UK nationals who are resident in other EU Member States and who have travelled to the UK for the Christmas period will be able to transit France over the New Year period in order to return home to their country of residence, The French authorities announced yesterday.
Travellers should be aware of the following requirements:
- All travellers aged 12 years and over must present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure.
- Before travel, anyone coming from the UK must provide contact details, including the address they will be staying at, to the French authorities via an online form.
- All travellers must present 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 Consulatein London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’.
- All travellers 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.
On arrival in France, all travellers must self-isolate for 48 hours, after which time a negative PCR or antigen test is required to exit self-isolation. Without a negative test result, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider. Test results must be certified by a laboratory to be accepted.
Adults travelling from the UK to France by Eurostar who are not fully vaccinated will be asked to take an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival at Gare du Nord (vaccination status will be checked
ahead of departure at St Pancras). Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will be subject to mandatory self-isolation for 10 days.
Travelling through France from the UK
The French authorities confirmed on 30 December that UK nationals who are resident in other EU Member States and who have travelled to the UK for the Christmas period will be able to transit France over the New Year period in order to return home to their country of residence.
- Transit for less than 24 hours in the international zone of an airport is listed under “essential reasons” to travel.
Editors Note:The British Embassy has warned travellers not to delay returning to Spain through France as they are unaware of how long this “window” will remain open.
