Visiting France
European France, including Corsica, is in the Schengen area. France's overseas territories are not, and have their own entry rules.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit France?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is France in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 26 March 1995. Time you spend in France counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for France?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for France?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in France
Overseas France is separate. Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and France's other overseas territories aren't in the Schengen area. They have their own entry rules, so check before you go. Days there don't count towards your Schengen 90.
Paris tourist tax. Hotels and rentals in Paris add a taxe de séjour for each adult, for each night. The amount depends on the type and star rating of where you stay. Under-18s don't pay.
Higher Louvre price. Since 14 January 2026, a Louvre ticket costs €32 if you're not a citizen or resident of the European Economic Area, against €22 for Europeans. Irish citizens pay the European price. Under-18s go free.
Border checks with neighbours. France is running temporary checks on arrivals from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain and Italy, by land, air and sea. They currently run until 30 April 2027. Carry your passport even when you're coming from another Schengen country.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Service-Public.fr, France-Visas, Ville de Paris, Musée du Louvre and European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs.
See the 21 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Does a foreigner need a visa for an overseas trip? (Service-Public.fr (French Government))
- France in the Schengen area (France-Visas (French Government))
- Taxes et impôts: la taxe de séjour (Ville de Paris)
- Taxe de séjour de Paris (Ville de Paris)
- Hours, admission & directions (Musée du Louvre)
- Temporary reintroduction of border control (European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs)