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
Nov 5, 2021, 4:35 am
#1022
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 719
Just arrived in Paris. Found a pharmacy across from Hotel du Louvre. Provided passport and CDC cards. Paid 36€ and received my pass within minutes. Very easy.
Nov 5, 2021, 6:35 am
#1023
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
the question is though...are just the CDC cards accepted most everywhere? If so, no need to waste a second converting.
Nov 5, 2021, 7:21 am
#1024
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,038
36 euros for something that was free? I have three pending applications for 7 weeks now. I'm just going to wing it with my CDC card.
Nov 5, 2021, 11:38 am
#1025
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Here's an update based on today's news in France. But before that, it should now be obvious to all that the website's end is permanent, not temporary. People don't charge 30 Euros for something that's given away for free. Not in this life, at least. Anyway, on to the factual update.
The legislature has definitively prolonged the life of the Pass through July 31, 2022, subject to the Executive's discretion to shorten this period. There is a final procedural step, constitutional review, but that should be is just a formality. More concretely, I gather that they're supposed to go forward in increments, with measurable criteria, but NO NUMBERS are specified for these criteria. So, as a practical matter, that's completely open-ended, which is what the Executive wanted.
That should be news to no one. The interesting part is the behind-the-scenes (and not-so-behind-the-scenes) discussion of what's euphemistically called the "dose de rappelle," or third dose. Translated into English, this means that your Pass could be invalidated without it since that's the only "stick" available to make people get it. The public sources I've seen generally say that nothing is pending anytime soon on this front, that the government is (supposedly) waiting for an official recommendation from the Health Authorities, and that this requirement is only in a preliminary (if active) informal discussion stage. All that is a complicated way of saying, "No news so far but stay tuned."
Dose three, by the way, is available mostly just to the over-65 crowd. Gee, how do we slice that onion, ask some. And so on for another page or two, which I'll spare you here. Hope this helps.
The legislature has definitively prolonged the life of the Pass through July 31, 2022, subject to the Executive's discretion to shorten this period. There is a final procedural step, constitutional review, but that should be is just a formality. More concretely, I gather that they're supposed to go forward in increments, with measurable criteria, but NO NUMBERS are specified for these criteria. So, as a practical matter, that's completely open-ended, which is what the Executive wanted.
That should be news to no one. The interesting part is the behind-the-scenes (and not-so-behind-the-scenes) discussion of what's euphemistically called the "dose de rappelle," or third dose. Translated into English, this means that your Pass could be invalidated without it since that's the only "stick" available to make people get it. The public sources I've seen generally say that nothing is pending anytime soon on this front, that the government is (supposedly) waiting for an official recommendation from the Health Authorities, and that this requirement is only in a preliminary (if active) informal discussion stage. All that is a complicated way of saying, "No news so far but stay tuned."
Dose three, by the way, is available mostly just to the over-65 crowd. Gee, how do we slice that onion, ask some. And so on for another page or two, which I'll spare you here. Hope this helps.
Nov 5, 2021, 3:08 pm
#1026
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 719
I had my third vaccine card with me today. She looked at it and said it was too late to put it in. I wasn’t sure what that meant and didn’t ask. I didn’t put it on my original application because it hadn’t been two weeks when I submitted the application.
It’s just nice to not have to worry about it.
Nov 5, 2021, 4:33 pm
#1027
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
Has any American here taken an intercity train in France? Officially it does require a sanitary pass but I wonder if they would accept a US CDC card?
If not.... is there a list of pharmacies in Paris that people have found convert cards recently?
If not.... is there a list of pharmacies in Paris that people have found convert cards recently?
Nov 5, 2021, 4:49 pm
#1028
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,044
Check out the link in post 1020 and go to the French website. It lists pharmacies that will do it.
Nov 5, 2021, 6:03 pm
#1029
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
Nov 5, 2021, 6:13 pm
#1030
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
Here's an update based on today's news in France. But before that, it should now be obvious to all that the website's end is permanent, not temporary. People don't charge 30 Euros for something that's given away for free. Not in this life, at least. Anyway, on to the factual update.
The legislature has definitively prolonged the life of the Pass through July 31, 2022, subject to the Executive's discretion to shorten this period. There is a final procedural step, constitutional review, but that should be is just a formality. More concretely, I gather that they're supposed to go forward in increments, with measurable criteria, but NO NUMBERS are specified for these criteria. So, as a practical matter, that's completely open-ended, which is what the Executive wanted.
That should be news to no one. The interesting part is the behind-the-scenes (and not-so-behind-the-scenes) discussion of what's euphemistically called the "dose de rappelle," or third dose. Translated into English, this means that your Pass could be invalidated without it since that's the only "stick" available to make people get it. [emphasis added] The public sources I've seen generally say that nothing is pending anytime soon on this front, that the government is (supposedly) waiting for an official recommendation from the Health Authorities, and that this requirement is only in a preliminary (if active) informal discussion stage. All that is a complicated way of saying, "No news so far but stay tuned."
Dose three, by the way, is available mostly just to the over-65 crowd. Gee, how do we slice that onion, ask some. And so on for another page or two, which I'll spare you here. Hope this helps.
The legislature has definitively prolonged the life of the Pass through July 31, 2022, subject to the Executive's discretion to shorten this period. There is a final procedural step, constitutional review, but that should be is just a formality. More concretely, I gather that they're supposed to go forward in increments, with measurable criteria, but NO NUMBERS are specified for these criteria. So, as a practical matter, that's completely open-ended, which is what the Executive wanted.
That should be news to no one. The interesting part is the behind-the-scenes (and not-so-behind-the-scenes) discussion of what's euphemistically called the "dose de rappelle," or third dose. Translated into English, this means that your Pass could be invalidated without it since that's the only "stick" available to make people get it. [emphasis added] The public sources I've seen generally say that nothing is pending anytime soon on this front, that the government is (supposedly) waiting for an official recommendation from the Health Authorities, and that this requirement is only in a preliminary (if active) informal discussion stage. All that is a complicated way of saying, "No news so far but stay tuned."
Dose three, by the way, is available mostly just to the over-65 crowd. Gee, how do we slice that onion, ask some. And so on for another page or two, which I'll spare you here. Hope this helps.
May I trouble you for a link to the article you quoted?
Nov 6, 2021, 4:50 am
#1033
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Your Pass Sanitaire and mine are good unless and until the Executive says they expire, for example through the mere passage of time or (perhaps eventually) through the failure to get a "dose de rappelle" by some yet-to-be-set deadline. It will be big news when and if that latter event occurs and, trust me, we'll all hear about it.
The key to updated news on this point is knowing what to google: "dose de rappelle" and "pass sanitaire." All the articles that I've found say pretty much the same thing -- nothing -- but here's a link to a recent one: https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/dose...111040505.html . As you can see, the Executive is in a wait-and-see mode for now. The linked article is actually sort of funny. Don't call it a "troisieme dose"!
I wouldn't think either event -- natural expiration or a third dose deadline -- would occur until next summer at the earliest, but that's just my personal, unsupported surmise. And we've all been surprised before.
The key to updated news on this point is knowing what to google: "dose de rappelle" and "pass sanitaire." All the articles that I've found say pretty much the same thing -- nothing -- but here's a link to a recent one: https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/dose...111040505.html . As you can see, the Executive is in a wait-and-see mode for now. The linked article is actually sort of funny. Don't call it a "troisieme dose"!
I wouldn't think either event -- natural expiration or a third dose deadline -- would occur until next summer at the earliest, but that's just my personal, unsupported surmise. And we've all been surprised before.
Nov 6, 2021, 5:33 am
#1034
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,939
Your Pass Sanitaire and mine are good unless and until the Executive says they expire, for example through the mere passage of time or (perhaps eventually) through the failure to get a "dose de rappelle" by some yet-to-be-set deadline. It will be big news when and if that latter event occurs and, trust me, we'll all hear about it.
The key to updated news on this point is knowing what to google: "dose de rappelle" and "pass sanitaire." All the articles that I've found say pretty much the same thing -- nothing -- but here's a link to a recent one: https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/dose...111040505.html . As you can see, the Executive is in a wait-and-see mode for now. The linked article is actually sort of funny. Don't call it a "troisieme dose"!
I wouldn't think either event -- natural expiration or a third dose deadline -- would occur until next summer at the earliest, but that's just my personal, unsupported surmise. And we've all been surprised before.
The key to updated news on this point is knowing what to google: "dose de rappelle" and "pass sanitaire." All the articles that I've found say pretty much the same thing -- nothing -- but here's a link to a recent one: https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/dose...111040505.html . As you can see, the Executive is in a wait-and-see mode for now. The linked article is actually sort of funny. Don't call it a "troisieme dose"!
I wouldn't think either event -- natural expiration or a third dose deadline -- would occur until next summer at the earliest, but that's just my personal, unsupported surmise. And we've all been surprised before.
