Travel rules eased for school trips to France

Whether vaccinated or not, children and adults can now visit France on a school trip.

No tests are required for fully vaccinated travellers who can demonstrate their COVID status via the NHS COVID Pass.

Adults and children aged from 12 years who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a PCR test (within 72 hours) or lateral flow test (within 48 hours) before travel. 

To be considered fully vaccinated, and exempt from a pre-departure test:

• adults will need a booster if their initial COVID vaccination course was completed more than 9 months before travel
• children will need to have completed their full vaccination course - two jabs - to be considered fully vaccinated
• the only exception is travellers who have a COVID recovery certificate dated more than 11 days and less than six months prior to departure.

Note that the final dose must be administered at least 7 – 28 days before travel - the timescale depends on the type of vaccine. The foreign office website explains these rules in more detail.

Sworn statements of honour are no longer required to enter France. The Foreign Office website says that travellers may be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding (though, to date, we are not aware of any groups who have been asked to do this).

The UK is on France's green list. Visit the French Consulate website for more information on travellers entering France from a green list country.

All French COVID Health Pass rules were lifted on 14^th March which means that:

• children and adults no longer need to demonstrate their COVID status via the Pass Vaccinal or Pass Sanitaire to enter venues 
• unvaccinated children no longer need a test to enter domestic venues
• masks are no longer required at most indoor venues (except for public transport).