this “massive investment”, in a few years time “Dover will be totally transformed,” he said.

This article is published in cooperation with Europe Street News.

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