Fully vaccinated Brits will be allowed to enter France from next week as the country lifts its ban on the majority of incoming travellers.
The French border will be reopened on June 9, allowing EU passport holders based in the UK in without any proof of testing at all, opening up the possibility of unrestricted holidays.
A new document released in Paris on Friday called ‘Strategy for Reopening Borders’ outlines plans for what is effectively a travel passport.
Documents issued by organisations including Britain’s NHS which prove a double vaccination against Coronavirus will be sufficient to get into France.
Up until today, anybody entering France from the UK has required a ‘compelling reason’ for being in the country.
The acceptance by French border officials of an antigen test, as opposed to the far expensive PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is also highly significant.
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It will mean that travellers can avoid paying £100 plus to a private firm for a PCR test, and instead opt for an antigen test, which is often free.
The relaxation in requirements comes as Britain itself clamps down on travel abroad, including advising people to avoid holidaying in countries such as France and Portugal.
“Europeans vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to enter France without a PCR test from June 9, which proof of a negative test – PCR or antigen – will still be required for travellers from the United Kingdom and the United States,” said a French government source.
“Those who have had a full vaccination for at least fourteen days on the date of travel (and four weeks for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) are considered to be vaccinated.”
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The source added: “For countries classified in orange, such as the United States or Great Britain, a PCR or antigen test is required if the traveller is vaccinated, otherwise he must have a compelling reason for being in France, a negative test and go into isolation for seven days.”
Despite France effectively giving the green light for holidays, Britons travelling to France will still have to isolate for up to 10 days when they get back to the UK.
They will also have to pay for at least two tests which government recommended providers are currently charging up to £390 for.
France’s coronavirus rate sits at 82.7, with 39 per cent of people having had a first jab.
