It's now the spring half-term holidays and families are jetting away abroad before more rules come into force.
In general, the travel sector is becoming the most relaxed we've seen with many top destination hot spots removing their covid rules such as the need to show proof of a negative test or vaccination.
France is one of the latest countries to have done so by removing testing for vaccinated passengers.
But what are the other rules we need to stick to - and does the same rules apply for holidaymakers that are not fully vaccinated?
Here are all the covid travel rules you need to know when travelling from the UK to France...
Fully vaccinated tourists
In a tweet on February 11, Consul General of France, Guillaume Bazard, announced that travellers coming from the UK to France will no longer need to take a covid test.
The French Government then confirmed that "proof of vaccination will be sufficient to come to France whatever country you are coming from, just as it was before the spread of the omicron variant."
However in order to avoid testing, you must be fully vaccinated.
This means that if you have not had your second primary covid dose within the last 270 days (or nine months) you must have had your booster vaccine - and you will need to show proof of this which can be found on Scotland's NHS covid status app.
Despite being fully vaccinated, there is a time-limit when it comes to your vaccines.
This means that if you have not had your second dose within the last 270 days (or nine months) you must have had your booster vaccine - and you will need to show proof of this.
If you are unable to do so, travellers aged 18 and one month will need to follow the rules for unvaccinated passengers to enter France meaning you must self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks.
In addition to being fully vaccinated, you must provide a completed 'sworn statement' (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are 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.
You may also be asked to complete the European Digital Passenger Locator Form (EU-PLF) before boarding.
Non-fully vaccinated tourists
- 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
- A completed international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website. In exceptional circumstances, the French Con-sulate in London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’
- A completed 'sworn statement' (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are 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
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.
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
Children under 18
Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide:
- Proof of vaccination. Further details on what counts as being fully vaccinated can be found below
- A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from covid symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
The Gov.uk website states: "If an unvaccinated child arrives in France with a vaccinated adult, they may follow the rules of entry for those who are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated minors (aged 12 – 17) accompanied by unvaccinated adults or unaccompanied unvaccinated minors are subject to the same travel regulations as unvaccinated adults (PCR/antigen test less within 24 hours pre-departure, essential reason for travel, ‘sworn statement’, digital platform registration and self-isolation on arrival).
"Children under 12 are exempt from all covid travel restrictions, but must still complete a ‘sworn statement’. Further guidance can be found on the French government’s website, and the French Embassy in the UK’s website."
Further information can be found on the French government’s website (in French) and the French Embassy in the UK’s website (in English).
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
