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
Jan 17, 2022, 5:10 am
#1171
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 760
The phrasing is confusing. At first glance I thought they were saying that your eligibility for a pass is determined by when you get a third dose, but I guess they just referring to the pass itself.
En d’autres termes, dès que vous êtes éligible à la dose de rappel, vous avez quatre mois (un mois pour la dose complémentaire Janssen) pour effectuer votre vaccin avant que votre attestation de vaccination n’expire au titre du « pass sanitaire ».
Pass sanitaire
En d’autres termes, dès que vous êtes éligible à la dose de rappel, vous avez quatre mois (un mois pour la dose complémentaire Janssen) pour effectuer votre vaccin avant que votre attestation de vaccination n’expire au titre du « pass sanitaire ».
Pass sanitaire
Jan 17, 2022, 6:29 am
#1172
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
I understand the process, what I'm asking is if one is only eligible for a pass if their third shot is within the described timeline, or is the timeline for the pass validity? In other words, if an American arrived in France with their third shot administered a year after their second, do you expect they could get a pass?
The origin of my question is this (misleading?) blog post: https://thepointsguy.com/news/france...-rules-jan-15/
The origin of my question is this (misleading?) blog post: https://thepointsguy.com/news/france...-rules-jan-15/
Jan 17, 2022, 10:25 am
#1173
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,293
For the moment the text is misleading. You're basically asked to have had your last dose in the last 7 months, so long as you had a full primo course. So if you had 12 months between 2nd and 3 shot, your 3rd shot is valid for 7 months, the rest is irrelevant. Your 2nd dose expires after 7 months too if not "boosted".
Jan 17, 2022, 11:58 am
#1174
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Silver
Posts: 306
No matter how long ago your first two shots expired, the 3rd booster shot restores your status permanently (until of course it is decided that a 4th shot is required). Of course non-EU foreigners will need to pay 36€ again to get their pass updated to the new pass vaccinal.
Jan 17, 2022, 12:05 pm
#1175
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
No matter how long ago your first two shots expired, the 3rd booster shot restores your status permanently (until of course it is decided that a 4th shot is required). Of course non-EU foreigners will need to pay 36€ again to get their pass updated to the new pass vaccinal.
Hopefully the Smart Health Card (used by some in US and Canada) can be integrated into the EUDCC soon as other counties have done.
Jan 17, 2022, 1:36 pm
#1176
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
In advance of the trip I looked up a few pharmacies that were on the official list offering conversions, but this was nonetheless quite a difficult process:
Pharmacy 1 (Ferney-Voltaire): Pharmacist told me the conversion service is of course only offered on Tuesdays, and being that it was Saturday, I would need to come back on Tuesday (how silly of me to assume it was possible any time the pharmacy was open). She said there was no way to make an exception because the employee who had the code to do this wasn't even in the pharmacy that day.
Pharmacy 2 (Ferney-Voltaire): Pharmacist was aware that CDC cards could be converted and tried to help me but claimed her system was down and there was nothing she could do. She said to come back and try again in a few hours.
Pharmacy 3 (Saint-Julien-en-Genevois): Pharmacist was really nice and tried in vain to convert the card but also had trouble with the "system". He tried a few workarounds, which also didn't work, but then called a friend at another pharmacy for their code and amazingly it finally worked. It took about 45 minutes to get the printed QR codes.
Perhaps this is an easy process in Paris, but my experience was that this is not an easy task to complete after arriving in GVA. You may need to visit several pharmacies, and have at least some knowledge of French and a LOT of patience. In hindsight I wonder if the CDC cards would have been sufficient for most restaurants.
Pharmacy 1 (Ferney-Voltaire): Pharmacist told me the conversion service is of course only offered on Tuesdays, and being that it was Saturday, I would need to come back on Tuesday (how silly of me to assume it was possible any time the pharmacy was open). She said there was no way to make an exception because the employee who had the code to do this wasn't even in the pharmacy that day.
Pharmacy 2 (Ferney-Voltaire): Pharmacist was aware that CDC cards could be converted and tried to help me but claimed her system was down and there was nothing she could do. She said to come back and try again in a few hours.
Pharmacy 3 (Saint-Julien-en-Genevois): Pharmacist was really nice and tried in vain to convert the card but also had trouble with the "system". He tried a few workarounds, which also didn't work, but then called a friend at another pharmacy for their code and amazingly it finally worked. It took about 45 minutes to get the printed QR codes.
Perhaps this is an easy process in Paris, but my experience was that this is not an easy task to complete after arriving in GVA. You may need to visit several pharmacies, and have at least some knowledge of French and a LOT of patience. In hindsight I wonder if the CDC cards would have been sufficient for most restaurants.
Jan 17, 2022, 2:25 pm
#1177
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Silver
Posts: 306
In Paris,the CDC cards are almost always accepted, but in the outlands they are not always recognized. And with the new Pass vaccinal rules, it is less likely that other forms of proof will be accepted.
Jan 18, 2022, 1:25 pm
#1178
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Could anyone please help by providing any link to an official French site that says that a new health pass can be issued to US travelers with the booster > 7 months? While this is probably their intent, we can't find anything that says so, and the current wording and interpretations by thepointsguy and weaker sources seems to say you must have the booster within 7 months to get a health pass for the first time. Going anyway and relying on a local pharmacist's interpretation isn't viable. We need to know for certain that a 3rd Pfizer shot, more than 7 months after the 2nd will be eligible for a first time pass and not denied. Can anyone provide any link that says this? Thank you.
Last edited by rjeflyer; Jan 18, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Jan 18, 2022, 2:09 pm
#1179
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
Could anyone please help by providing any link to an official French site that says that a new health pass can be issued to US travelers with the booster > 7 months? While this is probably their intent, we can't find anything that says so, and the current wording and interpretations by thepointsguy and weaker sources seems to say you must have the booster within 7 months to get a health pass for the first time. Going anyway and relying on a local pharmacist's interpretation isn't viable. We need to know for certain that a 3rd Pfizer shot, more than 7 months after the 2nd will be eligible for a first time pass and not denied. Can anyone provide any link that says this? Thank you.
Jan 18, 2022, 2:23 pm
#1180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
As for online text, I've read a lot lately and there are so many conditions and exceptions I think you'd need to be lawyer to draw conclusions. Depending on your case.
Jan 18, 2022, 2:55 pm
#1181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
another data point : my booster was 9 months after 1st shot (8 months after 2nd shot) and no problem for the pass.
Jan 19, 2022, 11:36 am
#1182
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 554
Does anyone know if the pharmacies in CDG are airside or landside, and if they offer conversion service of the CDC card to a QR code? (the CDG pharmacies do not show up on the list of pharmacies that offer QR conversions)
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
Jan 19, 2022, 11:51 am
#1183
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CMN,DXB,CDG
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 764
Does anyone know if the pharmacies in CDG are airside or landside, and if they offer conversion service of the CDC card to a QR code? (the CDG pharmacies do not show up on the list of pharmacies that offer QR conversions)
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
Jan 19, 2022, 12:29 pm
#1184
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
Does anyone know if the pharmacies in CDG are airside or landside, and if they offer conversion service of the CDC card to a QR code? (the CDG pharmacies do not show up on the list of pharmacies that offer QR conversions)
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
Jan 19, 2022, 2:52 pm
#1185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Does anyone know if the pharmacies in CDG are airside or landside, and if they offer conversion service of the CDC card to a QR code? (the CDG pharmacies do not show up on the list of pharmacies that offer QR conversions)
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.
I have never needed a pharmacy at CDG before but know they exist and cannot recall if they are airside or not.
I am flying through CDG on Sunday with a connection to NTE (that I am likely to miss as DL82 can't seem to arrive on time to save its life, so that would give me several hours to kill). All the pharmacies that offer conversions in NTE are closed on Sundays, so when arriving there I wouldn't be able to get a QR code until Modnay.