What It’s Like to Enter France, Europe As a Vaccinated American Tourist
A majority of countries on the continent are welcoming Americans and some are even accepting unvaccinated tourists. Some countries still require negative COVID-19 tests but others are only requiring proof of vaccination.
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France opened to the US in June, with vaccinated Americans needing no more than a valid passport and their vaccination cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enter.
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Source: US Embassy in France
Popular French tourist destinations including Paris, Nice, and Marseille can once again be enjoyed.
I visited France as a vaccinated American tourist in August. Here’s what it was like.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Normally, I’d only need my passport for this journey as American tourists don’t need a visa to travel to France and the UK. But this time, I’d also need my vaccination certificate.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
France’s entry rules are quite lenient for Americans. “Fully vaccinated travelers coming from these countries can enter with proof of vaccination,” the US Embassy in France says, adding that no negative test is required for vaccinated travelers.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Source: US Embassy in France
Passport and vaccination card in hand, I made my way to the Eurostar departures area and showed the staff my documents.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
These staff members, whether they work for an airline, airport, rail company, or boat service, are often the first line of defense for document verification.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
While I had everything I needed, I also had to fill out and sign a statement attesting to my vaccination status.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Only then was I allowed to proceed to the next step in the Eurostar process.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Next up was the French border police. Eurostar travelers bound for France go through passport control at St. Pancras International to speed along the arrival process in Paris and catch any unauthorized travelers before they arrive on French soil.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I was asked for my passport, vaccination card, and sworn statement, which I had readily available. The border guard didn’t even ask why I was traveling to France, and simply asked “are you vaccinated?”
Thomas Pallini/Insider
It was one of the easiest experiences I’ve had going through passport control, even during the pandemic. Afterward, I was on my way to Paris on Eurostar.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
No further checks were performed after I arrived in Paris and let into the Gare du Nord station.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I wasn’t in Paris long but was asked for my vaccination card when having lunch at a small cafe. The waitress was unimpressed with the paper card compared to the QR code given to French vaccine recipients.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Leaving France was as easy as it was before the pandemic. I took Eurostar back to London and French border guards asked no questions as they reviewed and eventually stamped my passport.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Entering the UK, just across the English Channel from France, was considerably more difficult and expensive.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The UK, for comparison, requires a pre-departure test and post-arrival test for vaccinated Americans.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Post arrival costs are quite costly and my two tests — because I had entered the UK twice during my European trip — cost nearly $200.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Many European countries are now only requiring proof of vaccination for entry. Besides France, the countries of Germany, Denmark, and Austria, and Croatia, among others, will let travelers in with just a vaccination certificate.
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Source: US Embassy in Denmark, US Embassy in Germany, US Embassy in Croatia, and US Embassy in Austria
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