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.
Online authorisation
Africa

Malawi

A visa has been required since January 2026: e-Visa is recommended; a visa on arrival has also been available since February 2026.

Print the e-Visa and verify its authenticity; the indicative fee for a single tourist entry is USD 50.
Online authorisation
Asia

Maldives

A free tourist visa is issued on arrival for under 30 days; the IMUGA traveller declaration is mandatory within 96 hours before the flight.

Overstaying may lead to arrest, detention and removal; also check the IMUGA declaration requirement before departing the Maldives.
Visa required
Africa

Mali

A visa is required from a Malian consulate; none is issued at Bamako airport.

All travel to Mali is formally advised against because of the security situation and severe regional tensions.
European free movement
Europe

Malta

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

Every child must have their own valid identity card or passport.
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.
Online authorisation
Africa

Mauritius

No tourist visa for stays under 3 months; complete the Mauritius All in One Travel Form before departure.

Importing electronic cigarettes and their liquids is prohibited; the permitted duration remains at immigration’s discretion.
Online authorisation
Africa

Mauritania

Electronic visa authorisation is required before travel, followed by a biometric visa on arrival for €55.

Use only the 21 international border posts and never the red-zone Gogui crossing; alcohol and pork products are prohibited.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Oceania

Micronesia

No entry permit is required for a visit of up to 30 days.

Complete the immigration and quarantine documents supplied by the carrier; inter-state transport, healthcare and evacuation options are limited.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Moldova

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

The extension of older identity cards is not recognised. Travel to Transnistria is advised against unless essential and consular assistance there is very limited.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Monaco

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

The border with France is open, but a valid identity card or passport is still needed to prove identity.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

Mongolia

Until 31 December 2026, French tourists may enter visa-free for 30 consecutive days.

This exemption is temporary and limited to tourism; a long stay must be registered within 48 hours.
Short stay visa-free
Europe

Montenegro

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

An older extended identity card is officially accepted, but a valid passport remains strongly recommended to avoid problems.
Online authorisation
Africa

Mozambique

For a tourist stay under 30 days, online authorisation is required 5 to 7 days before travel and finalised on arrival.

Hotel reservations must be paid and evidenced; northern Cabo Delgado remains largely formally advised against.
Visa required
Asia

Myanmar (Burma)

A visa is required before departure; tourist visas may be requested online.

The entire country is either formally advised against or advised against except for essential travel; armed conflict, mines and arbitrary arrests remain possible.
Online authorisation
Africa

Namibia

A short-stay visa has been required since April 2025 and may be obtained online or at designated entry points.

Stamp date errors are frequent and overstays may lead to arrest; minors need the appropriate birth and consent documents.
Visa required
Oceania

Nauru

A visitor visa must be obtained before travel from Nauru Immigration.

Immigration may temporarily retain the passport on arrival; specialist healthcare generally requires costly evacuation.
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.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Nicaragua

No visa for a short stay up to 90 days; an entry request form must be submitted before travel under the official procedure.

The political situation remains unstable; Bluefields is advised against except for essential travel and the rest of the country requires increased caution.
Visa required
Africa

Niger

A visa is required before travel; none is issued on arrival.

All travel to Niger is formally advised against and the French embassy there is closed until further notice.
Online authorisation
Africa

Nigeria

A visa is required: complete the online application then attend the relevant centre; electronic arrival and departure cards are mandatory.

Many states and routes are formally advised against because of terrorism, kidnapping and crime; consult the official map.
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.
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.
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.
Online authorisation
Africa

Uganda

An e-Visa is required before departure, indicatively USD 50; visas on arrival are suspended.

Use only the official portal because fraudulent visa sites are common; several border areas require increased caution.
Short stay visa-free
Asia

Uzbekistan

No visa for a stay of up to 30 days.

Strictly follow the registration process completed by each accommodation and keep the evidence until departure.
Visa required
Asia

Pakistan

A visa must be requested from a Pakistani diplomatic mission before travel.

Most of the country is formally advised against or advised against except for essential travel, notably because of the very high terrorism risk.
Short stay visa-free
Oceania

Palau

No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days.

The archipelago requires increased caution and has limited medical capacity; check that diving and evacuation are covered by insurance.
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.
Online authorisation
Oceania

Papua New Guinea

A short-stay visa is mandatory; the 60-day tourist permit can be requested on the official eVisa portal.

Security risks are high in several cities and consular capacity is limited: arrange trusted transport, insurance and evacuation before departure.
Short stay visa-free
Americas

Paraguay

French passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay under 90 days.

Missing entry or exit stamps at land borders may result in a heavy fine; a yellow fever certificate may be required depending on origin.
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.
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.
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.
European free movement
Europe

Poland

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

Prefer a valid passport to an older French identity card whose validity was extended without a new printed date.
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.