ETIAS for France

Citizens of eligible nations will soon need ETIAS to visit France. The travel authorisation for Europe will be available from 2026 . The application is fully online and can be completed at any time of day, from anywhere with an internet connection.

France is the most visited country in the world with close to 90 million international arrivals annually. Thanks to the introduction of a visa waiver, the nation is set to become even safer and more secure ETIAS will improve the security of EU citizens and tourists.

France was 1 of the 6 founding members of the EU, which was formed in 1958. Since then, France has been a prominent member of the union.

A number of French politicians have held the position of President of the European Commission since its inception, one notable figure is Jacques Delors who was president for over 10 years.

In addition, the French city of Strasburg is one of the 3 official seats of the European institutions.

The French Republic was also one of the original Schengen Area members, signing the agreement along with just 4 other states in 1985.

In recent years, the EU has been developing the new travel authorisation, ETIAS, which aims to prevent irregular cross-border activity and boost security in France and the other Schengen countries.

France is Europe’s tourist hotspot with the most annual visitors.

One major attraction for many non-Europeans is the ability to stay in France short-term without a visa. Europe’s visa liberalisation policy allows citizens of eligible countries to stay for up to 90 days using just a passport.

From 2026 , however, passport holders from these visa waiver states will be able to apply for ETIAS to enter France. ETIAS will become an entry requirement for France.

Paris, the French capital, is one of the most important cities in Europe. It offers varied business and commerce opportunities, as well as being a cultural and artistic hub.

One of the reasons why France is so popular is the fact that, as indicated above, it shares borders with 6 other Schengen members. With no internal borders in the Schengen Area, foreigners with an ETIAS visa waiver will be able to visit France from other states using the same visa waiver.

Reliable train services facilitate movement around France and beyond. The national network connects all major towns and cities whilst high-speed trains are available to get to neighbouring countries.

IS MEDICAL INSURANCE NEEDED FOR FRANCE?

European’s heading to France should take their EHIC Card. The European Health Insurance Card gives access to healthcare across Europe.

Whether or not a non-EU national needs to take out medical insurance before going to France depends on the type of travel document they are applying for.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR ETIAS FRANCE

Citizens from countries that do not need a visa to enter Europe must instead register online for ETIAS France.

To obtain the European visa waiver, it is not necessary to take out medical insurance for France. Whilst health cover is not one of the ETIAS requirements, it is recommended.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SCHENGEN VISA FOR FRANCE

The Schengen visa is available to foreigners from non-visa-waiver countries. Applicants must meet all the criteria in order to be eligible.

One such requirement is the ability to provide evidence of medical insurance valid for the entire Schengen Area. The policy must cover a minimum of €30,000.

Schengen Visa applications that are not accompanied by the relevant documentary proof will be rejected.

CROSSING FRENCH BORDER CHECKPOINTS

Citizens of the EU simply need to have their identification document when crossing internal Schengen Area borders such as those that France shares with Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.

Thanks to Europe’s visa liberalisation policy, people from several non-EU nations can currently enter France using just a passport, provided the intended stay does not exceed 90 days.

Once ETIAS is implemented, however, a visa waiver will become mandatory for individuals from visa-exempt third countries. As the approved ETIAS authorisation is linked electronically to the applicant’s passport, there’s no need to carry around a physical permit.

Travellers who are not eligible for the European visa waiver will be asked to present the following before crossing an external Schengen Area border to reach France:

Questions may be asked relating to the purpose and length of the stay in France.

A declaration is required to carry more than €10,000 in cash into or out of the EU.

ARRIVING IN FRANCE BY PLANE, CAR AND TRAIN

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (IATA: CDG, ICAO: LFPG) is France’s largest international airport. Being the second busiest airport in Europe, it is a major aviation hub.

Direct flights arrive at Paris airport from major cities across the world daily, whilst domestic routes connect the city to other areas of France.

The availability of plane tickets throughout the year means flying is a popular option for overseas visitors.

Trains provide a convenient alternative if arriving from nearby European territory. Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg can all be reached by train.

With no internal Schengen borders, driving into France does not involve control checkpoints. Travellers should simply ensure they have their passport with approved ETIAS attached or relevant visa when crossing the frontier from another Schengen Area.

Tourists in France can find everything from sandy beaches to mountain ranges. The diversity of the landscape makes France an ideal destination for holidaymakers seeking a relaxing summer vacation or winter ski trip.

The Côte d'Azur, or French Riviera, is a summer hotspot boasting miles of coastline and many luxury resorts. In contrast, the peaks of the French Pyrenees to the south and the Alps to the east welcome thousands of outdoor sports enthusiasts each year.

Cities in France are well worth visiting. Home to such emblematic monuments as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris tops many travellers’ bucket lists.

Museums and galleries including the world-famous Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, make Paris a top location for anyone with an interest in art and culture whilst also offering exclusive shopping and dining experiences.

Beyond Paris, the south of France enjoys good weather and some of the best wineries. Other cities worth exploring include Lion, Nice, and Bordeaux.