French Health Pass Rules

Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued in England and Wales that contain QR codes are now compatible with France’s health pass scanning technology.

Everyone aged 18 and over in France must now present a health pass (pass sanitaire) to enter public spaces including:

• Cafes, restaurants, and bars, including those inside shopping centres & terraces

• Health establishments, except in case of emergency (see below)

• Some shopping centres larger than 20,000m2 if mandated by local prefects

• Long-distance transport within France, such as long-distance trains (such as on TGVs Inoui and Ouigo) and on domestic flights. Air France has created a "Ready to Fly" checking service that passengers can use ahead of their flight, which includes the health pass.

• Culture and leisure spaces such as museums and cinemas, regardless of their capacity

• Communal spaces in hotels such as the restaurant, bar, swimming pool, or spa

• Events being held at religious centres, such as concerts or conferences

• Events such as weddings being held in public spaces

Children aged 12 - 17 will have to also use the health pass from September 30.

It is part of a new French law requiring people to prove their Covid-19 status to enter certain public spaces.

Where do I need to show the health pass in France?

• Cinemas

• Museums

• Theatres

• Libraries

• Theme parks

• Indoor sports facilities and public pools

• Places of worship

• Conference halls

• Auditoriums

• Stadiums

• Arcades

• Casinos

• Zoos

• Fairgrounds

• Nightclubs

• Shopping centres (depending on decision of local authorities)

• Restaurants (including terraces), cafes, and bars

• Long-distance transport services (TGV and intercité trains, planes and regional coach travel)

• Hospitals (except in emergency situations), care homes, and medical and social institutions

You must also have a pass to enter campsites and holiday parks with swimming pools or entertainment venues.

A pass has been required since July 21 in all sites with capacity for at least 50 people, including museums, cinemas, theatres, sports halls, and zoos.

This 50-people threshold will no longer apply from August 9, and the health pass will be required for all such sites regardless of capacity.

Who will check it and how?

Staff working at the cafes, restaurants and bars should check your health pass. It will be checked using an app specially designed for the purpose: TousAntiCovid Vérif.

You must present your QR code on paper or in your app. The checking app will appear green if your pass is valid, and red if it is not.

In restaurants, this will likely be done before you are shown to your seat.

In cafes and bars, this will be more complicated, but waiters will most likely ask you to show the pass before they take your order.

The staff will not ask you for your ID. This is the job of the police - identity checks by police though will not take place within establishments, but outside.

In addition, if managers of establishments suspect anything untoward, they can phone the police to ask them to check a person’s health pass.