A hand is holding a COVID-19 test strip with the text "POSITIVE AND SYMPTOMATIC?" on it. The background shows a blurred image of a running track in a stadium. In the bottom left corner, there is a Pfizer logo.

COVID-19 when travelling in France

With millions of people celebrating sport in France this summer, there may be a rise in COVID infections. Learn about your options in case you are feeling symptomatic while travelling.

Find a pharmacy to get tested
Book an appointment with a healthcare professional

Experiencing symptoms abroad may not be part of the itinerary. It's important to know what to do and be prepared to act fast

Testing & next steps

Discover what to do if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 while abroad.

Get tested or find a doctor

Risk & symptoms

Learn if you’re at high risk of serious COVID-19 and which symptoms to look out for.

Are you at risk?

Forms & Costs

Helpful information and tips to know about medical expenses while abroad.

Learn more

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Testing & next steps

If you are at high-risk of serious COVID-19 and believe you are experiencing symptoms, it is time to act fast. Access tests at a pharmacy local to you:

Find a pharmacy to get tested

How to get tested

If you are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or difficulty breathing, or if you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should carry out a test for COVID-19 straight away.1

If you have another medical condition, you may be at high-risk of severe disease. This means it’s even more important to act fast, before your symptoms become severe.

Discover the symptoms

Find out if you’re at high risk

Where to get a test?

In France, self-tests (autotests COVID), or at-home tests, can be purchased in every pharmacy, without having to go to a specific testing centre.

Look out for the distinctive green illuminated cross or use this pharmacy locator to find a pharmacy (pharmacie) near you.

Find a pharmacy to get tested

How much is a test?

Visitors without a French social security number can typically pay:2

  • €20-25 for antigen tests
  • €43.89 for RT-PCR
  • €3.35 for self-tests (adults)
  • €5.20 for self-tests (children)

What to do in case of a positive test?3

  • If you are at high risk, seek medical assistance
  • Inform your contacts
  • Take measures to prevent spread (wear a mask, distancing, hand hygiene)
  • As of February 1, 2023, isolation is no longer mandatory

What to do if you test positive

If you are high-risk and test positive for COVID-19, you should seek medical assistance immediately. Timing is everything since mild symptoms can quickly become serious. You can make an appointment with a general practitioner (médecin généraliste) in a few clicks using one of these dedicated platforms (registration required):

Doctolib©

  • Website also available in English
  • For both in-practice and video consultations
  • Possibility to select practitioner according to language spoken
  • Also available from App Store and Google Play

Maiia©

  • Website available in French only
  • For both in-practice and video consultations
  • Possibility to select practitioner according to language spoken (langues parlées)
  • Also available from App Store and Google Play
If you are unable to book an appointment or if you feel your symptoms are worsening, you can also visit the emergency room (les urgences) of the nearest hospital.
If you are given a prescription, you should then return to a pharmacy in order to collect your medications.
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A person in boxing attire is in a fighting stance inside a boxing ring. In the foreground, a hand is holding a COVID-19 test strip showing a positive result. The text "COVID-19 may become the main attraction" is displayed on the left side of the image. The Pfizer logo is positioned above the text.

Risks & symptoms

Get in the starting blocks to learn how to spot COVID-19 and whether you may be at high-risk of severe disease.

COVID-19 can affect anyone, causing symptoms ranging from mild to very severe.4,5 Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.5

Common symptoms of COVID-194

icon Fever or chills
Fever or chills
icon Cough
Cough
icon Shortness
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
icon Sore throat
Sore throat
icon nose
Congestion or runny nose
icon head
Headache
icon Muscle
Muscle or body aches
icon fatigue
Fatigue
icon
Diarrhoea
icon nose
Loss of taste or smell

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to the common cold, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meaning it can be difficult to tell them apart.4,5 If you suspect you may have COVID-19, visit the nearest pharmacy to get tested.

People who are older, unvaccinated, or with certain medical conditions are more likely to get very sick with COVID-19. This may lead to serious illness, hospitalisation, or even death.6 Here’s a list of common factors that may put you at higher risk of getting sick with COVID.6-8

This list of risk factors is not exhaustive. For more information, please visit the World Health Organization or the Center for Disease Control & Prevention websites.

Risk factors for serious COVID-196-8

icon man and woman
Age 65+
icon diabetes
Diabetes
icon overweight
Obesity
icon lung
Chronic lung disease
icon heart
Heart conditions
icon liver
Chronic liver disease
icon head
Dementia
icon head
Mental health conditions
icon head
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
icon immune system
Weakened immune system
icon cancer
Cancer
icon kidney
Chronic kidney disease
icon blood
Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
icon hiv
HIV infection
icon pregnancy woman
Pregnancy

Having any of the above may mean mild COVID symptoms can quickly become serious.6-8

A person’s risk of getting seriously ill with COVID increases if they have other medical conditions. The more you have, the greater the risk.6-8
It is therefore important to know if you’re at higher risk of serious COVID-19. If you are, you can take action fast when you have symptoms or test positive.

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[3:16 PM] Mariya Skachkova (External) A group of runners is in the starting position on a blue track at a stadium. One of the runners is wearing a green outfit. The text "Keep score of COVID-19" is displayed on the right side of the image. The Pfizer logo is positioned at the bottom left corner.

Forms & Costs

With the right forms and paperwork, you can keep score of any medical expenses and costs while travelling abroad.

Falling sick when you are travelling to another country can be a costly experience. Here is some information to know what to expect if you catch COVID-19 while travelling. What you need to do will depend on your country of origin.
You are a citizen of a European Union country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland9
If you are unwell whilst in France, you will need your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). With this card, you can benefit in France from unexpected and medically necessary care (care that cannot wait until your return to your country). You can also be reimbursed for your healthcare expenses (medical and pharmaceutical expenses, plus other related costs). If you have forgotten your card, you will have to pay your medical expenses upfront, but you will be reimbursed once you return home. Please note, this card does not guarantee free services and is not an alternative to travel insurance.
You are a citizen of the United States

If you receive treatment whilst in France, you will receive a form called "Feuille de soins" (Treatment Form). This document details the medical services you received and is essential for submitting a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. Ensure you have this form filled out by the healthcare provider in France to facilitate the reimbursement process with your insurer. Contact your insurance to learn more about your level of cover and what is included.

Please note: If you are an American national, there is an American Hospital in Paris that can treat you.

You are a citizen of the United Kingdom10,11

If you are unwell whilst in France, you will need your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (or your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if it has not expired). You can use this card to access healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK. This includes things like emergency care and visits to A&E as well as routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing conditions.

To be reimbursed, the dated and signed treatment form, accompanied by the prescription and a copy of your GHIC card or PRC, must be submitted to the health insurance fund (CPAM) of the place where you received your care. Please note, this card does not guarantee free services. It is advisable to take out private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

You are a citizen of another country11,12

If you receive treatment whilst in France, you will receive a form called "Feuille de soins" (Treatment Form). This document details the medical services you received and is essential for submitting a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. Ensure you have this form filled out by the healthcare provider in France to facilitate the reimbursement process with your insurer. Contact your insurance to learn more about your level of cover and what is included.

If you are a citizen of another country, traveller's insurance is mandatory for visitors. Learn more about travel requirements here.

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References: 1 CodeBlue. Do we still need to worry about Covid-19? – Dr Leong Chee Loon & Dr Muhammad YazliYuhana. Retrieved from: https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/05/12/do-we-still-need-to-worry-about-covid-19-dr-leong-chee-loon-dr-muhammad-yazli-yuhana/. Last accessed June 11, 2024. 2 Parisjetaime. Coronavirus : update on the situation in Paris. Retrieved from: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/info-disruption-paris-a1063. Last accessed July 2, 2024. 3 Service public. fr What to do if you have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or come into contact with a positive person? Retrieved from: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A15610?lang=en. Last accessed July 2, 2024. 4 Sante. gouv. fr Tout savoir sur le Covid-19. Retrieved from: https://sante.gouv.fr/soins-et-maladies/maladies/maladies-et-infections-respiratoires/coronavirus-11069/tout-savoir-sur-le-covid-19/. Last accessed July 2, 2024. 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of COVID-19. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms. Last accessed July 9, 2024. 6 COVARS. Retrieved from: https://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2023-04/note-d-actualit-sur-la-covid-19---covars-27353.pdf. Last accessed July 9, 2024. 7 Ameli. Retrieved from: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/covid-19/symptomes-gestes-barrieres-et-recommandations/covid-19-reconnaitre-la-maladie-et-ses-symptomes-adopter-les-bons-gestes. Last accessed July 9, 2024. 8 HCSP. Avis relatif à l’actualisation de la liste des facteurs de risque de forme grave de Covid-19 - 29 octobre 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.hcsp.fr/Explore.cgi/Telecharger?NomFichier=hcspa20201029_coacdelalidefaderidefogr.pdf. Last accessed July 17, 2024. 9 European Commission. European Health Insurance Card. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en. Last accessed June 11, 2024. 10 NHS. Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC. Retrieved from: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/. Last accessed June 11, 2024. 11 Service Public. Health insurance of a foreigner on holiday (or short stay) in France. Retrieved from: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17760?lang=en. Last accessed June 11, 2024. 12 ETIAS France. Entering France from Japan with ETIAS. Retrieved from: https://www.etiasfrance.com/requirements/japanese. Last accessed June 11, 2024.