Mainland France is bordered by eight countries and each of them have different travel rules in place due to coronavirus.
Andorra and Monaco
There are no entrance restrictions or quarantine measures in place for people travelling between France and Andorra or France and Monaco.
Belgium
Anyone travelling from France to Belgium for more than 48 hours must complete a Passenger Locator Form.
There are no restrictions on people transiting through Belgium, by any means of transport.
Belgium has placed many of France’s departments on its red and orange zone lists.
A full list of the French departments placed in Belgium’s orange or red zones can be found here.
For anyone travelling to Belgium from a red zone, they must carry out a coronavirus test and quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
These measures are only recommended for anyone travelling from an orange zone.
Germany
Anyone entering Germany from a country or area at risk must self-isolate until they can get a coronavirus test. The test must be carried out within 72 hours of arriving in Germany. A negative test might exempt travellers from the 14-day quarantine, although some German states are demanding two negative tests.
Travellers also have the option of presenting a coronavirus test (in German or English) upon arrival, carried out less than 48 hours before arriving in Germany. This would exempt them from the mandatory quarantine period.
Travellers should also register with a German health authority upon arrival in the country.
The regions in France that are classed as risk zones by Germany are:
Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Corsica, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Brittany, Centre-Val-de-Loire and Normandy and also Guyane, Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Reunion.
This is subject to change and travellers should consult the Robert Koch Institut’s website for the latest information before going to Germany.
Any traveller who has spent any time in one of these areas within two weeks before going to Germany must comply with the quarantine-on-arrival and testing measures, outlined above.
Travellers are exempt from the rules if they are simply transiting (by air) through Germany.
There are no specific restrictions on travellers from Germany to France.
Italy
Everyone travelling from France to Italy must complete this form before entering the territory.
It should be presented to the travel company you are using (airline, bus service, train operator etc) at the point of departure.
Further restrictions on entering Italy from France depend which region of the country you are travelling from.
For anyone travelling from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, there are extra restrictions in place.
Travellers coming from these regions must:
- Report to a regional health authority on arrival in Italy.
- Present a negative PCR coronavirus test or blood test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or get a test on arrival in Italy.
Airlines cannot refuse boarding to people who do not have a test as it is possible to get one upon arrival in Italy.
However, If the test carried out in Italy is positive, the traveller will be placed in quarantine (in accommodation at their own expense) and will not be allowed to leave Italy until after quarantine and two consecutive negative tests carried out 24 hours apart.
The rules will not apply to people who must cross the border to work, or those transiting through Italy for fewer than 72 hours
Travellers coming from another region in France can enter Italy freely, including for tourism, and do not need to present a negative coronavirus test.
However, if they have travelled by plane, train or have transited through one of the French regions mentioned above, then the added restrictions apply.
There are no restrictions on people travelling from Italy to France, except that they must abide by local coronavirus-related measures.
Luxembourg
There are no entrance restrictions or quarantine measures in place for people travelling between France and Luxembourg.
Spain
There are no entrance restrictions or quarantine measures in place for people travelling between France and Spain.
Anyone travelling from France to Spain by air will have to fill in a form with contact information and flight details.
In Spain, it is mandatory for everyone over six years old to wear a mask in public spaces, including hotels and shops, when a distance of one-and-a-half metres between people cannot be kept.
There are also specific restrictions in Madrid and surrounding areas, including bars, restaurants and hotels closing at 22:00 and public gatherings limited to six people.
Switzerland
Anyone travelling from France to Switzerland must quarantine for 10 days if they are coming from any of nine French regions, plus the overseas territories:
Centre-Val-de-Loire, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, Normandy, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie, Pays-de-la-Loire and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Travellers from these regions do not need to present a medical certificate or a negative coronavirus test.
Transit through Switzerland is allowed for travellers from these regions as long as they do not remain in Switzerland for more than 24 hours. They should carry proof of their final destination with them.
You can find out more about travel restrictions at Schengen Visa Info, which reports all the latest changes and is a useful resource for anyone planning a trip in Europe.
