The French health pass keeps changing; here are the latest details on how to use it
Last week's sudden change in the way travelers can apply for France's digital health pass has left many confused, prompting questions about applications that were previously submitted or obtained before the online application portal closed and how and where exactly this pass works.
In case you missed it, applications for the French health pass abruptly closed on Oct. 31, causing quite a stir among Americans headed to France worried about being able to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces. While we still have some looming questions about whether the online application portal will re-open and if this process will get any easier in time, we now have clarification on existing requests for passes, expiry around the pass and how it works throughout Europe.
Here are this week's top five questions:
[table-of-contents /]
1. Do we know if they plan on fulfilling existing online health pass requests?
According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in France, applications for the digital health pass submitted in the previous online portal before Oct. 29 will still be processed.
However, the Embassy notes this is far from a guarantee and still recommends travelers go to a pharmacy upon arrival to get a full pass generated by proof of vaccination or a temporary 72-hour pass via a negative COVID-19 test.
2. Does the health pass expire?
This is an excellent question I received from many TPG readers who had obtained a health pass prior to last week and were left wondering whether it is still valid and if so, can it be used on multiple trips and for how long. In those cases, your previous health pass does not expire as long as it was based on your vaccination status verified at participating local pharmacies throughout France, per the Embassy spokesperson.
However, the 72-hour temporary pass currently available at pharmacies by submitting a negative COVID-19 test does not last beyond the 72-hour period.
"In this case, it expires after 72 hours indeed," the Embassy said.
3. Is the health pass accepted throughout the EU?
Once you receive a digital health pass in France, you can use it throughout Europe for places requesting proof of vaccination, as it serves as the equivalent of the EU Digital COVID certificate used by people vaccinated in the EU.
Because the European Commission implemented a coordinated effort to show proof of vaccination throughout the EU's 27 nations, the digital health pass you obtain in France can be used outside of France throughout the rest of Europe.
"It is generated in a DCC digital format recognized throughout the EU and countries that have established a mutual recognition agreement with the EU," the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs notes here.
"This is the beauty of European integration," the Embassy said.
4. How do I update my pass with my booster shot info?
On Nov. 9, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that French locals would be required to show proof of a third booster COVID-19 shot in order to continue using their health pass as valid, starting with those who are at least 65.
"To everyone over 65, I want to say: in the face of the virus, you are more at risk. This is why we launched a recall campaign this summer. We have to speed up. From December 15, you will need to justify a reminder for your health pass," he tweeted.
From this announcement, it seems likely that visitors to France will also need to show proof of a booster shot at some point, though details on that have not yet been released.
5. Is a health pass needed in French territories?
If you are visiting one of the five French overseas territories (St. Barths, St. Martin, St. Pierre and Miquelon, the Wallis and Futuna islands and French Polynesia), you're subject to any COVID-19 protocols of that specific country.
For example, St. Barth Properties, a local real estate company, lists entry requirements on their website, including that all visitors to the island ages 18 and older (or children between 12 and 18 traveling alone) arriving from the U.S. must show proof of vaccination in addition to a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Entry to St. Barths for non-vaccinated visitors is restricted to those who have a pre-approved compelling reason.
They also note that either a French digital health pass or proof of full vaccination is required for everyone 18 and older to enter most indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars and hotels, so be sure to cross-check requirements with both France and the territory.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees