We're not leaving for France (transiting Zürich) for a few months but my husband would very much like to get the pass sanitaire ASAP as we all know any number of things can go wrong and make for delays, i.e. little green men from Mars land at the airport, etc. I understand from many postings that one may or may not be able to get it in a timely manner. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
825 posts
these are two questions - how long is it good for? no expiration date on mine.
when to apply? now. requirements may change but it can't hurt.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
This current thread talks about this question:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/how-long-is-qr-code-pass-sanitaire-good-for
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
612 posts
Thanks skunklet1771 and Susan. Susan, thanks for the thread. I had read it before but couldn't find it when I looked again so now I have it! Skunklet 1771, I'm thinking that you're right that NOW is the correct answer. I guess I can always do it again close to the trip if there was information out about the pass expiring.
Posted by
Chicago, IL 🌭🍕
531 posts
Question....if we've been fully vaxxed (I just got my Pfizer booster), do we still have to COVID test when going to France?
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
Jill, France does not require a Covid test to enter France.
The US requires one to enter the US though.
There’s a newer thread going on this forum explaining how to get a Pass Sanitaire now. You don’t apply online ahead of your trip anymore. You have to go to a pharmacy on the gov’t list and show them your CDC card, pay a fee, and then get the PS.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/new-proceedure-for-pass-sanitaire-from-nov-2021
Posted by
Chicago
8063 posts
you might be confused on testing because the airlines have not been clear on this. We flew United and got repeated messages that we needed to be tested to fly to France -- this was not true, but it created some anxiety. (and on our return I had no trouble checking in. 3 days ahead and uploading my negative COVID test to the airline site but my husband on the same itinerary and with the same passport/test etc was repeatedly denied check in on line and told he needed a test 24 hours before flight because of his passport. This was a glitch but again needlessly anxiety producing. We were able to load his stuff 20 hours before and it accepted the 3 day test as was appropriate for his US passport.
France does not allow unvaccinated travelers to enter but also does not require a COVID test.
Posted by
Paris
9601 posts
As things currently stand, you can't apply for the pass sanitaire until you are physically in France. They have eliminated the email and online application processes.
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
612 posts
Thanks Janet and Kim. Kim: well this just goes to show me that, indeed, there is no such thing as too early to apply for needed document. Guess I'll manage to do this in France. Janet: I agree that there has been much unnecessary anxiety created by various bureaucracies. I'm still trying to figure out what Swiss air requires in order for my husband myself to board the plane for CDG via ZRH. Swiss keeps saying to follow various links which do not give the answer. They also say that they are not responsible for the Swiss government's requirements. I do believe, however that Swiss air must know the answer to what they, the airline and/or it's representatives require in order for us to board the plane. I don't see why this has to be so difficult!
But again, many thanks to one and all. If there is a place to get an answer I believe this form is it!