International students can travel to France from July 1

Last updated on 25 June 2020

Given the improved health situation in France and in Europe and in accordance with the recommendations announced yesterday by the European Commission, at midnight (0:00, Paris time) on 15 June , France will lift all restrictions on movement at its European internal borders (land, air and sea), which have been applied to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 15 June, people arriving from the European Space (European Union Member States as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican) will be able to enter French territory without COVID-19-related restrictions, as was the case before 18 March 2020.

These travellers will no longer be required to have an exempted international travel certificate to enter France. As a reminder, persons coming from the European Space are exempt from the 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in France.

In reciprocation, the restrictions will continue to apply at the borders with Spain and the United Kingdom.

• Spain has chosen to maintain its COVID-19-related travel restrictions and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for air passengers arriving from European countries until 21 June. To be consistent with Spanish authorities, France will maintain restrictions that are currently in force until 21 June. Until that date, air passengers coming from Spain will be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in France.

• On 8 June, the United Kingdom opted for a 14-day quarantine requirement for travellers arriving from France. On 15 June, travellers arriving from the United Kingdom will no longer be subject to COVID-19-related restrictions for entering national territory, but will be asked to observe a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival.

In line with the European Commission’s recommendations announced yesterday, which were inspired by French proposals, France will progressively start to open its Schengen Area external borders from 1 July. This will occur gradually and in a differentiated manner depending on the health situations in third countries, and in line with the European procedures to be issued by that time.

Given the importance of the attractiveness of French higher education, international students will be allowed to travel to France, regardless of their countries of origin, and visa procedures will be facilitated. Visa and resident permit applications will be processed as a priority.