The France Rugby World Cup will take place from 8 September to 28 October and it is a fantastic opportunity to see all our British nations competing. Such a large sporting event is a great time for celebration and the host cities are doing a lot to enable fans to explore and discover France, its culture and its gastronomie.  

You may well be expecting fellow fans to join you from the UK and it’s important that they remember these three things: 

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1.    Passports must be: 

·        issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’) 

·        valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) 

Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. 

2.   A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to state-provided treatment as long as the treatment cannot wait until you return home. Any care provided is on the same terms as for French nationals, so if they would pay for some costs, so would you. If your EHIC has expired that’s not a problem. You can apply for a free GHIC before leaving the UK. Please find information on how to do so here.  

3.      You must also take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. An EHIC or GHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.  

If you are travelling to the matches, make sure to allow plenty of time to get there, to know what you can bring with you plan to arrive early at the stadium. You should always follow guidance from the local authorities. 

Check the UK Government’s France Travel Advice, which includes specific information for people travelling to the Rugby World Cup, entry requirements, local laws you should be aware of and how to get help in an emergency. The best way to stay up to date, especially if the situation changes, is by signing up for email alerts here.  

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