The French returning from the foreigner no longer need a compelling reason

In order to restrict travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since 31 January 2021, travelers, including French nationals, from outside the European Union had to show proof of an urgent health, personal or family, or unavoidable work reason to be able to return to France.

When approached by the Union des Français de l'foreigner, which considered that this measure restricted the freedom to return to its country, the Conseil d'Etat considered that the requirement of a compelling reason is a disproportionate interference with the fundamental right of every Frenchman to enter his country. For him, the impact of the French returning home is minor in terms of the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.

On the other hand, the obligation to prove a compelling reason is maintained for movements from or to the French Antilles. According to the Council of State, this measure is justified by the desire to avoid tourist flows which could aggravate the health situation on the spot. While the health situation is better in these regions than in mainland France or other overseas communities, the reopening of tourist flows would accelerate the spread of variants that are now widely present in the metropolitan area.