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 18, 2021, 3:09 pm
#1067
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midair
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 91
Which canton did you apply to? I applied yesterday to Zurich and they want more information about my trip. I sent flight booking/itinerary and hotel booking. Both confirmed.
Nov 18, 2021, 4:37 pm
#1068
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
Thoughts on travelling WITHOUT the white CDC card. Just got to the airport and realized forgot it at home. Will be flying into Munich, staying 4 days, then going onto Paris for 4 days. Fully vaccinated, I have a pic of it on my phone, and I also have the Swiss covid app. In addition I have a negative test that was just taken on Monday. Debating on if it is necessary to catch a Uber home and back. Flight boards in 2 hours.
Nov 18, 2021, 6:42 pm
#1069
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
For anyone interested, I was able to get a Swiss Covid Cert online for me and my wife in less than 24 hours. The QR code works across the EU.
All you have to do is submit your ID, CDC card, and a hotel confirmation to show where you’re staying in Switzerland. It costs ~$30 for processing.
Nothing stopping folks from making a refundable/non-prepay hotel reservation…
All you have to do is submit your ID, CDC card, and a hotel confirmation to show where you’re staying in Switzerland. It costs ~$30 for processing.
Nothing stopping folks from making a refundable/non-prepay hotel reservation…
Nov 19, 2021, 4:07 am
#1070
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
For anyone interested, I was able to get a Swiss Covid Cert online for me and my wife in less than 24 hours. The QR code works across the EU.
All you have to do is submit your ID, CDC card, and a hotel confirmation to show where you’re staying in Switzerland. It costs ~$30 for processing.
Nothing stopping folks from making a refundable/non-prepay hotel reservation…
All you have to do is submit your ID, CDC card, and a hotel confirmation to show where you’re staying in Switzerland. It costs ~$30 for processing.
Nothing stopping folks from making a refundable/non-prepay hotel reservation…
Nov 19, 2021, 7:44 am
#1071
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
They DO have a phone number to call.
Nov 19, 2021, 7:52 am
#1072
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
On OCT 26 I applied for a FRENCH PASS SANITAITRE (just before they stopped accepting on-line applications). Today I received two emails from PASS SANITAIRE: 7:32 AM your application is being examined, at 7:33 AM my application was accepted (pdf withQR code) was attached.
Nov 20, 2021, 5:12 pm
#1073
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Not to say I'm not happy to have my job of course 
This Monday
Nov 23, 2021, 3:13 pm
#1075
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: AC E50K (MM) FB (Platinum)
Posts: 216
Has anybody any experience about converting a non-European COVID certificate (such as the CDC or the Canadian Proof of Vaccination) into the Belgian CST (COVID Safe Ticket) ?
And any experience regarding acceptance of one of the non-European COVID certificates in place of the CST in Belgium?
And any experience regarding acceptance of one of the non-European COVID certificates in place of the CST in Belgium?
Nov 25, 2021, 6:24 am
#1076
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
This morning the French Minister of Health announced that a third dose is now mandatory for everyone over 21. This starts as of January 15, 2022, and the deadline is five months from the last dose. Enforcement is simple: if you miss the deadline, you lose your Pass Sanitaire.
I still haven't seen anything that says that this "third dose" deadline does not apply to tourists. The other finer details here are also missing.
But here's the good news, at least, according to a French TV station: "Nous pouvons passer cette vague sans recourir aux outils les plus contraignants" qu'ont déjŕ imposés certains pays voisins de la France, a-t-il souligné, précisant qu'il n'y aurait ŕ ce stade "ni fermeture anticipée de commerces ni restrictions de déplacement", face ŕ cette recrudescence de l'épidémie." That means that "at this stage" there will be no lock-downs or travel restrictions like those in neighboring countries. So that's good, right?
I still haven't seen anything that says that this "third dose" deadline does not apply to tourists. The other finer details here are also missing.
But here's the good news, at least, according to a French TV station: "Nous pouvons passer cette vague sans recourir aux outils les plus contraignants" qu'ont déjŕ imposés certains pays voisins de la France, a-t-il souligné, précisant qu'il n'y aurait ŕ ce stade "ni fermeture anticipée de commerces ni restrictions de déplacement", face ŕ cette recrudescence de l'épidémie." That means that "at this stage" there will be no lock-downs or travel restrictions like those in neighboring countries. So that's good, right?
Nov 25, 2021, 6:26 am
#1077
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 662
The French government is expected to announce today that everyone who doesn’t have their 3rd dose (booster) will have their passe Sanitaire cancelled on January 15, 2022 or 7 months after receiving their 2 dose. (Already set to expire on Dec 15 for seniors) not sure how this will play for foreigners who may not be eligible for a third dose in their own country.
Edit FallenPlat beat me to it!, but to clarify, people 18+ are eligible for their 3rd dose after 5 months from their last dose, and the pass expires after 7 months (unless they receive the booster). Also announced is that if not vaccinated, a PCR/Antigen test performed will only be valid for 24 hrs instead of 72 hrs currently.
Edit FallenPlat beat me to it!, but to clarify, people 18+ are eligible for their 3rd dose after 5 months from their last dose, and the pass expires after 7 months (unless they receive the booster). Also announced is that if not vaccinated, a PCR/Antigen test performed will only be valid for 24 hrs instead of 72 hrs currently.
Last edited by wysiwyg; Nov 25, 2021 at 8:03 am
Nov 25, 2021, 8:47 am
#1078
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Silver
Posts: 306
One significant change for people who are not fully vaccinated and have been getting by with a test every 72 hours to keep their pass valid -- the tests will henceforth be valid for only 24 hours.
Nov 25, 2021, 2:22 pm
#1079
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
The French government is expected to announce today that everyone who doesn’t have their 3rd dose (booster) will have their passe Sanitaire cancelled on January 15, 2022 or 7 months after receiving their 2 dose. (Already set to expire on Dec 15 for seniors) not sure how this will play for foreigners who may not be eligible for a third dose in their own country.
Edit FallenPlat beat me to it!, but to clarify, people 18+ are eligible for their 3rd dose after 5 months from their last dose, and the pass expires after 7 months (unless they receive the booster). Also announced is that if not vaccinated, a PCR/Antigen test performed will only be valid for 24 hrs instead of 72 hrs currently.
Edit FallenPlat beat me to it!, but to clarify, people 18+ are eligible for their 3rd dose after 5 months from their last dose, and the pass expires after 7 months (unless they receive the booster). Also announced is that if not vaccinated, a PCR/Antigen test performed will only be valid for 24 hrs instead of 72 hrs currently.
Of course member nations can impose more strict or loose measures.
I believe the Netherlands is talking about removing the exemption of the negative test altogether, which is causing some of the rioting, especially by the youngest age groups, late teens to mid twenties young people. They are among the most vaccine-resistant.
Another exemption they should remove from the EU digital pass, the exemption for "recovered" people. They put that in last spring because EU vaccination rollout was slow so a lot of people didn't have a chance to get vaccinated and they didn't want to discriminate vs. people who didn't have a chance to get vaccinated before summer travel.
That excuse no longer exists so they should just give passes to people who've gotten vaccinated, including getting vaccinated after recovering from infection.
Nov 26, 2021, 5:55 am
#1080
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 845
EU Commission is already talking about limiting the validity of vaccination for the digital pass to 9 months.
Of course member nations can impose more strict or loose measures.
I believe the Netherlands is talking about removing the exemption of the negative test altogether, which is causing some of the rioting, especially by the youngest age groups, late teens to mid twenties young people. They are among the most vaccine-resistant.
Another exemption they should remove from the EU digital pass, the exemption for "recovered" people. They put that in last spring because EU vaccination rollout was slow so a lot of people didn't have a chance to get vaccinated and they didn't want to discriminate vs. people who didn't have a chance to get vaccinated before summer travel.
That excuse no longer exists so they should just give passes to people who've gotten vaccinated, including getting vaccinated after recovering from infection.
Of course member nations can impose more strict or loose measures.
I believe the Netherlands is talking about removing the exemption of the negative test altogether, which is causing some of the rioting, especially by the youngest age groups, late teens to mid twenties young people. They are among the most vaccine-resistant.
Another exemption they should remove from the EU digital pass, the exemption for "recovered" people. They put that in last spring because EU vaccination rollout was slow so a lot of people didn't have a chance to get vaccinated and they didn't want to discriminate vs. people who didn't have a chance to get vaccinated before summer travel.
That excuse no longer exists so they should just give passes to people who've gotten vaccinated, including getting vaccinated after recovering from infection.
Last edited by theplayer; Nov 26, 2021 at 6:12 am