Currently in France
This information is valid from 25 February 2021.
On this website you can find information and guidance from the French Government regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in France.
RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN METROPOLITAN FRANCE
A nightly curfew is currently in force in metropolitan France. Between 6PM and 6AM you may only leave your residence for the following reasons and with an exemption certificate:
Commuting to and from work, school or training place; carrying out essential business trips that cannot be postponed;
Medical appointments that cannot be carried out remotely or postponed;
Essential family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children;
Persons with a disability and their accompanying person;
Judicial or administrative summons;
Participating in a mission of general interest upon request from an administrative authority;
Air or rail transit related to long distance journeys;
Walking a pet outdoors within 1km of one’s place of residence and for a brief amount of time.
Download the exemption certificate here.
An electronic version of the certificate is also available here (in French only) or on the TousAntiCovid application (English and French) and may be presented to authorities on your smartphone.
If you do not respect these rules, you may be liable for a €135 fine.
Weekend lockdown measures are in force in some areas. If you are in or around Dunkirk or Nice, visit the website of the relevant Prefecture for further information (in French only).
During your stay in France, download and activate the TousAntiCovid application (in English and French).
EMPLOYMENT
You must work from home if it is possible to do so.
If you cannot work from home, staggered work patterns must be encouraged, to reduce the numbers of people both in the workplace and in public transport.
SCHOOLS
All schools from kindergarten to high schools are open. Face masks are compulsory for all children above the age of 6.
University lectures are by videoconference and libraries are accessible only with an appointment.
SHOPS AND VENUES
Shops (except for large non-food malls) and services, including public libraries, are open but must close at 6PM
Bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums and gyms remain closed.
Public services remain open.
Places of worship may open.
You must wear a mask in all venues.
OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
Local measures, which may include curfews or lockdowns, are in force in the Overseas Territories depending on the circulation of the virus in the specific Territory. Visit the website of the relevant Prefecture or High Commission for the latest information.
In order to travel to an Overseas Territory you must present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old and a compelling reason to travel.
TRAVEL
You may not travel to and from countries outside the European space (European Union Member States, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland), except if you have an imperative reason. You must complete a travel certificate attesting to this imperative reason for entering the country and present a negative PCR test less than 72h old.
Travellers from the European space must present a negative PCR test less than 72h old to come to France.
Find more information about travel to France on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
More information
Find more information for foreign nationals on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
HEALTH ADVICE
What is coronavirus COVID-19?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
How can I protect myself from the virus?
The virus does not spread on its own. People who have the virus are the ones who spread it. Therefore, the following measures can help you protect yourself (and others) from the virus:
- Wash your hands very often or use hydro-alcoholic gel;
- Use single-use tissues, and then throw them away;
- Cough and sneeze into your arm or into a tissue;
- Do not shake hands or greet people with kisses on the cheek;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Respect social distancing: you should remain further than a metre from others;
- Wear a mask wherever it is obligatory to do so as well as in situations where social distancing cannot be respected;
- Limit social contacts as much as possible (and to a maximum of six people);
- Air rooms for ten minutes, three times a day.
What should you do if you are feeling ill?
If you have a cough or a temperature, stay at home, avoid contact with others and call a doctor.
If you have a cough and/or a temperature, and you have difficulty breathing and/or you are feeling faint, dial 15 or call or send a text to 114 if you have a speech or hearing impairment.
What should you do if you have been notified that you are a contact case?
Contact a test centre to make an appointment. The test should be taken immediately if you live with the person who has the virus, or seven days after your last contact if you don’t.
After the test, go straight home and self-isolate until you have the result.
HOTLINES
A toll-free hotline service (French only) can answer your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).
Please note that the toll-free hotline service cannot give medical advice.
On this website you can find information and guidance from the French Government regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in France.
RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN METROPOLITAN FRANCE
A nightly curfew is currently in force in metropolitan France. Between 6PM and 6AM you may only leave your residence for the following reasons and with an exemption certificate:
Commuting to and from work, school or training place; carrying out essential business trips that cannot be postponed;
Medical appointments that cannot be carried out remotely or postponed;
Essential family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children;
Persons with a disability and their accompanying person;
Judicial or administrative summons;
Participating in a mission of general interest upon request from an administrative authority;
Air or rail transit related to long distance journeys;
Walking a pet outdoors within 1km of one’s place of residence and for a brief amount of time.
Download the exemption certificate here.
An electronic version of the certificate is also available here (in French only) or on the TousAntiCovid application (English and French) and may be presented to authorities on your smartphone.
If you do not respect these rules, you may be liable for a €135 fine.
Weekend lockdown measures are in force in some areas. If you are in or around Dunkirk or Nice, visit the website of the relevant Prefecture for further information (in French only).
During your stay in France, download and activate the TousAntiCovid application (in English and French).
EMPLOYMENT
You must work from home if it is possible to do so.
If you cannot work from home, staggered work patterns must be encouraged, to reduce the numbers of people both in the workplace and in public transport.
SCHOOLS
All schools from kindergarten to high schools are open. Face masks are compulsory for all children above the age of 6.
University lectures are by videoconference and libraries are accessible only with an appointment.
SHOPS AND VENUES
Shops (except for large non-food malls) and services, including public libraries, are open but must close at 6PM
Bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums and gyms remain closed.
Public services remain open.
Places of worship may open.
You must wear a mask in all venues.
OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
Local measures, which may include curfews or lockdowns, are in force in the Overseas Territories depending on the circulation of the virus in the specific Territory. Visit the website of the relevant Prefecture or High Commission for the latest information.
In order to travel to an Overseas Territory you must present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old and a compelling reason to travel.
TRAVEL
You may not travel to and from countries outside the European space (European Union Member States, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland), except if you have an imperative reason. You must complete a travel certificate attesting to this imperative reason for entering the country and present a negative PCR test less than 72h old.
Travellers from the European space must present a negative PCR test less than 72h old to come to France.
Find more information about travel to France on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
More information
Find more information for foreign nationals on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
HEALTH ADVICE
What is coronavirus COVID-19?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
How can I protect myself from the virus?
The virus does not spread on its own. People who have the virus are the ones who spread it. Therefore, the following measures can help you protect yourself (and others) from the virus:
- Wash your hands very often or use hydro-alcoholic gel;
- Use single-use tissues, and then throw them away;
- Cough and sneeze into your arm or into a tissue;
- Do not shake hands or greet people with kisses on the cheek;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Respect social distancing: you should remain further than a metre from others;
- Wear a mask wherever it is obligatory to do so as well as in situations where social distancing cannot be respected;
- Limit social contacts as much as possible (and to a maximum of six people);
- Air rooms for ten minutes, three times a day.
What should you do if you are feeling ill?
If you have a cough or a temperature, stay at home, avoid contact with others and call a doctor.
If you have a cough and/or a temperature, and you have difficulty breathing and/or you are feeling faint, dial 15 or call or send a text to 114 if you have a speech or hearing impairment.
What should you do if you have been notified that you are a contact case?
Contact a test centre to make an appointment. The test should be taken immediately if you live with the person who has the virus, or seven days after your last contact if you don’t.
After the test, go straight home and self-isolate until you have the result.
HOTLINES
A toll-free hotline service (French only) can answer your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).
Please note that the toll-free hotline service cannot give medical advice.
