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Updated France entry rules: No testing required for vaccinated travelers, but you still need a vaccine pass
Caroline Tanner
News reporter
A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Feb. 18, 2022
•
5 min read
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Editor's Note
This is a continually updated story.
Just yesterday, I wrote about the ever-changing entry protocols for France, namely the dropping of the arrival testing requirement for travelers from certain countries, including America.
Since this is the first time (thus far) that France has actually made it easier for travelers to enter, I thought we would use this week's column to answer more questions about how this affects travel to the country.
1. What are the current France entry requirements for fully vaccinated travelers?
As of Feb. 12, fully vaccinated travelers coming from countries designated as "green" or "orange" (the United States is currently orange) no longer need to take a COVID-19 test before departing for France.
This is welcome news that means vaccinated and boosted travelers can enter France by showing proof of vaccination with an approved vaccine, specifically:
- Pfizer.
- Moderna.
- AstraZeneca.
- Johnson & Johnson.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs provides a list of countries by color here.
2. Is a booster required to be considered 'fully vaccinated'?
Yes. Travelers are only considered fully vaccinated if they have been boosted within nine months of their final dose of one of the four accepted COVID-19 vaccines.
Those who received their booster more than nine months after their second dose can begin entering France one week after their booster.
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3. How does the timing of the booster affect the vaccine pass?
The “pass vaccinal” is still necessary to enter any public space requiring proof of vaccination and is available to people age 18 and older. Travelers are eligible for the pass if they have been boosted within four months of their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Vaccinated people ages 12-17 can obtain a pass without a booster and unvaccinated people ages 12-15 may procure a temporary, 24-hour health pass by submitting a negative PCR test).
"The 4 month time period for the booster only applies to people who have been recently vaccinated, per Atout France. "The idea is that if you received your second dose then you need a booster no more than 4 months after. The essential thing is that you need a booster to receive the Vaccine Pass."
You do not need to be boosted within three to four months of travel but must show proof of a booster if four months have elapsed since the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two months after a single-dose vaccine.
4. Do vaccine passes expire?
For Johnson & Johnson recipients, vaccine passes expire after two months. Otherwise, the pass expires four months after a two-dose vaccine, meaning the only way to maintain an active vaccine pass is by submitting updated proof of a booster shot.
5. Are at-home COVID-19 tests acceptable to get into France?
If you are unvaccinated and approved to travel to France, note that self-tests are not permitted for entry into France.
Currently, the following test types are acceptable for entry into France:
- RT-PCR.
- PCR.
- qRT-PCR.
- RT-LAMP.
- LAMP.
- RNA detection.
- Antigen detecting protein N.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.