COVID-19 Information | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France

The Department of State has issued COVID-19 Traveler Information and advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide.

Updated December 15, 2020

Country-Specific Information:

France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.
The Government of France imposed a stay-at-home curfew on December 15. The curfew is from 20:00 (8 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m., except for December 24, when families can celebrate Christmas with no more than six adults per household. The curfew holds for New Year’s Eve.
You no longer need an attestation to leave your residence and there is no restriction on the number of hours per day you may leave the house or the distance you can travel within France.
Schools at the high school level and below remain open. U.S. citizens will be able to return to the United States. Public transportation, pharmacies, and stores are open. Religious services are limited to no more than 30 people, and restaurants (other than for take-out), gyms, bars, and entertainment centers –including museums, theaters, and Disney –are closed. Private social gatherings that extend beyond members of the same household are prohibited (except for six adults on Christmas Eve).
Everyone is expected to practice social distancing (one meter), use cloth face coverings, and avoid large gatherings that may spread the virus. Cloth face coverings are mandatory in indoor settings and on public transportation. Many cities, including Paris, have made face coverings mandatory in all outdoor areas as well. Failure to wear a face covering when required may result in a fine of approximately $150.
The U.S. Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Strasbourg are evaluating the effects of the new confinement, and expect to maintain the following regular services: passport processing, reports of birth abroad, notary actions, voting assistance, and federal benefits assistance (Paris). United States citizens should make appointments for these services. The Consulate General in Marseille is currently only offering emergency services. Contact the consulate directly at CitizeninfoMarseille@state.gov for emergency assistance.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter France? No

Broad restrictions on non-essential travel from many countries outside the European Union, including the United States, remain in place. The French government has defined essential travel as entry by French citizens, residents of France, all foreign (including United States citizen) students (with appropriate visa or residence permit), and spouses and children of French citizens.
In rare cases, the French government will consider allowing travel in humanitarian situations and in cases of business activity important to the French economy, and have announced a program to allow unmarried couples to reunite. Persons may inquire about such allowances with the French Embassy in Washington, DC (visas@consulfrance-washington.org).
The United States Embassy has no standing to intervene or advocate for the private travel of United States citizens to France. Please contact your nearest French Embassy or French Consulateor refer to France Visas. If you are already in France, please contact your nearest Prefecture or refer to the Ministry of the Interior or Prefecture de Police.
Anyone entering France or transiting through France to reach the United States must have an attestation, available here, with the English version here. You do not need an endorsement from the Embassy for this attestation.
Transit passengers through Charles De Gaulle Airport are being allowed under certain conditions. Transiting passengers may not leave the international zone and will not be admitted to France. Luggage must be checked through to your final destination. You will not be permitted to leave the international zone to collect and recheck baggage. The duration of transit must be less than 24 hours.
For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (English version).

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry to France? Yes

As of 5 August 2020, air passengers arriving from certain countries, including the United States, must present “results of a negative virology COVID-19 test (a PCR test for example), carried out less than 72 hours before the flight” or they will not be allowed to board their flight to France.
Please note this testing requirement applies only to travelers who are otherwise allowed to travel to France. Entry by non-essential travelers is suspended regardless of COVID-19 test status.
For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (English version).

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes

France is performing temperature checks and there are two Covid-19 testing centers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris-Orly airport. Departing passengers must make an appointment online (doctolib.fr). According to Paris Aéroport, results for the RT-PCR test are available within 48 hours and within 1 to 2 hours for an antigenic test.

Where can I get information on my French visa?

On April 24, French authorities announced a 6-month extension of visas de long séjour, titres de séjour, autorisations provisoires de séjour, and Récépissés de demande de titre de séjour with expiration dates between March 16 and June 15, 2020. We refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (in English)for more information.

Movement Restrictions:

Is a curfew in place?

Yes, there is a stay-at-home curfew from 20:00 (8 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. for all of France.

Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Please read below

There are no restrictions for traveling within France.
Internal European borders remain open but external borders are closed except for essential travel. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States can do so.
In addition, France has imposed movement or travel controls on several of its overseas territories and departments. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Quarantine Information:

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Please read below

You will be subject to a one-week quarantine period if you have symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival or you cannot present a negative PCR test, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.

COVID-19 Testing:

U.S. citizens in France can obtain a COVID-19 PCR test at laboratories listed on this website, usually by appointment. Note that pharmacies can only do the serologic test.
PCR tests cost between 70 and 80 euros. Testing is paid for by the individual, unless he/she is covered by French Health insurance (“Sécurité Sociale”).

Transportation Options:

Are commercial flights operating? Yes

Is public transportation operating? Yes

Cloth face coverings are required on all public transportation and in all public spaces, including in the stations.
Failing to wear a cloth face covering where required can result in a 135 Euro fine (approximately $150).
A growing number of French cities now require cloth face coverings in outdoor areas throughout or in designated parts of the city. This includes Parisand its suburbs, where cloth face coverings are required in all outdoor locations. Rules vary by city and can change quickly. Check with the website of each city.
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may return to the United States. Contact your airline for updated status on your scheduled flight(s). Note that on March 11, updated on March 16, 2020, President Trump issued “Proclamation—Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus” (found at www.whitehouse.gov). This proclamation does not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. In addition, certain family members of U.S. citizens are also exempted.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

Non-compliance with the mask, curfew, or lockdown requirements can lead to a fine of 135 Euros for a first offense. Repeat offenders can be fined up to 1500 Euros (about $1,750).

Consular Operations:

American Citizen Services: The U.S. Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Strasbourg have resumed the following regular services – passport processing, reports of birth abroad, notary actions, voting assistance, and federal benefits assistance (Paris). United States citizens should see the corresponding pages on this website to make appointments for these services. The Consulate General in Marseille is currently offering only emergency services. Contact the consulate directly at CitizeninfoMarseille@state.gov for emergency assistance.
Visa Services: Limited visa services are available in critical travel categories, including students and investors. Most travel from the Schengen area – including France – to the United States remains suspended at this time. For more information, or to schedule a visa appointment, please see: https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas/

Local Resources: