Please sign in to post.

What health requisites must Americans present when they arrive in France now?

Presently what requirements are there for Americans beyond proof of double vaccination? I’m planning on going in early mid October. I understand there is PCR test. Can that be done in the US or upon arrival at airport?

Posted by
2537 posts

The requirements have nothing to do with nationality. If you are arriving on a flight from the USA and have proof of vaccination, CDC cards suffice, there is no other health requirement.

Posted by
10120 posts

You show your CDC card at the airport in the US when checking in and again before boarding your international flight. Passport control in France looks only at your passport. This was the process last week when I traveled.

Posted by
2744 posts

Keep checking. Rules change constantly. By October who knows

Posted by
459 posts

How does one obtain a CDC card? I got certified double vaccination by my county health department only.

Posted by
14811 posts

You should have gotten your CDC card when you got your vaccines. Contact your local health department.

Posted by
2537 posts

Take whatever vaccination verification you have to your air carrier and ask them. Your air carrier makes the initial decision about your vaccination qualification. There is no specification that you must have a CDC card.

Posted by
10120 posts

We're talking about months from now, and things could change. You have time to have your local health department get you your CDC card. The local airport may recognize your county, but if you change planes, the second boarding crew may not recognize it. I was checked for the CDC card at the transfer airport, too.
I had a state letter, but nobody wanted it. Only the CDC card

Posted by
1 posts

The rules changed today. I guess after August 1st you'll be required to show a vaccine passport to dine in restaurants or travel by train. I'm wondering how this will play out with non-Europeans, who can't scan their vax cards into the "pass sanitaire" app that the country is using. I reaaally hope I won't have to get a 49 euro PCR test every three days.

Posted by
10120 posts

Every restaurant also has a ledger you can sign.

Posted by
7981 posts

American states -- even those with pro vax leadership are refusing to provide electronic evidence of vaccination. I just talked to the Illinois gov office and they are refusing to do anything to make this an option. The Federal Govt is also not. We are planning to arrive in France Sept 20 -- hope it is sorted by then. It is sad to live in a country dominated by frightened ignoramuses -- but there we are.

Posted by
806 posts

@janetravels - it's a pain, but we can also take a quick antigen test after arrival if all else fails...

Posted by
2744 posts

Honestly, I have my vaccination card but a couple of days before I plan to leave this August I will be going to my local pharmacy and getting a Covid test. If I have to pay for it I have to pay for it I’m not really too worried about that either way. And if I have to get an antigen test at some point while I’m in Paris to prove I don’t have Covid so be it. If you can’t afford these €29 test then reconsider your trip iIMHO. At this stage with what’s going on the world if you’re planning to travel you need to have a safety pad in your finances.

Posted by
7981 posts

The problem is not entry to France and thus a test -- it is that to go to a restaurant, take a train etc etc you need to show a QR coded 'vaccine passport' and our governments are resolutely refusing to provide them. I hope before my trip that Walgreens where I got my shots will produce such a QR coded ap with my data.

Even pro vaccine states are not willing to provide this rather easy to provide service due to the dominance of ignorant anti-science bullies in our political system. Tennessee has just decided that their health department will provide no encouragement to vaccinate children with ANY vaccines. It is quite horrific.

The rules go into effect in August and so far there is no provision for the American paper cards and note that since vendors -- e.g. restaurants, trains, etc etc have to check for the passports, there is bound to be a fair degree of confusion for Americans who manage to get there..

Posted by
254 posts

So am I interpreting this correctly? New rules Aug 1, and I will leave July 23 and return July 31 so new rules won't apply?

Posted by
2613 posts

I am going in September and so am keeping an eye on the COVID passport issue. I am hopeful that France will publicize a way for third party residents to download the app as well. My research indicates that this has clearly been considered.
Here's the specific language:
Is It Possible That the Vaccina Passports Can Soon Be Issued to Travellers From Third Countries?

As the Member States reopen the borders for travel from non-EU countries for non-essential purposes, they also intend to issue EU COVID travel certificates to travellers from third countries intending to enter their territory.

Here's the website: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/all-details-on-eu-covid-19-passport-revealed-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Posted by
18 posts

The rest of that statement stated this

The Commission also intends to accept certificates issued in third countries, which are issued under the same conditions as the ones by the EU.

So hopefully that means the US cards

Posted by
144 posts

Sigh. We plan to be in France — mostly Paris — the last three weeks of August. If there is not a clear statement from the French government stating American CDC vaccination cards will be accepted in lieu of the EU Covid passport at cafes, museums etc in the next week or so we will probably cancel our trip.

Posted by
10120 posts

Good grief. Calm down folks. What a kerfuffle.

I'm in France right now with a CDC card and it's going to all get worked out. Some minister said they'd have some rules in place for the American exception and others in a week or so. Chill pills.

I'll post when I get instructions. Now go enjoy Bastille Day.

Per a FB group:
'"At present non-EU QR codes on certificates are not compatible with France’s TousAntiCovid application

Discussions are also continuing with the US although this is thought to be more complex as the US itself has no standardised country-wide scheme.'"

Until there is a solution you must present your ORIGINAL CDC vaccination card. A copy or photo of it won’t do. You might also have to produce your passport as ID."
And the article on which it's based:
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/How-will-foreign-visitors-to-France-use-health-pass-to-go-to-a-cafe

Posted by
7981 posts

I am assuming Bets is right here and that something will be worked out by the time I arrive in France Sept 21 -- but it is unnecessarily nervous making that the US govt and states have made this so difficult in order to protect the feefees of people who care not a whit for their fellow citizens.

It is estimated that about 30% of kids who get COVID will have long term neuro issues and the kids are unprotected by vaccine as the Delta variant sweeps across the country. So about half of our citizens are good with condemning a whole generation to unnecessary brain damage so they can make a political point.

Posted by
286 posts

The Secretary of State in charge of tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, is the guest of the "4 Vérités" of France 2, Thursday, July 15, to discuss the impact of the health pass for professionals in the sector.

Tourism professionals are worried about the consequences of the extension of the health pass, announced by Emmanuel Macron, Monday, July 12. Especially since according to the draft law implementing this measure, sent to the Council of State, the establishments concerned will risk up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros if they do not apply health pass checks . Sanctions that will be "graduated" , tempers Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. "45,000 euros is the maximum level provided for by law, but before that, there will naturally be teaching, the prefect can issue a formal notice, an administrative closure" , specifies the Secretary of State in charge of tourism on the "4 Vérités" plateau of France 2, Thursday July 15.

The control methods under study
Will there be some form of tolerance for tourism and catering professionals? "There will indeed be a tolerance until August 30, confirms Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, but we will all have to prepare to live with the health pass, that's what will preserve the freedom to come, to come, to be able to practice many activities " . This is refuted by the demonstrators, who took to the streets on July 14 to denounce a law that they consider themselves to be liberticidal. For the Secretary of State for Tourism, however, "this is the only way out" .

"Freedom is not anarchy, it is not the absence of rules. Freedom, these are rules that we set in order to be able to live in society and to ensure that these rules are effectively respected " , assures Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. So, how to set up health pass controls in establishments? "We are working on the practical arrangements, especially in the holiday villages. It is not yet finalized, but in this example, the control would be done at the entrance, as long as we remain in this space and that we took an all-inclusive plan, ”he explains.

Posted by
888 posts

Chris, if you use google to open a link to most foreign language websites, google will give you the option to translate it into english. I use this all the time checking out European restaurants, tourist sights, hotels, etc. Sometimes the site itself will give you the chance to translate - usually a button to click for EN or a British flag icon.

Posted by
531 posts

CR-traveler…. Thank you……my search engine is google but it did not give me option to translate and I’m also aware of looking for either EN or the British flag icon…unfortunately this site did not offer either.

Posted by
6113 posts

Bobby - France isn’t prepared to accept Brits that have had the AZ jab made in India, so there’s a good chance that they won’t accept Americans.

Posted by
15 posts

so based on the above translation vaccinated Americans should be ok until the end of August? Traveling to France at the beginning of August and a bit worried :)

Posted by
610 posts

@Janet travels: I sure do understand your frustration. I, too am very frustrated with the US government's refusal to allow those of us who wish to do so to add our information to a national registry for vaccination. The state of California has done so and I have a copy on my phone but I'm not at all sure that France will honor this as state governments evidently do not count as governments as far as France is concerned. (I.e.: my California drivers license, although issued by the state of California does not count as a valid ID when walking around say, Paris). Legally, I need to carry my passport. Please correct me if I'm wrong about any of this. Bets? Kim?

Posted by
667 posts

I can confirm the tous AntiCovid app will install but it won't read my California QR code as it is non-EU (it does conform to a standard format). It does tell me that it can't process non-EU codes at this time. According to press reports, in Germany, you can convert your CDC card (after showing your passport) into an EU compliant QR code document at a pharmacy. Hopefully France will do the same. But with anything in France, things take time.

Posted by
10120 posts

Tousanticovid has a document upload, too. But, I don't think anything will apply to US vaccinated.

However, there are a couple of hundred thousand French people who live in the States and were vaccinated there. The Air France jets have been swooping them up and bringing them back for family vacations. The French government will have it worked out in time so reunited families can function.

On August 1, I'll go to a restaurant and post if I was served. Gooster and Jeff, if you're here, if you try to go out, could you report back.

Posted by
286 posts

FWIW, a couple of us have emailed the consulate in San Francisco and gotten a response that France is working on a way for Americans to obtain the sanitary pass, but in the meantime our CDC cards WILL be accepted. Of course, who knows what will actually happen on the ground but that's as close to an official word as I've been able to find.

Posted by
531 posts

This:

On July 12, French President Macron stated that as of July 21, a health pass will be needed to enter events with more than 50 people – and that as of August 1, a health pass will be needed for airplane, train, and long-distance car trips as well as cafes, restaurants, medical facilities, and shopping centers. These plans must still be approved by the French parliament and could change as a part of that process.
To obtain a health pass, a person must show either that 1) they have been fully vaccinated, 2) have a negative PCR test (good for 72 hours after the test), or 3) have a negative antigen test (good for 48 hours after the test). The CDC card does not serve as a health pass. For people vaccinated in the United States with a CDC card, any willing French doctor or pharmacist can enter the vaccination information in the Frenchstrong text system, even for people who do not have a French social security number or carte vitale. This will allow the person to generate a paper or electronic (through the French Tous Anti Covid app) version of the health pass.

I hope their solution is not to find WILLING DOCTOR or PHARMACIST……

Posted by
10120 posts

Yes, no, maybe, Chris. I know these instructions on page 22 of the manual for health care workers here in France is floating around the internet from someone who talked to the US consulate in Strasbourg.

But, maybe it's for short-term residents with visas and long-term residents and citizens with French healthcare numbers and la carte vitale who were vaccinated outside the country. Many of us who are here long-term aren't so sure what exactly the requirements are when using this form, per my FB group for ex-pats. So, I'll go to the largest pharmacy in town tomorrow with my CDC card, a downloaded copy of the page and check it out and get as much info to report back as possible. Peut-être bien que oui, peut-être bien que non.

Posted by
531 posts

Thanks Bets….I can only hope things work out….we are not arriving until Christmas Day….so it could be very difficult to find a willing doctor or pharmacist🥴….I’m not changing plans yet.

Posted by
10120 posts

Chris, This roadblock could be long in the rearview mirror by Christmas Day. It could be over or we could be dealing with variant omega or zeta and a whole new set of rules by then.

Posted by
15 posts

"From July 21st, all our visitors aged 18 and over must present a EU COVID Certificate."

Was about to book Eiffel Tower ticket and then saw the above on the website...hmm... Traveling in 3 weeks and really hoping they'll figure smth out for CDC card holders

Posted by
99 posts

Sitting in Paris right now. Arrived Thursday morning. This is what the details for us on a flight from Ord to CDG on AA. I had the Verifly app from AA and put all the information in. When we got to O'Hare we were asked for the CDC shot card and passport. She looked at the card less then 5 seconds and checked the passport weighted the bags and off we were sent to TSA. Pretty much the same procedure as before. Flew into Dallas, nothing different but given a piece of paper to fill out and give back on the plane. Asked what hotel we were staying at and our name, address and contact numbers. That it. Arrival into Paris on time, went to border police who checked and stamped the passport and we were done. Got the bags and met the taxi for a trip to the hotel. A little surprised but I understand everyone has a story but this is mine and mine just happen. This is my 8th trip to Paris in the last 20 years and what I see so far is no lines, locals say nothing many Americans but in the last 3 weeks more are coming. Cafes and sure are not crowed. Waiters are really nice, tourist sight are pleasant to be at. Masking up is everywhere. If your inside your must have a mask.

Posted by
10120 posts

Since the thread has taken a turn, I'll continue on the QR code quest. They go into effect in a few days for large stores etc, and Aug 1st for everything else. There are copies of responses from a French consulate employee in the US buried here https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/anyone-else-going-in-august

As promised, Chris:
Today the largest pharmacy in our city told us to call the national health office. Next we hiked around to ask at the local vaccination center, but not only was it closed, but also had moved. Finally, we asked about CDC cards to the guards at the entry to our mall where we do our Monoprix grocery shopping. Response: a shrug.
So Monday we'll call both the national health office for instructions, and then the US consulate in Strasbourg where the "any doctor or pharmacy" answer seems to have originated. But just like the every other hurdle, I have faith it will be worked out in time, especially in touristic areas. OTOH, I might have to have my groceries and other purchases delivered for a week until they work out the details. I'll keep you updated.

Edit: further clarification on having a QR code issued by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacy: it's only for people who were vaccinated on French territory but have difficulty with electronics, per https://www.ameli.fr/herault/assure/actualites/attestation-de-vaccination-et-pass-sanitaire-lheure-des-vacances-dete

Posted by
14811 posts

Like everything else, make the announcement, work out the details later.

I realize that announcements like these are first and foremost for the locals. What will work for tourists is not usually a high priority. It comes later.

Posted by
10120 posts

You are absolutely correct, Frank ll. All of the governments are improvising, dealing with an evolving virus and guiding populations that make herding cats look easy. But, it's going to work out.

Posted by
531 posts

I thank you Bets for going above and beyond…..I know our government isn’t much better😵‍💫…. As I posted I do have awhile before arrival and just as someone said….I have the planning plague….although I can do crisis mode quite well…I prefer not to😃

Thank you again!

Posted by
9462 posts

They aren’t going to require it at supermarkets!

As of Wednesday , it will (supposedly) be required in cultural venues such as cinemas, museums, etc.

There is some size of “shopping center” that they will put under it, but not a regular grocery store.

Anyway before this law goes into effect, it has to face review by the Conseil d’Etat and the Conseil Constitutionnel (not to mention the Assemblée and the Senate), so we’ll see what it actually looks like when passed. Veran (the Minister of Health) has already said that the law WON’T take effect on August 1– that the law won’t be promulgated by then, but, rather, in “early” August.

Posted by
7981 posts

sigh we arrive in France sept 21 and Paris Oct 1 -- just in the sweet spot for confusion I am guessing. I have been to the Louvre at least 30 times and Versailles 3 times and the Eiffel Tower twice so I am not going to worry about entrances -- and if restaurants won't feed us I am guessing we can go to the markets with cash and feed ourselves. We love cooking in France anyway.

Posted by
10120 posts

Thanks Kim. Good to know it will take a bit longer

My only supermarket within walking distance is a Monoprix in a huge mall with entrance only through the mall. LOL.

Posted by
11 posts

We are planning Sept. 1-6 in Lyon and very concerned about the prognosis, so thank you very much for these updates. I will continue to check this thread for more information, as well as the CDC, embassies, and news. I am also a bit worried about getting a covid test to return the US as we have a Tuesday departure from Geneva and many pharmacies are closed on the weekend or Monday. We can get a test at the Geneva airport the day before but I am hoping we have it all taken care of before leaving Lyon.

Posted by
806 posts

My sister and i arrived the end of October. I am fully vaccinated, she will be, or else I won't fly with her.
Regardless, if we have to procure antigen tests at 29 Euro every few days, so be it.

Posted by
260 posts

I’m hoping by October when we head there. It’s smoother operation on how to obtain a health pass for incoming visitors via online or something so you can input your credentials. Instead of landing at the airport and trying to find a pharmacy that does the health passport and scrambling. Anyone know if In the future airports and train stations will have a health pass station so you can go about your trip? As soon as we land in Paris we are taking a train from Gare Saint-Lazare (pharmacy in walking distance that has health passport?) to Bayuex for 3 days for D day tour and back to Paris.

Posted by
40 posts

We just went they passport control in Paris. Only had to show passport and boarding pass. In another line a group was asked to show their vaccination card.
On our flight from Dallas on American, we were given a form to fill which was collected when we deplaned. I think it was for Covid tracing.

Posted by
46 posts

I just want to add on here for those that say the CDC cards will work please read the FAQ sheet on the Disney Paris website (even if you aren’t going there). In a question asking about passes with no QR code’s they reiterate that a QR code is required. If that is indicative of how the health pass for non Europeans is being handled Americans may have a problem with CDC cards. Anxiously awaiting to hear what happens tomorrow from those who are there.