Country guides · 2026 formalities

What you need before you leave.

Visa, electronic authorisation, passport, driving and health: 60 guides designed to explain the essentials without mixing up special cases.

Covered case: French passport · tourism · short stay
60 guides availableThese guides help you prepare your checks; they do not replace a consular decision or medical advice.
Online authorisation
Americas

United States

An ESTA is required before departure under the Visa Waiver Program, for tourist stays up to 90 days.

Travel to Cuba since 12 January 2021 generally makes you ineligible for ESTA; a US visa is then required.
Online authorisation
Americas

Canada

An eTA is required when arriving by air; it is not required when arriving by land or sea.

French-Canadian dual nationals must travel with a valid Canadian passport.
Online authorisation
Europe

United Kingdom

An ETA is required before departure for most French visitors, even when no tourist visa is needed.

An ETA may also be needed in transit if you pass through UK border control.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

Japan

No visa is required in advance for a tourist stay of up to 90 days.

Visit Japan Web is not a visa, but it can be used to prepare immigration and customs formalities online.
Online authorisation
Asia

Thailand

No tourist visa for stays up to 60 days, but the TDAC digital arrival card is required within 3 days before arrival.

Check the entry stamp and permitted stay date as soon as you cross the border.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

Vietnam

Visa-free for up to 45 days; an official e-visa is required beyond that limit.

Entry and exit days both count, and overstays are handled strictly.
Visa required
Asia

Indonesia

Paid visa on arrival or e-VOA for 30 days, plus the All Indonesia digital form before arrival.

A damaged passport may lead to immediate refusal; Bali also applies a separate tourist levy.
Visa required
Asia

India

A visa is required before travel; the official e-visa covers many tourist stays.

Since October 2025, an e-Arrival Card must also be completed before arrival.
Online authorisation
Asia

Sri Lanka

An ETA is required before arrival, including when it is free for French nationals.

A French or international driving permit alone is not sufficient; a local endorsement is required to drive.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

China

Temporary visa exemption until 31 December 2026 for eligible purposes including tourism, for up to 30 days.

This exemption is time-limited: check whether it has been extended if you travel in 2027.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

South Korea

No visa for stays under 90 days; temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 December 2026.

For travel in 2027, check whether K-ETA has become mandatory again before booking.
Online authorisation
Oceania

Australia

An eVisitor subclass 651 or another visa is required before departure.

Every traveller, including children, needs their own authorisation linked to their passport.
Online authorisation
Oceania

New Zealand

NZeTA and the IVL visitor levy are required before departure for a short visa-free stay.

Biosecurity is very strict: declare food, hiking gear and animal or plant products.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

Morocco

No visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days.

A return ticket and proof of funds may be requested on arrival.
Visa required
Africa

Egypt

A tourist visa is required and may be obtained before travel or on arrival depending on the entry point.

Visa-on-arrival payment follows local rules; travelling with a passport is preferable to using an ID card.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

Tunisia

No visa for a stay of up to 3 months.

Since 1 January 2025, an ID card alone no longer replaces the passport in the general case.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Türkiye

No tourist visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The document must be in good condition; rules for unaccompanied minors are stricter.
Short stay visa-free
Middle East

United Arab Emirates

No visa required in advance; entry stamp allowing up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

French emergency passports are not recognised and some common medicines are strictly regulated.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

South Africa

No visa required in advance for a tourist stay under 90 days.

Check the date written on the entry stamp immediately.
Online authorisation
Africa

Kenya

An electronic travel authorisation (eTA) is required before boarding.

Use only the government portal and keep the authorisation available offline.
Visa required
Africa

Tanzania

A visa is required, available online or at certain entry points.

For Zanzibar, the mandatory local insurance is required in addition to your own travel insurance.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

Senegal

No visa for a stay under 3 months.

Yellow fever vaccination and transit conditions should be reviewed with a travel vaccination centre.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Mexico

No short-stay tourist visa, within the period granted by immigration.

Keep the stamp, e-gate receipt or migration document proving your legal stay.
Visa required
Americas

Cuba

A tourist eVisa is required, followed by the D’Viajeros form within 72 hours before travel.

Travel to Cuba since 2021 affects future eligibility for the US ESTA.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Costa Rica

No visa for a tourist stay of up to 180 days.

A transit country may require a longer passport validity than Costa Rica itself.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Brazil

No visa for a tourist stay under 90 days.

French-Brazilian dual nationals must enter and leave with their Brazilian passport.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Argentina

No visa for a stay under 3 months.

Exit rules for minors born or living in Argentina are specific and may require notarised permission.
Online authorisation
Americas

Dominican Republic

The free E-TICKET form is mandatory for both entry and exit, with a QR code to present.

The official form is free; paid intermediary websites are unnecessary.
European free movement
Europe

Greece

Free movement for French nationals; no visa for a stay under 3 months.

Request a European Health Insurance Card and carry valid identification.
European free movement
Europe

Portugal

Free movement for French nationals, with no tourist visa.

For a connection outside Schengen, also check the document rules of the final destination.
European free movement
Europe

France

French nationals do not need a visa or border clearance when travelling within France.

A driving licence is not always accepted as a travel document by airlines.
European free movement
Europe

Spain

Free movement for French nationals; no visa for a tourist stay under 3 months.

A loss or theft report does not guarantee boarding: travel with a valid document.
European free movement
Europe

Italy

Free movement for French nationals; no short-stay visa is needed.

Carry the original document: a photocopy alone may be refused during an identity check.
European free movement
Europe

Germany

Free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa is required.

Temporary internal border controls remain possible, so keep your document accessible.
European free movement
Europe

Netherlands

Free movement for French nationals, with no visa for a tourist trip.

Original identification may be required during transport and accommodation checks.
European free movement
Europe

Belgium

Free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa is required.

Border proximity does not remove the need to carry valid identification.
European free movement
Europe

Switzerland

Free movement for a French short stay; no tourist visa is needed.

Switzerland remains outside the EU customs union, so check goods allowances.
European free movement
Europe

Austria

Free movement for French nationals, with no short-stay visa.

The motorway vignette and winter equipment are driving requirements, not entry formalities.
European free movement
Europe

Croatia

Free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa is required.

When staying privately, check that the required presence registration has been completed.
European free movement
Europe

Iceland

Schengen free movement for French nationals, with no tourist visa.

Transit through a non-Schengen country may require a passport even though an ID card is sufficient in Iceland.
European free movement
Europe

Ireland

Free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa is needed.

Ireland is not in Schengen, so a document check on arrival is normal.
European free movement
Europe

Norway

Schengen free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa.

Svalbard has separate conditions and transit through mainland Norway may require additional evidence.
European free movement
Europe

Sweden

Free movement for French nationals, with no short-stay visa.

Temporary controls may be reinstated, so keep the original document accessible while travelling.
European free movement
Europe

Denmark

Free movement for French nationals; no short-stay tourist visa.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands do not follow exactly the same rules as mainland Denmark.
European free movement
Europe

Finland

Free movement for French nationals; no visa for a short stay.

Travel through Russia or another third country requires separate visa and document checks.
Visa required
Middle East

Jordan

A visa is required and is available online or on arrival at major border points and Amman airport.

For stays over 14 days, register the address with police; the Jordan Pass requires at least 3 nights.
Short stay visa-free
Middle East

Qatar

French nationals are visa-exempt for a tourist stay under 90 days.

Health insurance is mandatory for stays over 30 days and some medicines are prohibited.
Visa required
Middle East

Oman

A visa is required; it is issued free on arrival for a stay of up to 14 days.

The free 14-day stay cannot be extended and travel through Musandam may require multiple entries.
Visa required
Middle East

Saudi Arabia

A tourist eVisa is required before departure for French nationals.

Medical cover is required and religious pilgrimages follow separate additional procedures.
Online authorisation
Asia

Philippines

No advance visa for up to 30 days, but an eTravel Card is required before arrival and departure.

Complete the free official eTravel form about 72 hours before travel and keep the QR code.
Online authorisation
Asia

Malaysia

No visa for under 90 days, but the MDAC is required within 3 days before arrival.

Check the entry stamp at land or sea borders and the specific duration granted in Sarawak.
Online authorisation
Asia

Singapore

No advance tourist visa, but the SG Arrival Card is required no earlier than 3 days before arrival.

A yellow fever certificate is required after certain risk countries and medicine rules are very strict.
Visa required
Asia

Cambodia

A tourist visa is required and is available as an eVisa or on arrival depending on the entry point.

Cambodia e-Arrival is also required at airports; check which land borders accept the eVisa.
Visa required
Asia

Laos

A visa is required and may be requested online, from an embassy or at selected borders.

Not every land border accepts the eVisa or visa on arrival, so check the exact route.
Visa required
Asia

Nepal

A tourist visa is required and is available before departure or on arrival in Kathmandu and at selected borders.

Plan how to pay for the visa and check additional permits required for treks and protected areas.
Online authorisation
Americas

Colombia

No visa for up to 90 days; complete the Check-Mig pre-registration before air or sea travel.

The official Check-Mig is free; complete it between 72 hours and 1 hour before travel.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Peru

No visa for a French tourist stay under 3 months.

Check the duration recorded by immigration; overstaying leads to a fine and exit formalities.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Chile

No visa for a tourist stay under 3 months.

Easter Island limits stays to 30 days and checks return and accommodation evidence.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Ecuador

No tourist visa for a stay of 90 days or less.

The Galápagos apply separate controls, fees and transit rules for the archipelago.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Panama

No visa for under 90 days, with an onward ticket and evidence of USD 500 in funds.

Check that the entry stamp is in the passport, as its absence can prevent departure.