France 'set to relax UK testing requirement'

The country’s Europe minister Clement Beaune told France 2 TV on Tuesday he would announce “in the coming days” that tests are no longer needed for vaccinated visitors from non-EU countries.

Currently, all UK visitors aged 12 and over must show a negative PCR or lateral flow test conducted within 48 hours of departure, regardless of vaccination status, and complete an online declaration before travelling to France.

The Guardian quoted Beaune as saying: “This week there will probably be a new European protocol for vaccinated people arriving from outside the EU, with eased measures.”

If it relaxes rules this week, France will join the list of destinations to have softened requirements, including Portugal, Greece and Morocco. However, Spain’s stipulation that anyone over 12 must be fully vaccinated remains a barrier to UK bookings.