After a month-long ban due to covid fears with the latest omicron variant, France has finally re-opened their borders.
This now means that tourists coming from the UK can holiday abroad in places such as the French capital and they won't need an 'essential' reason for their visit.
The news comes not long after the French Government updated their rules only allowing 'essential' visits as well as those needing to travel for work.
According to Reuters, France recorded almost four thousand covid cases today (January 14) with almost four thousand in intensive care with a new high of nearly 300,000 total cases being recorded on Thursday.
So what does all this mean for UK travellers wanting to holiday in France? We explain it all below.
What are the travel rules for UK travellers visiting France?
Travellers will be required to do a test on their way to France with rules eased for the return flight.
This is because the Scottish Government scrapped all pre-departure tests however, once back in the UK, people will be asked to carry out a covid test using a lateral flow device on day two to ensure they have not caught anything.
If they test positive of an LFT, they will then have to do a PCR test so any new variants can be identified. The individual(s) will also have to self-isolate.
In order to cross the French border, travellers, regardless of vaccine status, must do the following:
- Present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
- Provide a completed 'sworn statement' (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying you’re not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight - this can be found on the French government’s website here
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks.
In addition, unvaccinated travellers, must have a "compelling reason" for travelling meaning this rule remains unchanged.
You must also provide:
- A negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
- Contact details before travel to France, including the address they will be staying at, to the French authorities via an online form which can be found here
- Complete an international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website here
- Complete a 'sworn statement' form declaring that you are not suffering from any covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed cases within the last two weeks before travel - this can be found on the French government’s website
All travellers might be asked to take a test upon arrival in France, including at Gare du Nord for Eurostar arrivals. Anyone testing positive for covid will be subject to mandatory self-isolation for 10 days.
