Can Americans travel between France/Italy without quarantine?

The rules are not set yet, and change everyday. Stay tuned for an official announcement as many here have immediate departures to Italy with plans to cross borders and will let everyone know.

Similarly, we have plans to fly into Paris and then fly into Italy after being in Paris for a few days. Lots of confusion on traveling between countries and how that works with Covid restrictions/testing. We haven't been able to find any answers...

I’m going to follow this post also since we are traveling to Croatia and want to train to Florence for a week. We would return to Croatia before we travel home.

I’m having trouble finding an answer as well. We are going to Italy and than France in October. I’m hoping if you are vaccinated you won’t need a PCR or antigen test. But I’m preparing to have some kind of test on our last stop before flying to France. I’m hoping an antigen test will be sufficient since those are easier to come by than PCR from where we are staying before flying to Paris.

Lots of confusion on traveling between countries and how that works with Covid restrictions

You got that right a friend of mine flew into Spain (which is open with vaccination and covid test) and then flew from Barcelona to Istanbul via Brussels. When he tried to return back to Barcelona the airline told him that he would not be able to transit through Belgium and would have to fly direct back to Barcelona.

It’s wayyy too early to know what the rules will be in Sept. I am sure it will be all figured out by then. It’s people going now that don’t have clear answers.

Like Georgia B above, we are booked to fly into Paris for a week, and then in to Italy for two. Our trip is at the end of July, so we are very interested in what happens in the coming days. I don’t think we’ll wait much beyond a week or so, and then may decide to pull the plug on our France week and try to re-book with Covid flights. We booked these back in December, hoping (maybe against hope) that things would have cleared up. We booked changeable tickets and cancellable reservations, knowing that things may not work out, but of course now we all actually feel invested in the itinerary. I keep reading reports that the Italian Green Pass may open to Americans (and may make it unnecessary to quarantine if vaccinated), but there has been nothing official. Hate to wait so long that we miss our chance to switch to a Covid tested flight. It’s the summer to go with the flow, so I’m trying to channel some extra patience and flexibility.

Here are my thoughts on this :

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/one-key-thought-on-traveling-in-europe-for-the-time-being

I think that all those based in Europe have echoed Kim’s thoughts on this forum. Pick one country.

The rules could change half a dozen or more times before your trip. My one foreign trip since the start of Covid was the U.K. to Spain and the rules and therefore my flight dates were changed numerous times, including several times whilst I was actually in Spain. It didn’t make for a relaxing holiday.

You need a plan B in case you can’t get to France. The new variants are of concern.

I found this website last night which gave me some clarity…

This website says anyone can enter Italy from a list of European countries without having to quarantine.

Some of what it says:
“The five-day quarantine for these countries was abolished on May 17.”
“All persons arriving in Italy from any country mentioned above are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of arrival.”

It appears to me that anyone coming directly from the US to Italy on a Covid free flight does not have to quarantine.
But, anyone coming directly from the US to Italy not on a Covid free flight, you do have to quarantine.

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/travelling-to-italy-this-summer-amid-covid-what-you-need-to-know-before-booking-a-trip/

Yes, Susan, that website makes sense. But the permutation for the OP’s question remains.
If a vaccinated American has flown into France and has a negative test, and wishes to enter Italy, is the determination as to quarantine that they just arrived from a European nation on the approved list (France) or that they are an American and cannot enter unless they came from the US on a Covid tested flight?

Italy requires that you be in the other country (France, in this case) a certain number of days before you “shake off” your originating country (in this case, the United States).

You should look for guidance from the Italian Government about traveling to Italy.

Ok, that’s more helpful info Kim, I don’t believe, unless I missed it, this website mentions that.

Here is the link from the Italian Ministry of Health (nicely in English)

Keep in mind that the U.S. is in Italy's Group D.

France is in Italy's Group C.

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=english&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=3

Which says

List C
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark (including the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France (including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Reunion, Mayotte and excluding other territories outside the European mainland), Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands (excluding territories outside the European mainland), Poland, Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, Principality of Monaco, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Entry Restrictions

Under Italian law, travel to/from these countries is permitted without the need for a specific reason.

Restrictions apply in case of transit or stay in List D and/or List E countries during the 14 days prior to entry into Italy.

and here is the list of restrictions for travelers coming from List D countries (I.e. the United States):

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=english&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=4

Which says:

Entry Restrictions

Under Italian law, travel to and from these countries is permitted without the need for a specific reason (subject to the limitations set out in Italy at regional level). The removal of travel restrictions from Italy to some countries does not exclude that these countries may still impose entry restrictions.

Compliance

When returning to Italy, if you have stayed in/transited through these countries in the previous 14 days, you must:

undergo a molecular or antigenic swab carried out within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy and the result of which is negative
complete the digital Passenger Locator Form, which replaces the previous self-declaration
inform the local health authority immediately of your arrival in Italy. See: COVID-19 Regional toll-free numbers and information
reach their final destination in Italy only by private transport
undergo fiduciary isolation and health surveillance for 10 days. This provision applies only to entries into Italy after the entry into force of the Ordinance of April 16, 2021
undergo an additional molecular or antigenic swab at the end of the 10-day isolation period. Those who entered Italy before April 18, 2021 must complete the 14-day isolation period and do not need to undergo any further testing

Validity of regulations

The provisions remain in force until July 30, 2021.

Thank you Kim, very helpful.

If not in France for at least 14 days and you train (or even fly from Paris) in to Italy, who is checking to see if you quarantine?

I guess the answer is you can be stopped by police at any time and required to show your passport?

They come through and control your paperwork and I.d. (and take your temperature) when you cross the border on the train. That's what they did last summer and I am sure that is what they are doing now.

But quarantine is honor system unless you’re randomly stopped on the street and asked for your passport I assume…

Or unless, when the authorities follow up with you, they don’t find you at the place where you signed a paper saying you would be staying, I suppose. Since you have to provide that information (and swear to it) to enter.

I don’t really know, I don’t plan on going anywhere where I would have to quarantine. If I did plan on doing so, I would look into all the elements and requirements of it to make sure I was in compliance.

Yes, agree, thanks Kim.

Wow, HUGE thank you to everyone for the responses. It's good to know I'm not the only one fledgling along, trying to figure all this stuff out, and struggling to find clear answers. Definitely will have a plan B, just in case, but am hoping the summer travel season goes well enough that come September we won't need it. I really appreciate all the info and links, and just the spirit of helpfulness. I hope to hear from some of you again once you've crossed the borders and have a lay of the land. Thanks again, and stay safe!

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-set-add-united-states-safe-travel-list-2021-06-16/

A little more movement today. Still no way to know if this will eliminate the need for the Covid tested flights to Italy, but it’s a promising step!

Heather, thank you for this link.

I’m sure you’ve all seen this by now, but France has now added the US to its Green List - meaning vaccinated Americans can now enter France without any testing (and unvaccinated Americans can enter with negative testing). This certainly doesn’t mean that Italy will make any changes, but I’m hoping it’s an indication that things have improved enough that we may see some loosening there as well. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/france-travellers-from-us-canada-can-now-enter-completely-restriction-free/

Looking very good! Fingers crossed for a smooth summer and continued improvement.

https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/sala-stampa/dall_ambasciata/ingressi-in-italia-dagli-usa-e.html