Travel Documents

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

You can, at present, travel to countries in the Schengen area, which France is part of, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. More information https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/short-stay-visa

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through France as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.

ETIAS is expected to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026 but please check for latest information ETIAS latest news

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS visa waiver) for Europe will allow visitors to travel between all the Schengen countries, including France. Applicants will be able to obtain an ETIAS for France by completing an online application form https://www.etias.info/application/

You will need a payment card to cover the EUR 20 fee. You can use a variety of online payment options to pay the fee.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

If you are travelling with a child who is not your child it is recommended that along with the child’s passport you also have a signed letter from the child’s parent/ guardian giving you permission (ideally in English and French) along with a copy of the parent/ guardians passport/ id document.

TRAVELLING WITH PETS

If you wish to travel with a pet dog, cat or ferret to the EU, please read the Gov.uk guidance. You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to France. If your pet passport was issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland it remains valid for travel to France.