Travel abroad: for which country does a French person have to apply for a visa?

Verified 19 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

To travel in Europe, in the European Economic Area (EEA) and in Switzerland, no visa is required (whether you are an adult or a minor).

However, to travel in the most other foreigner countries, you need a short-stay visa (whether you are of legal age or a minor). And you have to present a valid passport.

Warning  

Some countries require that your passport or again valid several months after the expected return date in France.

The visa is a document that attests that you are allowed to travel to a foreigner country for a specified time.

It is issued by the competent authorities of the country.

It can be either free or paid.

The validity period of the visa is indicated on the visa itself. It varies according to the legislation of the host country and the duration requested. In general, the duration ranges from a few days to 3 months.

For know if your country of destination requires a visa, you can consult the country sheet concerned from the website of the ministry of foreign affairs

If you are going to another country, you must ask the consulate or embassy of the country concerned in France.