The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that beginning today Friday, 14 January 2022, vaccinated travelers from the UK will no longer have to demonstrate a "compelling reason" for entering France.
Thousands of Brits immediately responded by booking French ski holidays. The busiest airline route is that between Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle, with 424 trips planned by the end of January. Also, Eurostar said in a statement that it will run additional trains to meet increased demand.
French rules for visitation from the UK as of today are:
- All travelers aged 12 and over must present proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours.
- For unvaccinated minors under age 12, the vaccine status of their accompanying parent or guardian shall apply.
- Vaccinated travelers need not present a compelling reason, self-isolate upon arrival or complete the "e-OSA Passager" form. Screening may take place upon arrival, and persons testing positive will be isolated.
- Non-vaccinated travelers must still present proof of a compelling reason for travel, complete the "e-OSA Passager" form including address in France, and upon arrival quarantine at that address for 10 days. Police will enforce the quarantine requirement.
However: note that COVID-19 still rages in France - with a record 368,817 new cases and 341 deaths reported yesterday.
Pre-pandemic, the UK accounted for 14% of overseas visitors to France, and € 60B in annual spend .
