Mediterranean yacht charter: new COVID regulations for French waters

By Katie Scott 3 February 2021

If you are looking to charter a yacht in the Mediterranean this year new rules, coming into effect from January 23 2021, will require all yacht guests visiting the French Riviera to provide a negative COVID result, taken less than 72 hours before arrival.

The latest decree announced by the French authorities, labeled decree no2021-57, provides updates to previous decrees put in place on October 16 and 29 2020, which also applied specified travel guidelines for charters in the French Riviera.

Applicable to all visitors not of French origin, crew included, over the age of 11, virological screening tests are specifically stated to be taken less than 72 hours before arriving at the destined French port. Failure to do so may result in the refusal of access into French waters.

Old town of Menton, French Riviera. Clock tower rising over rooves with sea in background.

Other mandatory regulations including a Maritime Declaration of Health Health Certificate still apply if concerned, but all foreign-flagged yachts must now provide the extra COVID compliant documents.

Although there are new measures in place, authorities are keen to assure visiting yacht charters that controls being enforced by Port Police should not affect the 24-hour calls for reservations in the French ports.

If you are planning on visiting destinations like Cannes and are unsure about the regulations, please read more on our guide to coronavirus and charters, or contact your preferred yacht charter broker for more advice.