Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
France travel requirements
Hi all, I wonder if any of you with more knowledge than me would be able to offer some advice.
As it stands ( and this may very well change) I plan to drive to the Alps in a few weeks for a bit of skiing with the family.
I have read and read the guidance on the gov website and think I have what is required but just wanted to ask here for a bit of confirmation from someone that may know..
So,
My wife and I are both fully vaccinated, so as I understand it, we are required to fill in a passenger location form and form to say we do not have covid or any signs of it.
Eldest is 16, he only has one vaccination, so believe he will need to do a PCR test prior to going within 24 hrs of travelling..
Youngest is 11 so is fine if travelling with fully vaccinated parents?
I believe, eldest will need to do a PCR on return, but unsure about rest of us..?
Also, can anyone recommend where PCR tests can be purchased from, as I believe his ( / all ) will need to be paid for prior to travel?
Have looked on the website but prices range from .99p to £70 odd so assume they can’t be the same..??
Quite long winded I know, but if anyone could give an idiots guide I’d be really grateful.2005 Disco3 HSE Auto 😁
From recent experience... the 99p tests are only available to lefthanded NHS front line workers who had to go to Latvia for work purposes on a Wednesday that was an even numbered date. And had mauve hair. Not purple.
Unlikely you'll find one you qualify for for much less than max price you find online..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
30th Nov 2021 7:29 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8131
Log into gov.uk website and set up alerts for any country you travel in and you get regular email updates of latest requirements.
The tests have to come from government approved suppliers, again all listed on the gov.uk website. Listed in ascending order but you'll never get the cheapest ones. Start at top of list and work down. I got to £25 each for our recent lateral flow tests for our Euro trip..... To make it worse, they are exactly same branded kits, packaging, everything, as the free ones we get from the chemist
You may get a 'cheap' one then click on the web link and see it has twenty five quid postage or something. It's all a con......
You have to load your locator form online. We went on the chunnel so you can do it on their website and they pre-check it so just waved through at the French customs in UK.
Same as the passenger locator form for coming back to UK. It was the only document that was 'looked at' on our journey so I was glad I'd uploaded the PDF from the email onto my phone to make it quickly accessible.
The Gov.uk website has all the links for everything you need and the chunnel website is pretty good too with "what you need" lists, etc.
Oh, and I hope you don't need to really provide proof to anybody on the returned tests when back in UK as here I am 72 hours on and still not had the promised email from them confirming my test accepted and OK. It was OK'd on their app I had to load but it does look a bit micky-mouse on that I have to say..... I wanted to remove the app off my phone as really don't trust these faceless companies with cookies on the apps and what not......
30th Nov 2021 7:56 pm
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
I just got back from a week in Poland with work. Was actually a load easier than I expected. Passenger locator form and pre-booked test for return are all straightforward. My best advice is don’t overthink everything - it’s all really easy, but you can look at it all and think it’s harder than it is. Chances are the system was designed for someone not as bright as you! If you’re flying… everything takes longer because of the manual checks (Covid check and locator and most people don’t have them ready), so double check your checkin isn’t closing early if you’re used to taking it to the wire.
On France… we are doing similar in a few weeks (hopefully!).
The only thing we are doing differently from previous years is that we normally travel from Hull using the ferry and than drive down to stop over in Geneva.
This year we’re trying to visit as few countries as possible and avoiding the ferry as I imagine it’s a Covid hot spot, so we’re going on the tunnel and other than a stop off in Switzerland will avoid Holland and Belgium to minimise the chances of going to countries with different restrictions.
Fingers crossed for you - we snuck in skiing in 2020, but really missed it this year!
John2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
where it says "are you exempt from quarantining?" put "yes ... carer". won't get questioned in my experience..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
30th Nov 2021 8:34 pm
Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2329
Hope this helps
If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
30th Nov 2021 9:00 pm
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
Other random things whilst I remember...
If you are using Apple Wallet for your passes, check that they won't expired whilst you're away (just delete and re-import them from the NHS app before you go) ( in case you need them when you don't have reception).
The NHS app was actually unavailable because of server maintenance at about 3am as we were leaving the hotel to fly back... so make sure you have a printout or saved PDF of the passes or have them in Apple wallet - rather than having to log into something whilst travelling.2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
30th Nov 2021 9:37 pm
F355GTS
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: North Hampshire
Posts: 849
There's a French app for Apple/ Android called Anticovid you can upload your QR codes to, makes it easier for the French
A few weeks back we only needed to do a Lateral flow 2 day test for the return but think this has changed back to PCR from today?Mark
30th Nov 2021 10:10 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73078
Was messing around with covid vaccination status apps today and clocked the Swiss app uploads the NHS cert no problem, as long as you point it at the 2/2 vaccination code. This is the only other one I’ve found that works after TousAntiCovid app.
Might be moot for you ski bunnies as hasn’t Switzerland just closed its border to Brits due to the Omicron version?
30th Nov 2021 10:15 pm
MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
Hardware wrote:
From recent experience... the 99p tests are only available to lefthanded NHS front line workers who had to go to Latvia for work purposes on a Wednesday that was an even numbered date. And had mauve hair. Not purple.
Unlikely you'll find one you qualify for for much less than max price you find online.
Your not far out with that to be honest. I travel with work across Europe now and again and have never had to isolate, test or even been stopped to question our journey or Covid status. I know I’m in a nice green uniform and nice new ambulance but non the less, we shouldn’t be treated any different and still need to control things!2009 Discovery 3 HSE - Gone
2019 Anniversary Edition D5 - Going
2019 HSE D5 - coming!
Was messing around with covid vaccination status apps today and clocked the Swiss app uploads the NHS cert no problem, as long as you point it at the 2/2 vaccination code. This is the only other one I’ve found that works after TousAntiCovid app.
Might be moot for you ski bunnies as hasn’t Switzerland just closed its border to Brits due to the Omicron version?
What's the Swiss app called? Handy to know. I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
1st Dec 2021 9:31 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73078
Covid Cert.
Click image to enlarge
1st Dec 2021 9:35 am
OvalAutos
Member Since: 28 Dec 2018
Location: Cradley Heath
Posts: 382
Re: France travel requirements
Bubblehead wrote:
Hi all, I wonder if any of you with more knowledge than me would be able to offer some advice.
As it stands ( and this may very well change) I plan to drive to the Alps in a few weeks for a bit of skiing with the family.
I have read and read the guidance on the gov website and think I have what is required but just wanted to ask here for a bit of confirmation from someone that may know..
So,
My wife and I are both fully vaccinated, so as I understand it, we are required to fill in a passenger location form and form to say we do not have covid or any signs of it.
Eldest is 16, he only has one vaccination, so believe he will need to do a PCR test prior to going within 24 hrs of travelling..
Youngest is 11 so is fine if travelling with fully vaccinated parents?
I believe, eldest will need to do a PCR on return, but unsure about rest of us..?
Also, can anyone recommend where PCR tests can be purchased from, as I believe his ( / all ) will need to be paid for prior to travel?
Have looked on the website but prices range from .99p to £70 odd so assume they can’t be the same..??
Quite long winded I know, but if anyone could give an idiots guide I’d be really grateful.
We've got the same problem. Chalet booked in Tignes for xmas back in August and now looking a bit iffy. Me, SWMBO, Gruesome the elder (20), Princess precious pants (18) all double vac'd, but Daisy flower (18) only first vac and Betsy the bluebell (13) getting first this weekend. Son #2 (23) is an anti-vax moron and won't be coming!
The kids are flying in to Geneva while we take a nice drive with all the kit in the back of the RRS.
GOV.UK is next to useless and refers you to the French gov website. Our household is fluent in Spanish, German and Italian, but lacking in French. At the moment, if I'm reading this right, a skiing holiday is not essential and Betsy has to quarantine for 7 days on arrival!!Joe
1st Dec 2021 9:41 am
Bubblehead
Member Since: 01 Jun 2020
Location: Horndean
Posts: 214
Am I not correct in thinking that kids over 12 if travelling with fully vaccinated parents do not need to Isolate as long as they provide a negative test within 24 hrs of travelling..?
So Betsy ( and my 16yr old son) should be ok?
There is so much contradicting information: even in one of the links above it states 7 days prior to travel then a few lines down 14 days.. 2005 Disco3 HSE Auto 😁
1st Dec 2021 9:56 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14383
I upload everything into Apple Books so its all in one place and also take paper copies (its quicker)
You need your
- EUPLF or local country specific one.
- Copy of your vacinations (use the NHS App, NOT the Covid App) your proof of vaccination can also be added to your phone wallet and acts as your Green Pass. Works well.
- Your UK Return PLF (can only be done 48hours before landing) and you need your Day 2 return PCR code. When you do this set it up as account. Its easier to make changes.
It is very straight forward but a ball ache of admin.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
To make it worse, they are exactly same branded kits, packaging, everything, as the free ones we get from the chemist 
Your not far out with that to be honest. I travel with work across Europe now and again and have never had to isolate, test or even been stopped to question our journey or Covid status. I know I’m in a nice green uniform and nice new ambulance but non the less, we shouldn’t be treated any different and still need to control things!
