Before you go · 2026 country guides

Know your destination before you go.

Visa, passport, electronic authorisation, vaccines and driving permits: the essentials for 197 countries, explained simply with official sources.

Covered case: French passport · tourism · short stay
197 guides availableThese guides help you prepare your checks; they do not replace a consular decision or medical advice.
Visa required
Asia

Afghanistan

Entry formalities can change without notice and must not be interpreted as permission to travel.

All travel is formally advised against because of the highly unstable situation, terrorism and the extremely high kidnapping risk.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Albania

No visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days in a 6-month period.

Albania does not recognise the automatic extension of older French identity cards: the printed expiry date must cover the trip.
Visa required
Africa

Algeria

A visa is required before departure; a visa on arrival of up to 30 days exists only for certain organised Grand South tours.

Several border and Saharan areas are advised against; foreign currency worth €1,000 or more must be declared.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Andorra

EU nationals do not need a visa; access is through France or Spain.

Andorra is not in Schengen. A child travelling without a parent also needs an authorisation to leave France and a copy of the signing parent’s document.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

Angola

French nationals are visa-exempt for tourist stays up to 30 days per entry.

A yellow fever certificate is required when arriving from a risk area; travel via Cabinda and DRC requires the relevant transit visas.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 6 months.

Medical capacity is limited and hurricane season generally runs from June to November.
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.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

Armenia

French nationals do not need a visa for a stay of less than 6 months.

Land borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed; areas bordering Azerbaijan should be avoided according to the security map.
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.
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.
Online authorisation
Asia

Azerbaijan

A visa is required before departure; the official ASAN eVisa normally allows one entry and up to 30 days in the country.

Most of the country is advised against except for essential travel; land borders are closed to travellers and French nationals face an arbitrary-detention risk.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Bahamas

French nationals may make a short tourist visit without a visa; confirm the admitted duration on arrival.

Transit through the United States requires full US formalities, including a compliant passport and ESTA or visa as applicable.
Visa required
Middle East

Bahrain

A paid visa is required and is available on arrival at the airport or as an eVisa before departure.

Travel to Bahrain has been advised against except for essential reasons since 17 July 2026 because of the regional situation.
Visa required
Asia

Bangladesh

A visa is required and applying through the embassy before departure is strongly recommended. Eligible travellers may still obtain a visa on arrival after pre-registration.

Entry is not available by sea and vehicles may no longer enter through a land border.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Barbados

French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 3 months.

Arrange insurance covering treatment and evacuation; monitor hurricane alerts from June to November.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Belize

French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 30 days.

Minors travelling with one parent need the other parent’s authorisation; increased caution is required because of crime.
Online authorisation
Africa

Benin

A visa is required and must be requested on the official e-Visa portal before travel.

Northern border areas face a terrorist threat; check the official vigilance map before planning any route.
Visa required
Asia

Bhutan

A visa is required and must be arranged at least 15 days before departure through an approved Bhutanese tour operator or representative.

In addition to the visa fee, the Sustainable Development Fee was listed as USD 100 per day in the official guidance on 9 June 2026.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Belarus

A temporary visa exemption is announced for French nationals until 31 December 2026, for up to 30 days per entry.

All travel is formally advised against. The exemption cannot be used to enter Russia and its end date must be checked again before departure.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Bolivia

French nationals do not need a tourist visa for up to 90 days in a 12-month period.

Missing accommodation registration or a border stamp may result in a fine; also prepare for altitude-related risks.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Bosnia and Herzegovina

No visa is required for a tourist stay under 90 days.

Older extended identity cards are not recognised. When entering by road, check that the passport receives a dated entry stamp.
Short stay visa-free
Africa

Botswana

No visa is required for a short stay; free permission is issued at the border.

Check the granted date immediately; a child travelling with one parent needs authorisation from the absent parent.
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.
Online authorisation
Asia

Brunei

No visa for up to 90 days, but an E-Arrival Card is mandatory for every air, land or sea arrival.

Complete the E-Arrival Card no earlier than 3 days before departure and keep its reference; local and customs rules are strict.
European free movement
Europe

Bulgaria

French nationals do not need a short-stay visa; the travel document must be valid on the day of travel.

A document reported lost or stolen remains invalid even if it is later found, and entry may be refused.
Online authorisation
Africa

Burkina Faso

An e-Visa is required before departure, plus an online travel form before every entry and exit.

All travel to Burkina Faso is formally advised against amid current severe regional tensions.
Online authorisation
Africa

Burundi

A visa is required: apply online, then collect at the airport for USD 90; online entry and exit forms are also required.

The land border with Rwanda is closed; several areas require increased caution because of the regional security context.
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.
Online authorisation
Africa

Cameroon

A visa is required before departure and must be requested on the official evisacam platform.

The Far North and several North-West and South-West sectors are formally advised against; consult the official map.
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
Africa

Cape Verde

No tourist visa for up to 30 days, but EASE pre-registration and the airport security fee are required at least 5 days before arrival.

Enter and leave only through authorised airports and ports; retain proof of the EASE fee payment.
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.