I just saw this in an article and wonder if I am unable to get my QR code by Sunday's flight I will need a negative test.
Those who do not get their application processed in time for their trip must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours, regardless of vaccination status.
Most likely, yes.
From what I have read, if you don’t have a pass sanitaire, you will need to show proof of a negative COVID test. I believe that is good for 72 hours.
Unless the rules have changed in the last month, you do not need a negative test to enter France from the US but you MUST be vaccinated. It is not clear where you are flying from. We showed our CDC cards on arrival -- they were set up outside our plane to run everything through the CDC card gauntlet and then off to immigration and baggage/customs where no further checks were made.
Your CDC card will get you into France, no test is necessary. (The first two responders are apparently speculating; they are wrong.)
For going into museums, restaurants, etc, you are supposed to have the QR code/pass sanitaire, but many many people on this Forum have anecdotally reported that they have been able to use their CDC card instead.
It is possible that any given venue will indeed demand the QR code/pass sanitaire; in those cases if you have proof of a negative test from a French pharmacy (cost:€29) that is within the past 72 hours, that negative test result can serve as your QR code/health pass.
I agree with Janet and Kim. No Covid test for entry in to France if you are fully vaxxed and have the CDC card. The folks at France border control checked our CDC cards (did not want to see our Pass Sanitaire) along with our passports. I entered France on Sept 22. Returned home yesterday (Oct 24).
You do need a negative Covid test to re-enter the US. They are readily available in France so do not worry about that. Just look for one near your hotel.
I just finished a Road Scholar tour where there were at least half who did not have a Pass Sanitaire. ALL restaurants, museums, venues accepted their CDC cards for entry.
I find the question and the first two answers confusing. Are you asking if you need a QR code (health pass) to be admitted to France? The answer is no. If the question is if you need a QR code (health pass) to be allowed to do certain things in France, the answer is maybe. I had my pass when I was in Paris last month but I know people who were in Paris with just their CDC card and they had no problems. The same is true for Nice. But I also know people who were outside of these areas in places like Valence or small towns in Brittany and their CDC cards were not recognized and they got tested every three days so they could go into restaurants, etc.
This Washington Post article from four days ago is what is confusing me. I am fully vaccinated and have had a booster all Pfizer and I just want to make sure I am able to board the plane with just my CDC card and passport. I will get a test in France to obtain my QR code if need be.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/france-travel-us-covid-restrictions/
You should be cautious about relying on nonofficial sources for your information. It is always best to get your info. directly from the relevant government sites. Here is the one for France:
OP, that Post article is incorrect/unclear where it says, "Those who do not get their application processed in time for their trip must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours, regardless of vaccination status." They're talking about the health pass, and they're trying to say, awkwardly, that if you want a health pass, you'll have to get a negative test from a French pharmacy, giving you a 72-hour pass. The Post is making it sound like you HAVE TO to do this, and you don't -- as everyone has noted, you can just use your CDC card if you like.
Per the official diplomatic link, as noted above, "If you are vaccinated, you can travel to France with no restrictions linked to health conditions."
I'm in France now. Besides your passport, all you need is your CDC card to get into the country.
So far, I've only been asked for the pass when I want to dine inside a restaurant and before entering a museum.
That Washington Post article you linked to is poorly written/edited. The paragraph that is quoted above should say "stay in France" instead of trip. The writer is using trip there to mean your time in France but the word choice is not ideal because trip could be referring to the act of traveling to France.
I was in France 2 weeks ago. My husband had his health passé code..I never received mine after trying for 6wk..went without. I ended up getting my code on my last day there…before moving on to river cruise. We were fine with my CDC card and his code everywhere but one restaurant in Bayeux. We just moved on to another. Otherwise not a problem anywhere…trains, museums. etc.
A tangent. Was a CDC card adequate for intercity train travel? Paris-Starsbourg (TGV) Or are they even checking? Traveling over Christmas. Passe Sanitare applied for 2 weeks ago
We are about to travel by train to Lyon and were sent a message saying that the QR pass sanitaire is mandatory. I do not know if this is a change or if CDC cards are no longer necessary. I have the pass which is checked even sitting at outdoor cafes and definitely at all indoor spaces like museums. Given the huge cost of TGV tickets (we booked last minute alas) I would get tested and a temporary QR if I did't have the pass sanitaire.
United Airlines was very confusing; they kept sending messages saying the test was mandatory to fly to France and although I knew this was not true, it was nervous making. Who wants to be 'right' but not allowed to board. I was reassured by the experiences of another traveler here on line who described their flight with UA and being okay with the CDC card.
We were on a train in France a couple of weeks ago (not TGV) and the police boarded to check everyone's proof of vaccine. My Ontario 8 1/2 x11 printouts were completely acceptable. They also checked our passports.
I have been on numerous trains in France in the past week including the TGV from Paris to Strasbourg.
I wrote to SNCF and was told on long distance trains, like the TGV, I would need the Pass Sanitaire and not the CDC card.
No one checked.
Now that's just my experience on one train. On yours they may check.
I'm going to be on a lot more trains in the next month so I'll let you know.
If we get tested in the US the morning we leave, can that test be used to generate the 72-hour health pass once we land in France?
We are landing in CDG the morning of Nov 18 and plan to take the TGV straight from CDG to Lyon. I’m hearing that it’s LIKELY our CDC cards will be accepted for that train, but I’d like to be as prepared as possible. I’m willing to take a covid test in the US if it will increase the odds we can take that train. The last thing I want to be doing after an overnight flight is scrambling to rearrange train & hotel reservations.
Or if our US test cannot be used, is there a rapid testing station in the CDG airport? We applied for our health pass a month ago without success, so now I’m trying to adjust for these new changes. I assume that the pharmacies at CDG will have long waits to get US vaccine cards converted.
Erin, I'm in a similar boat. We plan to take the TGV from Paris to Strasbourg after we land in early December. There is a rapid test available at the airport for 70 Euro for non-French citizens. We were in the process of applying when the online pass sanitaire website shut down.
Now I'm debating whether to book our train later and trying to get lucky with finding a pharmacy to do our QR code quickly before boarding, driving to Strasbourg and finding a pharmacy there, or all else fails rolling the dice on the TGV and hope our CDC cards will work. I really hope an update is made in the next few days to provide some clarity.
The SCNF website was just updated to say that yes, CDC cards will be accepted.
What is the health pass?
You must present your health pass on paper or in digital format via the TousAntiCovid app. The health pass consists of at least one of these 3 documents:
proof of full vaccination
proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within the last 72 hours
proof of a positive PCR or antigen test showing that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months. This test must date from at least 11 days and no more than 6 months before travel.
Important: For travel in France, you are now considered fully vaccinated 7 days after you have received the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine, and 4 weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
For travel outside France, you must continue to wait 14 days after your second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. For more information on the health pass, please visit the French government's website.
Amanda.. could you give us a link to where it says CDC cards are accepted? Just because it says paper doesn't mean it's the CDC card.
I've been traveling around France, except Paris, and people here want the Pass Sanitaire.
https://www.sncf.com/en/passenger-offer/travel-by-train/covid19-rail-traffic-what-you-need-to-know
I agree that I wish it specifically named the CDC card! But it is probably leaving it open because other countries have paper vax records, too. Also, I believe this info went up Tues or Wed, so the change JUST happened and probably the word is not out yet. But I'm glad to hear your on-the-ground report. I'd love to keep reading your experiences with this (and others in France) to have more info and verification!
