Blood donation
Verified 28 December 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What are the conditions for donating blood? You must be of age and meet certain medical criteria to protect the donor and the recipient. A pre-donation interview is used to verify that there is no contraindication and that a minimum delay between 2 donations has been respected. Donating blood is a voluntary act that is not paid. In principle, a minor or a person aged 71 and over cannot make this donation except, for example, in an emergency. We'll lay out the regulations for you.
A whole blood donation collects three essential components to make blood products for patients: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. It is also possible to donate only plasma or platelets.
The whole blood donation is used for blood transfusions and medical research.
It is done while lying down and under medical supervision.
The amount of blood withdrawn depends on your weight and height.
Please note
The plasma donation allows to collect 2 to 4 times more plasma than during a blood donation. It allows transfusion or the manufacture of drugs.
The platelet donation blood cells are used in particular to treat certain cancers, including leukemia. Platelets help prevent life-threatening bleeding.
Health conditions to be fulfilled
To donate blood, you must be healthy and weigh at least 50 kg.
You may be excluded from donating blood for medical contraindications, but you cannot be excluded because of your sexual orientation.
VYou can't donate blood in particular if you are in any of the following :
- You have had a transfusion and/or transplant, regardless of the date
- You have been in the UK for at least 1 year cumulatively between 1980 and 1996
- You could be passing on a bacterium, virus or parasite that causes disease through your blood
- You may pass on a viral infection through sexual contact
- You're pregnant.
Other criteria are required (e.g. not having had an intravenous injection of narcotics), you can test your ability to give by meeting a questionnaire.
Age condition
The type of donation you can make varies according to your age:
Age | Nature of donation |
|---|---|
Under 18 | No donation except in case of emergency and with the consent of the minor and his parents |
From 18 to 65 years of age | Any type of donation is allowed. However, from age 50, granulocyte donation (a type of white blood cell) is no longer allowed. |
After 60 years | The 1er donation shall be subject to authorization by the doctor responsible for taking the sample |
From 65 years of age | Only the donation of whole blood is authorized, with the authorization of the doctor |
71 years and older | No donation is allowed, except in exceptional cases (rare blood) |
Condition specific to the adult under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship...)
The prohibition on blood donation applies only to persons who are subject to a legal protection measure with representation in the person.
Thus, any person in trusteeship (including in fortified curatorship) can donate blood.
This is not the case for people in guardianship.
Donating blood requires a 3-step procedure.
Before sampling
A questionnaire is given to you to prepare thepre-maintenance. Administrative formalities are completed (e.g. verification of your identity).
During the pre-donation interview, the medical profession determines whether or not your state of health allows you to donate blood. So he checks that there is no contraindication and that you can support this donation. The donation lasts for a variable length of time depending on whether you are donating blood, plasma or platelets.
This interview is confidential.
Please note
You are advised to have eaten a balanced diet, drink water and fruit juices before and avoid alcoholic beverages in the hours before sampling.
During sampling
Your blood is collected using sterile, single-use equipment.
At the time of collection, a document is given to you with a telephone number of the establishment and the person to be contacted for any information that may be of interest to the collection doctor.
After sampling
You are advised to take a short rest, under medical supervision. A light snack is offered by the collection center. Remember to hydrate as well.
It is important to report any missed details during the pre-interview within hours and up to 15 days after blood collection.
Allabnormality detected during your blood test will be reported.
Type of donation | Duration |
|---|---|
Whole blood donation | 8 to 10 minutes of sampling Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour (medical interview, rest and snack) |
Plasma donation | Maximum 1 hour of sampling From your arrival at the donation house to your departure, it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes |
Platelet donation | 1 hour 30 minutes From your arrival at the donation house to your departure, it takes 2 hours. |
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) provides information on where and when to donate blood, plasma or platelets:
Who shall I contact
Minimum interval between 2 donations
The minimum interval between 2 donations similar varies from 2 to 8 weeks.
Type of donation | Maximum number of donations in the year | Minimum interval between 2 donations similar | |
|---|---|---|---|
Male | Woman | ||
Whole blood donation | 6 | 4 | 8 weeks |
Plasma donation by apheresis | 24 | 24 | 2 weeks |
Platelet donation | 12 | 12 | 4 weeks |
The intervals to be respected between 2 donations not similar vary between 2 weeks and 16 weeks.
Warning
During a year, a maximum of 24 samples is authorized by donor, all types of donation combined.
Special cases
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After the end of symptoms of a viral illness (e.g. influenza)
2 weeks
After a piercing or tattoo
4 months
After delivery
6 months
After surgery
Between 7 days and 4 months
After returning from a malaria-risk area
For less than 4 months
Donation is contraindicated 4 months after your return from an at-risk area.
Please note
At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.
Between 4 months and 3 years
Donation is permitted if the serologic test is negative with each donation if you were born or have lived in risk area in its first 5 years.
Donation is allowed in the absence of symptoms if the serologic test is negative:
- Each donation during this 3-year period after the return if you have stayed or traveled for more than 6 consecutive months in the risk area
- At 1er first donation if you have stayed or traveled less than 6 months in a risk area.
Please note
At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.
For more than 3 years
Donation is permitted if the serologic test is negative to 1er gift if you:
- Were born or have lived in risk area in its first 5 years,
- Traveled or stayed for a period of time less than 6 months consecutive in risk areas.
Please note
At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
French Blood Establishment (EFS)
Contact Form
By telephone
0800 109 900
Free service and call from metropolitan France.
Donation and use of human body components and products
Blood collection, preparation and storage
Volunteering for Blood Donation
Selection of donors
French Blood Establishment
French Blood Establishment
Institut Pasteur