France will ‘progressively’ lift restrictions for Americans as of May
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
For those who enjoy their vin et fromage, this week brings some good news for the possibility of a summer vacation in France.
French President Emmanuel Macron told CBS News on Sunday that France will start to lift travel restrictions starting in May, citing a possible vaccination passport to allow a person to travel. These enhanced travel privileges would affect non-European Union nations, such as the United States.
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!
“We will progressively lift the restrictions of the beginning of May, which means that we will organize in the summer time with our professionals in France for French European citizens, but as well for American citizens,” Macron said. “So we are working hard to propose a very concrete solution, especially for U.S. citizens who are vaccinated, so with a special pass, I would say.”
Full details still need to be worked out by the French government, but Macron said that ideally, France would be open for travelers “who are vaccinated, with a special pass” insinuating that a vaccine certificate or a negative COVID-19 PCR test would be required for travel to France.
Macron mentioned that his government is in the final stage of developing such a certificate, creating the possibility that a summer vacation in France will no longer just be a hope but a reality for Americans.
Related: Can Americans finally go to Europe?
To date, France has distributed more than 16 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines — about 12.5% of the country’s population, according to Reuters. Cases of COVID-19 within the country are on the decline, with 344 infections per 100,000 people in the past seven days.
Macron said that the French government is working with its U.S. counterparts in the White House to lift travel restrictions between the two countries. While France has been closed to American citizens, the U.S. has also been closed to Europeans. Since March 2020, the United States has not allowed non-citizens coming from Europe — including the U.K. — to enter.
Macron’s statement on Sunday has been one of the most notable in the reopening of travel in Europe — especially for Americans. While other European countries like Germany and the Netherlands are still in a lockdown state until further notice, other countries are starting to show signs of reopening.
Italy announced it was set to begin the easing of restrictions ahead of schedule and Malta is even paying some travelers to go on holiday, providing a positive outlook for a summer holiday in southern Europe. Greece, meanwhile, announced plans to reopen its borders to travelers coming from some countries, including the U.S. and U.K., as soon as this week.
Featured image by Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.