France Travel update:Covid 19 coronavirus-Today France mandates vaccination passes for dining and travel

By: Susan Sherren for Couture Trips
Published: 7/26/21 11:15 CST

​Today France's Parliament approved new legislation that is aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other COVID variants.  Individuals will now be required to have a  special virus pass for all restaurants and domestic travel. The new law also mandates vaccinations for all health workers starting September 15th . Approximately, 111,000 people with the virus have died in France, which is registering about 20,000 new infections daily compared to just a few thousand earlier this month. These efforts initially applies to all adults, but will apply to everyone 12 and older starting September 30.

Macron called for national unity and cooperation in an effort to fight the virus. Reports of protests have surfaced related to the mandate. Macron also stated "What is your freedom worth if you say to me 'I don't want to be vaccinated', but tomorrow you infect your father, your mother or myself?" He reiterated,"people are free to express themselves in a calm and respectful manner", he said," demonstrations won't make the coronavirus go away". He condemned "people who are in the business of irrational, sometimes cynical, manipulative mobilisation."

In order to access the pass, individuals must have proof they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative or recently recovered from the virus. Paper or digital documents will be accepted. The legislation will also outline how to handle vaccination documents from other countries. 

How Can Americans Obtain the Health Pass or Le Pass Sanitaire- ?
American vaccination cards do not have QR codes that will allow a non-EU traveler to upload their documents into the French system. You can present your vaccination cards to a French physicians who can then upload your vaccination, COVID-19 test or other proof of illness documents into their system which will allow the generation of the appropriate QR code. 

The U.S. Embassy in Paris has posted this statement on their website- 

• As of July 21, the French government has not provided official information on obtaining a health pass for people vaccinated outside the European Union.  While some people have been able to have their information entered into the French system by a French doctor or pharmacist, others have been told this is not possible. At this time, the Embassy is not aware of the extent to which it is still possible to have the U.S. information entered into the French system.  We will update this website when we have additional information.

Locations Where the Health Pass is Required

Since July 21, anyone over 18 years of age and over must present one of the three health proofs provided for by the health pass to go to places of leisure and culture bringing together more than 50 people:

• Auditions, conferences, projection and meeting rooms
• Marquees, tents and structures
• Concert and performance halls
• Cinemas
• Festivals (sitting and standing)
• Closed and covered sporting events
• Outdoor establishments
• Gaming rooms, escape-games, casinos
• Places of worship when they host cultural and non-religious activities
• Fairs and exhibitions
• Zoological parks, amusement parks and circuses
• Museums and temporary exhibition halls
• Libraries (except university and specialized ones)
• Cultural events organized in higher education establishments
• Fairgrounds with more than 30 stalls or attractions
• Any event, cultural, sporting, fun or festive, organized in the public space likely to give rise to a control of the access of people 
• Ships and cruise ships with accommodation 
• Discos, clubs and dancing bars.

(Information obtained from https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/pass-sanitaire)


We are keeping updated on the situation as it pertains to our travelers. Please contact Couture Trips to schedule a complimentary consultation.