Short stay visa-free
AsiaChina
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.
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 stay197 guides availableThese guides help you prepare your checks; they do not replace a consular decision or medical advice.
European free movement
EuropeCyprus
French nationals do not need a short-stay visa; the travel document must be valid on the day of travel.
Prefer arrival through Larnaca or Paphos; arriving through the north can greatly limit the consular assistance available.
Online authorisation
AmericasColombia
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.
Visa required
AfricaComoros
A visa is required and issued on arrival at Moroni airport for about €30.
Medical and emergency capacity is limited; insurance covering medical evacuation is essential.
Visa required
AfricaRepublic of the Congo
A visa is required before travel; no visa is issued on arrival.
Some inland areas require increased caution; buying ivory is prohibited and traditional objects may require proof that duties were paid.
Visa required
AsiaNorth Korea
A visa must be obtained from the relevant North Korean delegation before departure.
All travel is formally advised against; France has no embassy there and consular assistance is extremely limited.
Short stay visa-free
AsiaSouth 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.
Short stay visa-free
AmericasCosta 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.
Online authorisation
AfricaCôte d'Ivoire
A biometric visa is required; the e-Visa is finalised on arrival at Abidjan international airport.
Areas near the northern borders require particular caution; always carry proof of visa or residence status.
European free movement
EuropeCroatia
Free movement for French nationals; no tourist visa is required.
When staying privately, check that the required presence registration has been completed.
Visa required
AmericasCuba
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.
European free movement
EuropeDenmark
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.
Online authorisation
AfricaDjibouti
A visa is required: e-Visa is recommended for transit or short stays; a one-month visa on arrival remains discretionary.
Visa overstays may lead to heavy fines or imprisonment; at land borders complete both police and customs controls.
Short stay visa-free
AmericasDominica
French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 3 months.
Steep terrain, heavy rain and hurricane season make it essential to monitor weather and road conditions.
Visa required
AfricaEgypt
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
Middle EastUnited 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
AmericasEcuador
No tourist visa for a stay of 90 days or less.
The Galápagos apply separate controls, fees and transit rules for the archipelago.
Visa required
AfricaEritrea
A visa is required before travel; except by authorised exception, none is issued at Asmara airport.
Land borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan are closed; electronic devices must be declared on arrival.
European free movement
EuropeSpain
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
EuropeEstonia
French nationals do not need a short-stay visa; the travel document must be valid on the day of travel.
Temporary checks remain possible, so keep the original document accessible while travelling.
Short stay visa-free
AfricaEswatini
French nationals do not need a tourist visa for up to 30 days.
Border posts are not open 24 hours, usually operating from 07:00 to 18:00; verify times on the day of travel.
European free movement
EuropeVatican City
Tourist access is through Italy and follows the checks applicable when entering the Schengen area.
A family record book and driving licence are not travel documents; every child must have their own valid document.
Online authorisation
AmericasUnited 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
AfricaEthiopia
An e-Visa is required before departure; obtaining a visa on arrival is unreliable and not recommended.
Many areas and land borders are closed or dangerous; prefer air travel and check the vigilance map.
Short stay visa-free
OceaniaFiji
A free tourist permit is issued on arrival, with proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket.
Boarding or entry may be refused without an onward ticket. Cyclone season generally runs from November to April.
European free movement
EuropeFinland
Free movement for French nationals; no visa for a short stay.
Travel through Russia or another third country requires separate visa and document checks.
European free movement
EuropeFrance
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.
Online authorisation
AfricaGabon
A visa is required and must be requested on the official immigration portal before departure.
Yellow fever certificate checks are systematic; arrange insurance covering medical evacuation.
Visa required
AfricaGambia
A free short-stay visa is issued on arrival, including at land borders.
A charge of GMD 1,000 or €/USD 20 applies both on air entry and exit; importing food is prohibited.
Short stay visa-free
AsiaGeorgia
No visa for a stay of up to one year; health and accident insurance in English or Georgian is mandatory.
Entering Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia may lead to criminal prosecution in Georgia.
Visa required
AfricaGhana
A visa is required before arrival and must be obtained from the Ghanaian embassy; entry without one is refused.
Check the stamp immediately and carry yellow fever proof; some northern border areas are advised against.
European free movement
EuropeGreece
Free movement for French nationals; no visa for a stay under 3 months.
Request a European Health Insurance Card and carry valid identification.
Short stay visa-free
AmericasGrenada
French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 90 days.
Monitor hurricane season and regional seismic notices, including activity from the Kick’em Jenny submarine volcano.
Online authorisation
AmericasGuatemala
No visa for stays under 3 months, but an electronic customs declaration is required on entry and exit.
Present the customs QR code and avoid night road travel because of crime and road safety risks.
Online authorisation
AfricaGuinea
A visa application is required on the official platform before departure, followed by biometric enrolment and issuance in Conakry.
Amounts over USD or EUR 10,000 must be declared and leaving with more than GNF 100,000 is prohibited.
Visa required
AfricaEquatorial Guinea
A visa is required before departure; none is issued on arrival.
Identity checks are frequent and rules may change without notice; carry your documents.