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
Sep 3, 2021, 12:33 pm
#631
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
The entire point of the system is touchy-feely theatre to try to convince people that the
Sep 3, 2021, 12:42 pm
#632
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
Otherwise, your post speaks for itself. A bientot.
Sep 3, 2021, 12:59 pm
#634
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
I believe they sent it to everyone in the system, as I had received my pass a few weeks ago.
Alas was predictable that the system would be overwhelmed given the attitude of folks who would submit 5 or more times and think their desire to avoid covid testing is a national emergency.
Alas was predictable that the system would be overwhelmed given the attitude of folks who would submit 5 or more times and think their desire to avoid covid testing is a national emergency.
Sep 4, 2021, 2:45 am
#637
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Datapoint: we’ve been in Paris and Disneyland for the past few days. Our Antigen test taken in Italy on the day of our departure to France was good for 72 hours and even though we never got a Pass Sanitare, every single place, including Disneyland, restaurants, malls, etc accepted the test result in Italian/English. After reading this thread and the lack of data points I was very worried that we needed the QR code, but not so. I thought I’d share this since this entire thread wasn’t very helpful for me prior to our arrival in France.
Sep 4, 2021, 3:42 am
#638
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
Datapoint: we’ve been in Paris and Disneyland for the past few days. Our Antigen test taken in Italy on the day of our departure to France was good for 72 hours and even though we never got a Pass Sanitare, every single place, including Disneyland, restaurants, malls, etc accepted the test result in Italian/English. After reading this thread and the lack of data points I was very worried that we needed the QR code, but not so. I thought I’d share this since this entire thread wasn’t very helpful for me prior to our arrival in France.
from the French government website FAQ, which perhaps is more helpful than this thread:
"Passes can be digital (on the TousAntiCovid app) or in paper form (proof of vaccination or test result)."
As folks have consistently said, CDC vaccination cards without QR codes are being accepted most places.
Last edited by Adam1222; Sep 4, 2021 at 4:01 am
Sep 4, 2021, 6:18 am
#639
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Well I'm about to drive to Chamonix in a couple of days and my emailed application finally got a response a couple of days ago, saying they can't process them all and "we inform you" that there is a new procedure and pointed to the website.
So I went ahead and applied there.
In any event, my Chamonix hotel had told me that I needed a pass sanitaire and I told them last month that I had a US CDC card and they said that was good.
So we shall see in a couple of days when I arrive there.
So I went ahead and applied there.
In any event, my Chamonix hotel had told me that I needed a pass sanitaire and I told them last month that I had a US CDC card and they said that was good.
So we shall see in a couple of days when I arrive there.
Sep 4, 2021, 3:52 pm
#642
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,997
My relative has been using her CDC card all week on vacances with me in the south (I have a QR, being from the EU). Zéro issues, 98% of the time they don't even look at it when i explain she's vaccinated ŕ l'étranger with 2 doses of Moderna.
Sep 4, 2021, 10:39 pm
#643
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 67
The new website requires uploading a picture of a travel ticket. If planning to fly first to another EU country, and later travel to France by car or train, would they want the plane ticket into the EU, or would a train ticket to France suffice?
Sep 4, 2021, 10:59 pm
#644
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
But I added a note on the website form indicating that I will be arriving and leaving France by car, on which dates, locations.
Sep 5, 2021, 9:45 am
#645
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM1K,AA EXP
Posts: 1,190
pass sanitaire
I applied for the pass sanitaire(in French) around Aug 28. On Sept 1, already landed in France, I got an email saying the French dept in charge of this was overwhelmed and to go to the new website. I filled out the forms again & attached a passport photo , CDC QR photo, Covid card photo, flight details photo. I received an automated reponse email immediately. Shortly thereafter I received an email w/a dossier #, and instructions on how to add/change the file. Nothing since then. So far, only BHV, the Paris department store, has asked for a pass and they accepted the CDC printed QR code. Just to be on the safe side, I packed a two rapid test kit from Walgreen's in my carry-on, since a 72 hr test will be required for re-entry at JFK on my return. I'm due to attend MOM on the 9th at the Hall des Expositions, where a QR is required, but antigen tests are also available. Given a lot of experience in the past w/the French bureaucracy, I'm just waiting to see what happens next.