Visa-free entry to France is limited to European countries (Schengen area) and a few dozens other countries around the world.

The general rule under international law is that you need a visa to enter a foreign country. However, there are exemptions for many countries governed by international agreements. See our post for the List of countries concerned by a Visa to enter France.

We list below all the nationalities for which such agreements exist. All nationals of these countries can enter France without a visa …. but they are not exempt from providing other administrative documents, as is the case for entry into each of the Schengen Area countries.

Please note that once entry controls have been completed at the entry in one of the 29 states of the Schengen area, all foreign nationals will be able to travel freely between these states, without being checked again.

Visa-free entry to France also requires administrative documents from foreigners

This post deals only with the administrative documents required for short stays of less than 90 days – over a maximum period of 180 days – and when a visa is not required to enter France.

The following documents must be presented on arrival in France. It is true that all these documents, with the exception of the passport, will rarely be required. However, this is at the discretion of the border police, who may refuse you entry to France if any of these documents are missing:

• A valid passport, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure;
• A valid visa, when required;
• Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of the stay (hotel reservation and/or proof of accommodation with a relative, validated in advance by the person’s local town hall);
• Sufficient financial resources. Means of subsistence are assessed on the basis of the length and purpose of the stay, and with reference to average food and accommodation prices in member states;
• Your return ticket or proof of sufficient financial means to purchase one on the date of your planned return;
• Any document giving details of the traveler’s profession or status, as well as the establishments or organizations located on French territory by which you are expected to travel, if you are on a business trip.

For France, the amount of sufficient resources for your stay to be justified

The amount required for all Schengen countries varies from state to state. It applies when a visa is required to enter France, or even when a visa is not necessary :

• 65 euros per day of stay if a hotel reservation is submitted;
• 120 euros per day if a hotel reservation is not submitted;
• In the case of a partial hotel reservation: 65 euros per day for the period covered by the reservation and 120 euros per day for the remainder of the stay.
• If you’re staying with a private individual, you’ll need to provide a “attestation d’accueil” issued by the town hall at the request of the person inviting you (nb: when crossing the border, you’ll also need to provide proof that you’re in possession of a minimum sum per day of stay, in addition to your “attestation d’accueil” – this minimum sum is 32.50 euros per day).
• You must be in possession of an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death-related expenses likely to be incurred during your stay in France, including repatriation for medical reasons.

A guarantee of payment of potential medical expenses must be provided

This proof is easy to provide for nationals of the Schengen area. An European document from their national insurance company exists – but this document must be requested before coming to France. If you forget to obtain it, you will have to pay all medical expenses in advance and be reimbursed on your return. In the case of hospitalization, these costs can amount to several thousand euros. The easiest way could be to contract an inexpensive private travel insurance company for the duration of your trip. By clicking on “interesting travel insurance” you can directly and easily protect yourself during your stay in France.

For Nationals out of the Schengen area, you must provide a certificate from your insurance company. But that is often difficult for the French authorities to verify. The easiest way is again to contract an inexpensive private travel insurance company for the duration of your trip.

List of “Visa-free entry to France” countries

The list below includes countries inside and outside the Schengen area, but all “Visa-free entry to France”.