Unaccompanied minors
An underage child travelling alone requires a number of documents. The applicable rules vary according to the child's age, situation and destination.
-
French minors
→ Is your child travelling to a country requiring only the national identity papers?
If the child is travelling alone or accompanied by someone other than you, in addition to the national Identity papers, a travel permit to exit France is required.
→ Is your child travelling to a country requiring a passport ?
If travelling alone, the child must have a personal passport, whatever the age of the child.
If travelling to a country requiring a visa, the child also requires a personal visa. -
Minors of another nationality
The UM* passenger status is limited to children between 4 and 12 years of age. Some airlines offer this service for children below 4 years of age, usually at extra charge. Inquire from your airline the conditions for children below 4 years of age travelling alone or with someone other than a parent. -
Minors between 4 and 12 years of age
Your unaccompanied child travels, sometimes at extra charge, as an UM* passenger.
Inquire from your airline the conditions.
• Assistance
Once check-in has been completed, your child is looked after by the airline. From this point, the airline has legal responsability of the child.
The child is given a "UM* pouch" containing 4 documents:
- the airline ticket
- the identity documents
- the parental authorization
- a filled-in identification sheet listing the name and address of the person designated person to pick up the child at the destination airport.
A steward or stewardess will escort the child until the flight boards.
*UM : Unaccompanied Minor