A trip to France is one of the world’s most sought-after travel experiences. Whether you need a visa will depend on your individual circumstances such as your citizenship, your reasons for travel, and how long you plan to stay, but all visitors should be up to speed with the entry and exit procedures. Here’s our guide to help you on your way.
What you need to know about visas for France
France is part of the Schengen area, a bloc of 26 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. As a result, citizens of Schengen member countries (including non-EU countries Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) and Ireland (a member of the EU but not Schengen) can enter France with just a passport or national ID card (carte d’identité in French) for an indefinite stay.
What about non-EU nationals?
To enter France, nationals of countries outside the EU and Schengen Area will need a passport valid for at least three months after their intended date of departure, along with proof of insurance, evidence of an onward travel ticket and accommodation (or sufficient funds to pay for these), and a visa if required.
Check the French government’s France-Visas website for full details of the information you’ll need to present on arrival in France. The site also has a handy Visa Wizard to help you find out if you need a visa and details of how to apply. France has a well-deserved reputation for red tape, so make sure all your documents are in order.
Many nationalities can visit France visa-free
Citizens of around 60 non-EU countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and many Latin American countries, don’t need a visa for a short stay in France.
Nationals of visa-free countries can normally stay for up 90 days within any 180-day period. Once you leave, you can’t re-enter the Schengen zone for a further 90 days (you can estimate dates on the EU’s travel day calculator). The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to beef up security at external EU borders in 2022 by electronically monitoring border crossings, making it easier to identify anyone overstaying.
Some countries have special…
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