Oct 12, 2021, 10:18 am
Last edit by: snic
NOTE: The French government website for applying for a Pass Sanitaire is no longer functional. The information in the Wiki therefore no longer applies. Current advice is to go to a French pharmacy to get your CDC vaccination card converted to a Pass Sanitaire, and in the process be relieved of 36 Euros you didn't really need anyway.
What is a Pass Sanitaire and why would I want one?
The Pass Sanitaire is France's version of the EU Digital Covid Certificate. The Certificate is an electronic pass that shows either that the bearer has been vaccinated against Covid-19 or that the bearer has recently tested negative for Covid-19. It can be used to enter restaurants, lodgings, entertainment venues, museums, public transit, etc. Because it uses the EU standard, holders of the Pass Sanitaire can use it for these purposes all over Europe and in some non-EU countries (see the link above for details).
I'm vaccinated but not a French citizen or a citizen of a country that issues EU Digital Covid Certificates. Can I get a Pass Sanitaire showing I've been vaccinated?
Yes, if you have a travel ticket to France. See details below.
Do I really need a Pass Sanitaire? Can't I just show my American CDC vaccination record or my country's equivalent?
There are many reports of people being able to use their CDC record to enter restaurants, museums etc in France and other parts of Europe, especially in heavily touristed areas. However, there are a few reports of the CDC card being refused. As of this writing, some EU countries have requirements that those who have not been vaccinated must get tested for Covid-19 and show evidence of a recent test in order to enter restaurants etc. If a venue refuses to recognize your foreign certificate, in order to enter you would have to get a Covid test which would be valid for 2 to 3 days.
How do I get a Pass Sanitaire?
1. Go to this website and set up an account.
2. Answer the questions regarding your name, "foreign" address (that is, foreign to France - in other words, your home address outside of France), birth date, travel dates to France, and vaccination details. Upload the required documents, making sure the files are not too big (keep them under a few hundred kb). PDF files work fine. You will need images of:
-your passport
-your travel ticket showing dates of entry and exit from France
-your vaccination record
3. For the very last field ("fait a" - completed at), enter the date, time, and your location
4. Do NOT submit the application yet! See the next section, "When should I submit my application?"
When should I submit my application?
If you submit your application outside of the hours of 6 am to about noon Paris time, most likely your application will sit for weeks before it is reviewed. However, many people have had their applications approved almost instantaneously by submitting between 6 am and noon (12 am to 6 am Eastern time). If your application does not move to review within about 5 minutes after you submit it, simply start a new application and submit that one.
How do I start a new application? Do I need to use a new email address? And how do I submit an additional application for someone else, like a family member?
After you submit your application, click on "Dossiers" on the top of the page. Next to each application you've submitted, there is a link labelled "Actions". Click that and select the option to add a new application. The system will ask you to verify that you really want to do that rather than go to the existing application. Fill out the additional application as described above and submit it. You can use this process to either re-submit an existing application or submit an application for someone else, without having to set up a new account.
How do I know my application was approved?
You will receive an email. Also, in the "Dossiers" list, the status will say "Approved"
My application was approved on the second try. What do I do with the previous application that is still waiting for approval?
Just go to Dossiers, click the Action link, and choose delete (the trash can icon).
My application was approved. Now what do I do?
Your email will contain a link to a PDF file (also available for download from the "Dossiers" page). The file contains a QR code and your vaccination details. This is your Pass Sanitaire. You could just print this out and show it on demand, and/or you can make a digital version that is stored on your phone (see below). It's probably a good idea to print out a copy to take with you even if you make a digital version, in case your phone gets lost, stolen or damaged.
How do I upload the Pass Sanitaire to my phone?
To make a digital version, you have several options. Each country in Europe has its own app that allows its citizens to store a digital version of their EU Digital Covid Certificate. Some of these are only available to the country's citizens because you have to enter your medical ID number in order to add the Certificate. However, a few countries have apps that anyone can use. France's "TousAntiCovid" app is one of them - you can download it from the Apple or Google app store even in the US. It will allow you to scan the QR code on the Pass Sanitaire you downloaded, and then it will store the code and info for you to display when needed.
Alternatively, you can store your Pass Sanitaire in your Apple Wallet or a third-party wallet app. An easy way to do this is to go to https://www.getcovidpass.eu/ on your phone's web browser and follow the instructions to scan your Certificate. It will then store the pass in your Apple Wallet or, if you use Android, prompt you to download the "YourPass" app that provides the same functionality.
Using either the TousAntiCovid or wallet apps, or the paper certificate, you should be able to use your Pass Sanitaire throughout Europe, not just in France.
Does the Pass expire? Can I use it for multiple trips?
The website of the French consulate in Washington states that the pass for visitors does not expire. You should be able to use it for multiple trips. However, keep in mind that the authorities may change the vaccination requirements in the future (e.g., requiring a third vaccine injection). Your Pass will show only the vaccines you've received prior to submitting your application, so it would be rejected if your vaccines no longer meet the requirements.
I'm not visiting France. Are there other ways for non-Europeans to get a EU Digital Covid Certificate?
Yes. Some ways that have been reported to work:
1. Ask a pharmacist in Germany to convert your CDC card to a EU QR code. There are mixed reports of success with this; see the Germany forum and the top of this thread.
2. Upload your CDC card to the health department of a Swiss canton. There are reports of people getting a QR code without even even sending proof of a stay in Switzerland. See the same thread linked to just above, posts starting around October 16, 2021.
What is a Pass Sanitaire and why would I want one?
The Pass Sanitaire is France's version of the EU Digital Covid Certificate. The Certificate is an electronic pass that shows either that the bearer has been vaccinated against Covid-19 or that the bearer has recently tested negative for Covid-19. It can be used to enter restaurants, lodgings, entertainment venues, museums, public transit, etc. Because it uses the EU standard, holders of the Pass Sanitaire can use it for these purposes all over Europe and in some non-EU countries (see the link above for details).
I'm vaccinated but not a French citizen or a citizen of a country that issues EU Digital Covid Certificates. Can I get a Pass Sanitaire showing I've been vaccinated?
Yes, if you have a travel ticket to France. See details below.
Do I really need a Pass Sanitaire? Can't I just show my American CDC vaccination record or my country's equivalent?
There are many reports of people being able to use their CDC record to enter restaurants, museums etc in France and other parts of Europe, especially in heavily touristed areas. However, there are a few reports of the CDC card being refused. As of this writing, some EU countries have requirements that those who have not been vaccinated must get tested for Covid-19 and show evidence of a recent test in order to enter restaurants etc. If a venue refuses to recognize your foreign certificate, in order to enter you would have to get a Covid test which would be valid for 2 to 3 days.
How do I get a Pass Sanitaire?
1. Go to this website and set up an account.
2. Answer the questions regarding your name, "foreign" address (that is, foreign to France - in other words, your home address outside of France), birth date, travel dates to France, and vaccination details. Upload the required documents, making sure the files are not too big (keep them under a few hundred kb). PDF files work fine. You will need images of:
-your passport
-your travel ticket showing dates of entry and exit from France
-your vaccination record
3. For the very last field ("fait a" - completed at), enter the date, time, and your location
4. Do NOT submit the application yet! See the next section, "When should I submit my application?"
When should I submit my application?
If you submit your application outside of the hours of 6 am to about noon Paris time, most likely your application will sit for weeks before it is reviewed. However, many people have had their applications approved almost instantaneously by submitting between 6 am and noon (12 am to 6 am Eastern time). If your application does not move to review within about 5 minutes after you submit it, simply start a new application and submit that one.
How do I start a new application? Do I need to use a new email address? And how do I submit an additional application for someone else, like a family member?
After you submit your application, click on "Dossiers" on the top of the page. Next to each application you've submitted, there is a link labelled "Actions". Click that and select the option to add a new application. The system will ask you to verify that you really want to do that rather than go to the existing application. Fill out the additional application as described above and submit it. You can use this process to either re-submit an existing application or submit an application for someone else, without having to set up a new account.
How do I know my application was approved?
You will receive an email. Also, in the "Dossiers" list, the status will say "Approved"
My application was approved on the second try. What do I do with the previous application that is still waiting for approval?
Just go to Dossiers, click the Action link, and choose delete (the trash can icon).
My application was approved. Now what do I do?
Your email will contain a link to a PDF file (also available for download from the "Dossiers" page). The file contains a QR code and your vaccination details. This is your Pass Sanitaire. You could just print this out and show it on demand, and/or you can make a digital version that is stored on your phone (see below). It's probably a good idea to print out a copy to take with you even if you make a digital version, in case your phone gets lost, stolen or damaged.
How do I upload the Pass Sanitaire to my phone?
To make a digital version, you have several options. Each country in Europe has its own app that allows its citizens to store a digital version of their EU Digital Covid Certificate. Some of these are only available to the country's citizens because you have to enter your medical ID number in order to add the Certificate. However, a few countries have apps that anyone can use. France's "TousAntiCovid" app is one of them - you can download it from the Apple or Google app store even in the US. It will allow you to scan the QR code on the Pass Sanitaire you downloaded, and then it will store the code and info for you to display when needed.
Alternatively, you can store your Pass Sanitaire in your Apple Wallet or a third-party wallet app. An easy way to do this is to go to https://www.getcovidpass.eu/ on your phone's web browser and follow the instructions to scan your Certificate. It will then store the pass in your Apple Wallet or, if you use Android, prompt you to download the "YourPass" app that provides the same functionality.
Using either the TousAntiCovid or wallet apps, or the paper certificate, you should be able to use your Pass Sanitaire throughout Europe, not just in France.
Does the Pass expire? Can I use it for multiple trips?
The website of the French consulate in Washington states that the pass for visitors does not expire. You should be able to use it for multiple trips. However, keep in mind that the authorities may change the vaccination requirements in the future (e.g., requiring a third vaccine injection). Your Pass will show only the vaccines you've received prior to submitting your application, so it would be rejected if your vaccines no longer meet the requirements.
I'm not visiting France. Are there other ways for non-Europeans to get a EU Digital Covid Certificate?
Yes. Some ways that have been reported to work:
1. Ask a pharmacist in Germany to convert your CDC card to a EU QR code. There are mixed reports of success with this; see the Germany forum and the top of this thread.
2. Upload your CDC card to the health department of a Swiss canton. There are reports of people getting a QR code without even even sending proof of a stay in Switzerland. See the same thread linked to just above, posts starting around October 16, 2021.
Expansion of the pass sanitaire
Aug 24, 2021, 5:16 pm
#556
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: In the clouds
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 42
Some data points for other travelers: Just got back from eight days in the French Riviera, arrived from Spain (SFO-FRA-BCN-NCE) and left NCE-LHR-SFO. Fully vaccinated so I filled out my form and emailed it in three days before our trip started (second day of form availability). Besides the automatic reply, I never received a QR code.
Very few restaurants asked for a pass sanitaire, but every one that did accepted my CDC card. I'd say maybe one in five restaurants asked and it was only required to sit down (inside or outside). It wasn't required for taking food to go. Overall had a great trip, but everyone was muchstricter about mask wearing in Spain. In France, most members of the public did not wear them, even to and from their tables in restaurants. Servers generally wore them, but mostly under their nose or the fit wasn't great. I stayed two nights in two different hotels and both were fine with the CDC card.
Took an antigen test at a pharmacy 48ish hours before leaving France and was finally able to get a real pass sanitaire (and was even asked for it once!). My vaccine card or test results were not checked by anyone on the return trip. Not in NCE, LHR or SFO.
Very few restaurants asked for a pass sanitaire, but every one that did accepted my CDC card. I'd say maybe one in five restaurants asked and it was only required to sit down (inside or outside). It wasn't required for taking food to go. Overall had a great trip, but everyone was muchstricter about mask wearing in Spain. In France, most members of the public did not wear them, even to and from their tables in restaurants. Servers generally wore them, but mostly under their nose or the fit wasn't great. I stayed two nights in two different hotels and both were fine with the CDC card.
Took an antigen test at a pharmacy 48ish hours before leaving France and was finally able to get a real pass sanitaire (and was even asked for it once!). My vaccine card or test results were not checked by anyone on the return trip. Not in NCE, LHR or SFO.
Aug 25, 2021, 1:31 am
#557
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Never received an acknowledgement, but I got the code. So, unfounded speculation.
Aug 25, 2021, 8:41 am
#558
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
Yes and I'm saying that's just more baseless speculation that is leading people to resubmit applications 4-5 times and delaying things for everyone.
The form was in English. There's no reason to believe anyone is opening attachments, seeing if it's in English or French, and then deciding whether to process it or not on that basis.
That your form was the French one, at a time when the system was only open to French nationals, is irrelevant.
The form was in English. There's no reason to believe anyone is opening attachments, seeing if it's in English or French, and then deciding whether to process it or not on that basis.
That your form was the French one, at a time when the system was only open to French nationals, is irrelevant.
I want to wish you a lot of luck on any future visits to France especially if you have to deal with French bureaucracy.
Aug 25, 2021, 8:45 am
#559
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
Or speaking Spanish in Spain. Italian in Italy, etc. Even in countries where English is more prevalent, it's best to speak the local language. I used to live in Amsterdam and had a tough time with some government workers with my limited Dutch. And now with all the translation tools available on our phones, there's no excuse.
Aug 25, 2021, 8:48 am
#560
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
I just got back from Paris. Every single restaurant asked for the Passe Sanitaire. In fact, it was demanded at my hotel (although only once a day) and at some stores. Also, we needed it at the Arc de Triomphe.
Aug 25, 2021, 8:58 am
#561
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
It is irresponsible to suggest that people need to fill out a French form or add a French cover letter, putting aside whether your general offtopic musings are accurate or not.
Aug 25, 2021, 9:11 am
#562
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
I'm not sure why this nastiness is necessary. This thread is about obtaining the Pass Sanitaire and using a form provided by the French government , not about general interactions with people in foreign countries.
It is irresponsible to suggest that people need to fill out a French form or add a French cover letter, putting aside whether your general offtopic musings are accurate or not.
It is irresponsible to suggest that people need to fill out a French form or add a French cover letter, putting aside whether your general offtopic musings are accurate or not.
My only goal here is to share information that can help others. I write based on being in a French-American family and having visited the country repeatedly since I was a child. I wrote that we submitted our citizen and dependent applications in French with French cover letters. You used that as a "launchpad" to go off on me for suggesting that is the only way to go. I never said that. However, as stimpy agreed, it is always better to deal with the French government using the French language. I will not debate the point.
Bonne chance et bon voyage.
Aug 25, 2021, 10:15 am
#563
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
We're not in court now but nonetheless you seem determined to "win" a "case," which is odd considering that none has been made. You've made inferences of things I did not intend which is making this even more pointless.
My only goal here is to share information that can help others. I write based on being in a French-American family and having visited the country repeatedly since I was a child. I wrote that we submitted our citizen and dependent applications in French with French cover letters. You used that as a "launchpad" to go off on me for suggesting that is the only way to go. I never said that. However, as stimpy agreed, it is always better to deal with the French government using the French language. I will not debate the point.
Bonne chance et bon voyage.
My only goal here is to share information that can help others. I write based on being in a French-American family and having visited the country repeatedly since I was a child. I wrote that we submitted our citizen and dependent applications in French with French cover letters. You used that as a "launchpad" to go off on me for suggesting that is the only way to go. I never said that. However, as stimpy agreed, it is always better to deal with the French government using the French language. I will not debate the point.
Bonne chance et bon voyage.
Plenty of people have gotten a pass sanitaire promptly or not at all by submitting the English form provided by the government. There is no evidence that a French form speeds this up. I will not debate the point.
There is no way to tell whether the attachments to an email are the French form or an English form without opening the email and downloading the attachment. I will not debate the point.
My only goal here is to share information that can help others, including pointing out what comments have the potential to mislead people as to the requirements for obtaining a pass sanitaire. It is always better not to mislead people into believing things are requirements based on your sample size of 1. I will not debate the point. Passe une bonne journee.
Aug 25, 2021, 10:28 am
#564
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
There does seem to be a random element in the process, as I wrote above.
Last edited by richarddd; Aug 25, 2021 at 10:33 am
Aug 26, 2021, 12:57 am
#565
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: LAX/SFO
Posts: 392
Very few restaurants asked for a pass sanitaire, but every one that did accepted my CDC card. I'd say maybe one in five restaurants asked and it was only required to sit down (inside or outside). It wasn't required for taking food to go. Overall had a great trip, but everyone was muchstricter about mask wearing in Spain. In France, most members of the public did not wear them, even to and from their tables in restaurants. Servers generally wore them, but mostly under their nose or the fit wasn't great. I stayed two nights in two different hotels and both were fine with the CDC card.
Aug 26, 2021, 10:48 am
#566
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: In the clouds
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 42
Barcelona was great. Covid wise, masks were worn by 100% of people in the service industry and most people just walking down the street were wearing them. Probably the most mask wearing I've seen outside of San Francisco. Vibe wise, it was pretty busy. Many restaurants were closed or on reduced hours for various reasons (covid, August vacation, etc), so the ones that were open were pretty busy. I had a great time over all and am looking forward to going back already!
Aug 26, 2021, 1:26 pm
#567
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
There are four of us heading to Spain and France in a couple of weeks. Paris is at the tail end the trip for two nights. Only one person has received the pass so far.
My plan is to head to a pharmacy near the hotel when we arrive and get our antigen tests for the return to the US (since we will be within the 3-day window).
At that point, can the same test results be utilized for admission to everything if we haven't received our passes?
My plan is to head to a pharmacy near the hotel when we arrive and get our antigen tests for the return to the US (since we will be within the 3-day window).
At that point, can the same test results be utilized for admission to everything if we haven't received our passes?
Aug 26, 2021, 3:50 pm
#568
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott Tit
Posts: 18,231
The french government website with instructions, https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/co...-procedure-for, was updated today to say "This system is only open to non-European tourists who are already in France or who will arrive on or before 31 August 2021. Requests concerning arrival at a later date will be processed later." (previously said 26 August 2021).
Our arrival in France is 7 September (although we leave the US on 5 September). Yesterday I sent 2 application emails. I have not received any confirmation emails. I wonder if they are planning another option/method for arrivals after August.
Our arrival in France is 7 September (although we leave the US on 5 September). Yesterday I sent 2 application emails. I have not received any confirmation emails. I wonder if they are planning another option/method for arrivals after August.
Aug 26, 2021, 4:53 pm
#569
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 26
The french government website with instructions, https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/co...-procedure-for, was updated today to say "This system is only open to non-European tourists who are already in France or who will arrive on or before 31 August 2021. Requests concerning arrival at a later date will be processed later." (previously said 26 August 2021).
Our arrival in France is 7 September (although we leave the US on 5 September). Yesterday I sent 2 application emails. I have not received any confirmation emails. I wonder if they are planning another option/method for arrivals after August.
Our arrival in France is 7 September (although we leave the US on 5 September). Yesterday I sent 2 application emails. I have not received any confirmation emails. I wonder if they are planning another option/method for arrivals after August.
Aug 26, 2021, 5:42 pm
#570
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott Tit
Posts: 18,231
Which I believe indicate that my requests will be processed later. What seems strange is that if one was arriving in France tomorrow (so leaving the US today), the evolving directions indicate that they would not be processed until today at the earliest, which doesn't leave much wiggle room. And another 5-day push on the window doesn't bode well for my dates, at least to the extent I'd like to get the codes before departure. Oh well.