Donation of blood
Verified 01 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What are the conditions for donating blood? You have to be of age and meet certain medical criteria to protect the donor and the recipient. A pre-donation interview allows to check the absence of contraindications and whether a minimum time between 2 donations has been respected. Blood donation is not remunerated. We explain the rules to know.
A whole blood donation collects 3 essential components to make blood products for patients:
- Red blood cells
- Platelets
- Plasma.
FYI
It is also possible to donate only plasma or platelets.
The whole blood donation is carried out in a lying position and under medical supervision. The amount of blood collected depends on your weight and height.
The plasma donation allows to collect 2 to 4 times more plasma than during a blood donation.
The platelet donation blood cells are used to treat certain cancers, including leukemia. Platelets help avoid the risk of life-threatening bleeding.
Health conditions to be fulfilled
To donate blood, you must:
- To be in good health
- And weigh at least 50 kg.
You may be excluded from blood donation in case of medical contraindications. Thus, vYou cannot donate blood in particular if you are in one of the following situations :
- You have had a transfusion and/or transplant, regardless of the date (except when using bone substitutes in dental implantology)
- You stayed in the United Kingdom for at least 1 year cumulated between 1980 and 1996
- You may be able to pass bacteria, viruses or parasites that cause disease through your blood
- You could transmit a viral infection sexually
- You're pregnant
- A contraindication prevents you from doing so.
FYI
You cannot be excluded from blood donation because of your sexual orientation.
Other criteria are required (for example, not having injected drugs or doping substances without a prescription).
You can test your ability to give by answering a questionnaire:
Age condition
The nature of the donation you can make varies depending on your age:
Age | Nature of the gift |
|---|---|
Under 18 | No donation, except in case of emergency and with the consent of the minor and his parents |
From 18 to 65 years old | Any type of donation is allowed. However, from the age of 50, the donation of granulocyte (family of white blood cells) is no longer authorized. |
After 60 years | The 1er donation is subject to the authorization of the doctor responsible for the sample. |
From the age of 65 | Only whole blood donation is allowed, with the permission 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 ban on blood donation applies only to persons who are subject to a legal protection measure with representation to the person.
Thus, any person in curatorship (including enhanced curatorship) can donate blood.
This is not the case for people under guardianship.
Donating blood requires a 3-step procedure.
1Before sampling
A questionnaire is given to you to prepare thepre-interview. Administrative formalities are completed (example: verification of your identity).
This interview is confidential.
During this interview, the medical profession determines whether or not your health allows you to donate blood. It therefore checks that there is no contraindication and that you can support this donation.
Donation is variable depending on whether you are donating blood, plasma or platelets.
Please note
You are advised to eat balanced food, drink water and fruit juices before. It is also advisable to avoid alcoholic beverages in the hours preceding the sampling.
2During sampling
Your blood is collected using sterile, single-use equipment.
At the time of collection, a document is given to you indicating:
- A telephone number of the establishment
- And the person to contact for any information that may interest the sampling doctor.
3After sampling
You are advised to observe a short rest, under medical supervision. A light snack is offered by the collection center. Also remember to hydrate yourself.
It is important to report any details forgotten during the pre-interview within hours and up to 15 days after the blood sample was taken.
All abnormality detected when analyzing your blood 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). |
Donation of plasma | 1 hour maximum of sampling From your arrival at the donation house to your departure, it takes about 1h30. |
Donation of platelets | 1 hour 30 of sampling 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. You enter your city or postal code:
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 |
Donation of platelets | 12 | 12 | 4 weeks |
The intervals to be respected between 2 donations not similar range from 2 weeks to 16 weeks.
Warning
During a year, a maximum of 24 levies is authorized by donor, any type of donation combined.
Special cases
The rules differ depending on the situation (note, this list is not exhaustive):
- After the end of symptoms of a viral disease (example: flu): 2 weeks
- After a piercing (earrings included) or a tattoo: 2 months
- After childbirth: 6 months
- After surgery: between 7 days and 4 months
- Severe asthma: the contraindication is permanent.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
French Blood Establishment (EFS)
Contact form
By phone
0800,109,900
Free service and calls from metropolitan France.
Donation and use of human body elements and products
Blood collection, preparation and storage
Blood Donation Volunteering
Selection of donors
French blood establishment
French blood establishment
Institut Pasteur