Documents & formalities

All the useful information to ensure you meet regulations when travelling

ID documents

You can't leave without them! Passport, visas and identity cards, even for children: forgetting them means saying goodbye to your trip. With heightened security measures in place due to Operation Vigipirate, domestic flights are also subject to strict checks for everyone’s safety. Before your departure, check which formalities you will need to take care of with your travel agency, tour operator or airline.

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French nationals

To travel within France, you will need to present a French national identity card, a passport, or a driver's license. If you are travelling to a French overseas territory via a foreign country, you will be required to show a passport.
To travel within the European Union and the Schengen Area, you will need to present a French national identity card or passport. Remember: a minor travelling without his or her parents must also have a permit to leave the country, signed by one of his or her parents.
For other destinations, you will need to present your passport. For some countries, other documents may be requested (e.g. a visa). Find out more in the Travel advice section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website / Travel advice

EU nationals

To travel within France, you will need to present an identity card or passport. If you are travelling to a French overseas territory via a foreign country, you will be required to show a passport.
To travel within the European Union and the Schengen area, you will need to present an identity card or passport. Remember: a minor travelling without his or her parents must also have a permit to leave the country, signed by one of his or her parents.
For other destinations, you will need to present your passport. For some countries, other documents may be requested (e.g. a visa). Find out more in the Travel advice section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Conditions for entry to and movement within the Schengen Area

To travel within France, you will need to present a passport and your residence permit if you have one. Find out about visas if you do not have a residence permit issued by France or a country in the Schengen Area.
To travel within the European Union and the Schengen Arean, you will need to present a passport and your residence permit if you have one. Find out about visas if you do not have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country.
For other destinations, you will need to present your passport. Some countries request visas or other documents. Find out more in the Travel Advice section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Conditions for entry to and movement within the Schengen Area