France Lifts Entry Ban for EU & Schengen Citizens – Restrictions Remain in Place for UK and Spain
France has today lifted entry restrictions on for non-essential travel to France for citizens of the European Union and the Schengen Area countries, excluding only Spain and the former EU nation, the United Kingdom.
The decision has been announced in advance by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Christophe Castaner in a statement that noted the decision comes due to the overall favourable health situation in Europe.
“Given the favourable development of the health situation in France and in Europe and in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission presented yesterday, France will lift all traffic restrictions at its internal European borders on June 15 in the morning, (land, air and sea, implemented to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement of the Minister’s announced.
It also pointed out that starting from June 5, citizens of European Union Member States, including the micro-states, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican, and the Schengen non-EU members – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will be eligible to enter the territory of France without any restrictions as it has been up to now.
The requirement to carry a derogatory international travel certificate to enter the territory French has also been abolished, as well as the 14-days quarantine, which has been mandatory so far.
Yet, the government has decided to keep in place entry restrictions for Spain and the United Kingdom due to reciprocity measures.
“Spain has chosen to maintain until June 21 its traffic restrictions related to COVID-19 as well as the requirement of fourteen for air passengers from European countries. In agreement with the Spanish authorities, France will, therefore, maintain the restrictions currently in force until June 21. Until this date, air passengers from Spain will be invited to carry out a fortnight upon their arrival in France,” the statement explains.
It further notes that as the United Kingdom has in place a 14-days mandatory quarantine requirement for travels from France, as of June 15, travellers from the United Kingdom can enter France, but quarantine in France will remain effective for them.
Moreover, France will comply with the EU Commission’s recommendation to gradually and partially lift travel restrictions for third-country nationals, in accordance with the procedures which will have been adopted at European level by then.
At the same time, it will permit international students, whatever their country of origin, to come to France and the arrangements for their reception will be facilitated. Their visa and residence permit requests will be given priority.
