How do Americans prove Covid vaccination status to enter France?

The US Embassy in Paris states it is still waiting for an update from France on this

JFK International Airport in New York
Inside of Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York

People in the US who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can enter France from tomorrow (June 9) without an essential reason.

This was announced by the French government on June 4.

Covid: US and UK on France's amber travel list from June 9

However, it is not yet clear how people in the US will prove their vaccination status to travel authorities or border agents.

The US Embassy in France states on its website (June 8): “At this time, we do not yet know what France will consider as sufficient proof of vaccination.”

People vaccinated against Covid-19 in the US receive a card attesting to this.

Some Americans have stated on social media that they also plan to bring emails proving vaccination appointments as supplementary evidence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection in the US currently classifies France as Level 3, meaning there are “high levels of Covid-19”. It recommends only people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 travel to France.

The US has been placed on France’s amber travel list, meaning that people who are considered fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter France from June 9 without an essential reason and without having to quarantine on arrival.

They will though also need to take a Covid-19 test before travelling and present the results showing it is negative to travel authorities. If it is a PCR test, it must be taken within 72 hours of travelling, if it is a rapid antigen test, it must be taken within 48 hours of travelling.

Under France’s June 9 travel rules, travellers from the US will have to present proof of being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

People are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines
  • Four weeks after receiving the first (and only) dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • Two weeks after the first dose of a vaccination for anyone who has already had Covid-19

People in the US who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will need an essential reason to enter France. Most of the essential reasons relate to having the right to work or live in France or the EU.

There is also an exception for people who have a close family member in France who is terminally ill or has recently died.

UK-France Covid travel June 9: Non-vaccinated can come for family need

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Covid: US and UK on France's amber travel list from June 9

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Americans and Britons must be fully vaccinated to travel to France