dos travel advisory france

Ministère de l'Intérieur et des outre-mer

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COVID-19 : International travel

Mobilising on a weekly basis up to 6,000 members of the civil security service to carry out tests, border guards to check travellers’ health documents and internal security forces to oversee the isolation or quarantine measures decreed by the prefects, this mechanism was duly adjusted in response to the changing health conditions and Community regulations.

In light of the latest developments in the pandemic, the port health control system has been discontinued, pursuant to the law terminating the emergency measures instituted to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

Accordingly, the rules previously applied to travellers to France no longer apply effective from 1 August 2022:

• Travellers are now exempt from any formalities prior to entry into France, be it in mainland France or overseas, and no longer required to present a health pass, regardless of the country or place of departure;
• Justification of travel (the “compelling reason”) is no longer required;
• Travellers are no longer required to present a sworn statement of non-contamination and an undertaking to undergo an antigen test or screening upon arrival in the country.

The same applies to travel between mainland France and each of the overseas territories. Similarly, the French authorities no longer require any justification for outgoing travel from France, be it from mainland France or overseas, or any exit clearance to travel to another country.

However, foreign countries may continue to apply specific entry measures and formalities.

As of February 16th 2023, all passengers traveling from China are no longer required to present a negative antigen or PCR test result dated less than 48 hours, or a sworn statement. Random screening on arrival is also discontinued.

It is still recommended to wear a single-use surgical mask on board the aircraft.

Passengers from China making a stopover in a different country to reach France are invited to check the conditions applicable to transits.

Click here  to find out more about Overseas Territories Travel.

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US warns citizens against travel to France over Covid concerns

Washington (AFP) –

Issued on: 10/08/2021 - 09:26

The US State Department has advised Americans to avoid all travel to France over rising coronavirus cases in the country.

France is battling a fourth wave of the virus even though Covid-19 hospitalizations are still way off previous highs.

The State Department issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for France on Monday, based on a parallel warning from the US Centers for Disease Control, the country's top medical body.

"If you must travel to France, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel," the CDC said.

France has recorded more than 6 million cases and 111,000 deaths in total, and daily cases have crept back up to around 20,000 a day while deaths remain low compared to the height of the pandemic.

A total of 74 million vaccine doses have been administered in France, according to the World Health Organization, and over 55 percent of the eligible population have received both vaccine doses.

It has also enforced a Covid pass for routine aspects of life.

Anger at President Emmanuel Macron's controversial plan to squeeze infections and encourage vaccinations has seen large protests recently, though polls have shown that a clear majority of French back the Covid pass, even including the extension this week to cafes and restaurants.

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What to Know About the State Department's New Travel Advisories for Europe

By Rachel Chang

Between pandemic outbreaks and unrest in much of the world, global travel inherently comes with more anxiety than before. On top of that, earlier in October, officials issued an updated U.S. State Department travel advisory for a slew of countries, ranging from Belize and Italy to South Africa and the U.K, putting them at a Level 2 status cautioning visitors to “exercise increased caution.” While the new batch of advisories captured travelers' attention, the reason they were issued is more complex than it might seem. Most of the updated bulletins were dated October 4 or 5, a few days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed COVID-19 Travel Health Notices from its site, a State Department spokesperson says. That change sparked the new advisories, but also drew attention to the warnings that had existed in each country.  Any time there is an alteration to the listed information, the travel advisory for each country will clearly note the reason for the update at the top. As with countries like Belize , Italy , France , and South Africa , the first line of the advisories read: “Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information”—noting that CDC change was the cause for the new advisory, as COVID-19 had been a major factor in these notices for the greater part of the last couple of years. For many of the nations, that was the sole reason for the update. But the State Department is constantly reviewing the information. Any country with a Travel Advisory at Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) or Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) is reassessed at least every 12 months, while any on Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) or Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) are looked at again every six months, at a minimum.  Moving forward, the State Department’s Travel Advisories will no longer include the CDC’s Travel Health Notices, and the CDC will only issue a notice for a country if a concerning COVID-19 variant is identified that alters recommendations for traveling there.

Large-scale safety warnings

With the health warnings off of these pages, terrorist and civil unrest advisories now sit at the top of many of the countries' pages. The State Department says that if the latest update was related to one of these reasons, it would be clearly labeled up front. Still, the recent update exposed just how many nations are currently at elevated caution levels.

“Level 2 travel warnings are not normal for these countries at this scale,” Jukka Laitamaki of NYU School of Professional Studies ’ Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality says. “Currently, in Europe only Scandinavian countries and Finland have the lowest Level 1 advisory.”

The State Department doesn’t specify what threats are behind the warnings, so it does mean travelers should be aware of the state of affairs in each country. “Pay attention to [the advisories] and use them as an important part of your travel planning,” he says. “Supplement them with local news from the destinations you plan to travel to and consider your own level of risk tolerance.” It’s possible recent one-off incidents like the Monet painting being defaced in Germany or the upcoming enthusiasm around the World Cup in November could be causes, Rewaken Adventure travel consultant Lori Avirett-Mackenzie says. “So State Department increasing the levels makes sense in a broad and general way,” she says.

Knowing how to use that information for travel planning can be difficult to parse. “There are no universal answers as the decision to travel and where to go when is highly personal,” Sandra Weinacht of Inside Europe . “But from my perspective and experience, I say yes, come to Europe.”  Of course that doesn’t mean completely letting your guard down—it may just be digging deeper into the specifics of where you’re going. Often the travel advisories will caution about certain areas. For instance, while Peru is on a Level 3 warning , there are certain border regions on Level 4. 

“We advise clients to take these alerts seriously, but we also recommend that, together, we dig into the alert and in more detail before changing or cancelling their travel plans to determine if or how the alert affects their specific trip,” Jenny Mikkelson at Travel Beyond says. She reminds that the advisories are issued for entire nations and for a broad range of traveler types, so specifics are important. “The particular destinations a traveler may be visiting may not be anywhere near the points of concern,” she adds.  Even so, Level 4 warnings stating not travel to the country should be heeded, Laitamaki says. As of press time, that list includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tonga, Venezuela, Yemen, and Ukraine.

No matter what the advisory level is, it’s also just important to stay smart while on the road. Officials recommend signing up for the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program with details of your trip in order to receive the latest safety and security alerts from the U.S. government.

While the advisories can be daunting, it shouldn’t prevent travelers from leaving home. “I believe the best option is to be well-educated and prepared,” Avirett-Mackenzie says. “International travel is key to changing and enlarging our perspectives, helping us all recognize that the vast majority of people everywhere have the same goals and are good and kind people at heart."

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

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International travel - Press release from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (30 January 2021)

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Following the measures announced by the government on 29 January 2021:

Travellers to or from a destination outside the European space

As of Sunday, 31 January 2021, all travel to France or from France to any country outside the European space (European Union Member States, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland) will be denied, with the exception of travel for imperative personal or family reasons, emergency medical treatment or professional trips that cannot be postponed.

If your travel falls within one of these exceptions, a sworn declaration can be downloaded on the Ministry of the Interior’s website .

It must be presented upon boarding to the transport company and accompanied by the appropriate supporting documents.

Travellers arriving from and travelling to a country in the European space

All travellers, irrespective of their means of transport (by air, sea or land), aged 11 years and over and who wish to enter France from a country in the European space (European Union, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland) must present the results of a virology test (RT-PCR) taken within 72 hours prior to departure and that does not identify COVID-19 contamination. Hauliers, cross-border workers and residents living within a 30-kilometre radius of a border area are exempt from this obligation.

Upon arrival in France, it is highly recommended to self-isolate for seven days, and submit to a second virology RT-PCR test at the end of the seven-day period.

10 Dos and Don’ts When In France

When in France, do as the French do….and this means it is important to follow the customs and etiquette so that you have a more enjoyable and inviting time in France.

Here are some quick tips to help you adjust to your stay in a country that is set on its rituals and traditions:

1. Do say hello (“Bonjour”) upon entering an establishment (ie. store, restaurant, etc) before you begin browsing or asking questions. Say good-bye (“Au revoir”) upon leaving.

2. Do learn some French phrases. It will show you are making the effort to speak the language and shows respect. Some phrases:

• Hello (“Bonjour”)
• Thank you (“Merci”)
• Excuse me (“Excusez-moi”)
• Please (“S’il vous plaît”)
• I am lost (“Je suis perdu”)
• Where are the bathrooms? (“Ou sont les toilettes?”)
• I don’t speak French. In English please (“Je ne parle pas Francais. En Anglais, s’il vous plaît”)

3. Do realize that to use the washroom in places such as a train station or department store, you will have to pay a nominal fee (ie. 0.35 Euros)

4. Do take the metro (subway) and hang onto your ticket until you leave your station.  You could be checked by the police and fined if you don’t have your ticket stub.

5. Do remember to validate your ticket before you board a train. Validating machines are located at the entrance to the “quai” or platform.

6. Do dress appropriately. Jeans are OK, but shorts, flip flops, and running shoes are not. They are for the beach and exercising.

7. Do shake hands with acquaintances or “air kiss” those who are close to you when you are greeting the person. Air kissing involves bringing your cheek close to the other’s cheek as if you are going to kiss the cheek. It is a ritual, called “Faire la bise” and indicates friendship. The number of kisses depends on the region. In most of France, one kisses each cheek once; however, in other areas, it could range from 3-5. What side to start on? I have read one starts on the right; however, opinions differ.

8. Do consider a “Prix Fixe” menu, which will include a starter, main course, and dessert at a fixed price. Some restaurants have prix fixe menus with many choices for each course. Some offer menus which include some wine.

9. Do consider ordering a “pichet” of wine. Technically, it is a “jug” of wine, but really it is a carafe of wine and comes in different sizes: 25 cl or 50 cl.  (250 ml or 500ml). It is the restaurant’s house wine and is very often very good and a good deal.

10. Do expect to find the sale of wine and liquor in grocery stores and the store, Monoprix.

You might also like to read these posts:  – Consider Taking A French Immersion Course In France: Comparison Of 3 Schools   – Top 10 Helpful Hints     – Don’t Make These Embarrassing Mistakes In France  

Newsletter community members get access to free exclusive content like this bonus, “Top 10 Photo Locations In Paris” cheat sheet. Sign up now!

DON’TS

1. Do not use “Tu” (you) to address another person unless that person is quite familiar to you. Use “Vous”, as it is more formal.

2. Do not take out coffee and drink it while walking down the street. Drink it at a cafe, either standing at a bar or sitting at a table.

3. Do not touch the produce at an outdoor market. Simply indicate to the seller what you want

4. Do not order a cafe au lait to end your meal. This drink is taken at breakfast.

5. Do not rush your meal.  The French enjoy their time to relax over a coffee or meal. You should too and take at least 2 hours to savor the flavors.

6. Do not assume all stores will be open between 12-2 pm as this is when most people have lunch.

7. Do not assume everyone speaks and understands English.

8. Do not (have to) tip as the 15% service charge is included in the bill most of the time. The bill will say, “Service Compris”.  However, it is a custom to leave an additional few Euros at dinner if the service was exceptional.

9. Do not expect to get ice in your drink. It is just rare to find drinks with ice in France as compared to North America.

10. Do not have dinner before 8:00 pm. It is more acceptable to have a pre-dinner drink (cocktail hour or “apero”) such as wine, beer, a kir or pastis between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. It can be served with nuts or crackers.

Be sure to check out these other posts about etiquette and customs in France:

• Top 10 Helpful Hints
• 10 Costly And Embarrassing Mistakes To Avoid In France

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I've travelled to France over 35 times and love sharing my tips and unique experiences not always mentioned in travel guides. You can learn more about me by visiting my About Page . Subscribe to join my newsletter. Community members get access to free exclusive content and bonuses.

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25 Comments

One thing I would add is that when using the metro you need to watch that you don’t get into the first class by mistake – you can only tell which is first class by where you stand on the platform. I once got a hefty fine by making this error!

The good news is that Paris eliminated the 1st and 2nd class system on the Metro in 1991, although France’s national state-run SNCF rail system still has it…and there IS a difference, while back in the 1980s, I didn’t see any difference between the two classes on the Metro.

Merci beaucoup! J’aime France:-)

J’aime toute la France! And the people, the cuisine, and the sights!

Absolument!

Terrific tips Jan! I especially will remember the jug of wine tip.

A day without wine is like a day without sunshine (is that how the phrase goes?)

I’m cool with everything but not being allowed to have coffee after my meal. That’s their custom and that’s fine but to be judged on it is silly to me. I’m not pretending to be French – just trying not to be rude or insensitive. My odds of behaving well are higher if I have caffeine to keep me from being grumpy!

Hmmmm….I think I’m pretending to be French. Or I believe I am French!

It’s perfectly normal to have coffee after your meal, what is said is that it may appear unusual if you ask milk inside. Waiters WILL ask you if you want coffee before bringing the bill, but they usually mean black coffee.

Great list of dos and don’t for France. I like knowing how to behave properly so as not to be rude or stand out too much when I travel. The only one of these I simply disregard is the “Cafe Au Lait only for Breakfast” rule. I want my Cafe Creme when I want it and I don’t care! I often order it at sidewalk cafes in the afternoon while wandering the streets of Paris. Fortunately, so far no Parisian waiter has refused to serve it to me or even scowled when I ordered it!

I hear you! I love my Cafe Creme too!

Great tips. It’s always good to know these types of things. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to France, but hopefully will get back there soon. The one item that might be an issue for me is not wearing runners. I have arthritis in my toes and if I am going to do any amount of walking, I need to wear my running (actually walking) shoes.

When you are in France there is so much walking to do and I don’t blame you for wearing walking shoes. After overwalking in France (and running a 20 km race) I came back with a stress fracture, so I totally understand.

Some great tips here! I must confess, a lot of the “don’t do’s” were new to me, and I’m glad to have read this before my next trip to France. Don’t want any faux pas!

I still make mistakes, but try as hard as possible to speak French so they are a bit more forgiving!

Awesome tips! Planning to go there and this blog can really help me while in France. Thank you!

Glad it was helpful!

While in the past shorts may have been frowned upon, times have changed. I think the summers are very hot now and the French have finally embraced them.

When packing for Paris this past summer I wouldn’t let my daughter pack shorts so we didn’t stand out as tourists. After never seeing shorts on French people in all my years of travel there, they were everywhere last summer! Not just on tourists! Even the men were wearing shorts! A longer walking short seemed to be popular for males, but shorts of any length (even VERY short) were being worn by females. Even denim cutoffs! Needless to say my daughter was miffed at me and promptly went out and bought a pair of shorts to wear.

We EVEN saw flip flops! Yes, the elusive flip flop worn by Parisians. They were very nice and stylish (not cheap Target type flip flops) but were flip flops none the less.

So you need to change your list. 🙂

Yes, France was incredibly hot this past summer. I think it’s really the young people (under 18) who wear shorts, not folks my age (well over 18!).

“Do not order or consume soft drinks or coffee with your meal” , as a french woman , I have to say that I have never heard such a weird thing 😮 Not all french are alcoholic lol, of course you can order a soft drink with your meal, thats actually what 90% of people do in here in Paris.

I don’t get the don’t have diner before 8pm. I’ve lived in Paris and people do have diner before that, even I have and we didn’t get any funny looks or found that they thought it was weird. So where is this coming from?

Actually, I should have said dinner is between 7-9 but if you go too early you might be the only one in the restaurant!

What is also very useful to know is that every restaurant MUST provide you with FREE water (usually tap water, but still). Same goes for bread: no French restaurant will charge you for bread with your meal, except if it is a specific bread on the menu (garlic bread for example).

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Germany Travel Advisory

Travel advisory may 1, 2024, germany - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits

Exercise increased caution in Germany due to  terrorism .

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations and transportation hubs. They also target markets/shopping malls and local government facilities. They target hotels, clubs, and restaurants. They also attack places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. They target schools, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Germany.

If you decide to travel to Germany:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Germany.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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