What is a ban on leaving French territory for terrorism?
Verified 11 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The exit ban (IST) is a measure which aims to prevent one French from going abroad for participate to terrorist activities. We present you the information to know.
An STI can be taken against a French minor or adult, suspected of considering travel abroad for the following reasons:
- He is suspected of involvement in terrorist activities
- He is suspected of traveling to a place where terrorist groups operate, which may then lead him to commit terrorist acts upon his return to France.
The STI decision is made by the minister of the interior on the basis of serious evidence suggesting that the person poses a terrorist threat.
His decision is written and reasoned.
The Minister of the Interior shall give the person concerned the opportunity to submit his observations to him within a maximum of 8 days after notification.
The person concerned is informed by any means (SMS, email...).
The decision of IST is then made notified in one of the following 3 ways:
- Where it is possible that it is located (home, point of passage...), by the police or gendarmerie services
- By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt
- During a police check
A notice shall be attached to the decision and shall inform it of its rights and obligations.
When the person concerned is a minor, his parents are immediately notified.
The IST has a validity period of 6 months maximum from its notification.
The Minister of the Interior may renew the IST by written and reasoned decision.
The IST decision is then notified (i.e. notified to the data subject) in the same way as for the initial decision.
The STI leads toregistration of the person concerned in the wanted persons file (RPF). The information is transmitted to the Schengen Information System (SIS). This transmission allows an alert to be issued throughout the Schengen area.
The STI leads to invalidity of passport and/or identity card of the person concerned for a period of 6 months. Because of this, she cannot travel.
The IST only prohibits leaving French territory. It does not prohibit internal movement.
The person concerned must return his/her passport and/or national identity card from the notification of the IST decision and, at the latest, within 24 hours following the notification.
The IST decision shall indicate to whom the identity documents are to be given:
- National police or gendarmerie services
- Prefecture of the domicile or place where the person is
General case
In Paris
In exchange for the return of all his identity documents, a receipt shall be issued to the person concerned (or a certificate pending receipt).
The receipt is considered as proof of identity in France.
The duration of the receipt is equal to that of the IST.
The person concerned has several possibilities to challenge the IST decision.
Write to the Ministry of the Interior
The person concerned may write to the Minister of the Interior to present his or her observations.
It has a maximum period of 8 days from the notification the decision of IST.
She's entitled to a lawyer.
His letter should be addressed to the Directorate of Civil Liberties and Legal Affairs (DLPAJ) of the Ministry of the Interior.
Who shall I contact
Request an interview
The person concerned may submit his observations during an interview at the prefecture of his home or place of residence.
She may be accompanied by a person of her choice or be represented by a lawyer.
The person concerned must contact the prefecture to request the interview within 8 days of the notification the decision of IST.
General case
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Bring the matter before the administrative court
The person concerned may refer the matter to the administrative court to request the annulment of the IST decision.
To bring an action before the administrative tribunal, it may use a interim suspension or a summary proceedings freedom.
The appeal must be made within the 2 months following the notification the STI decision or its renewal.
The Administrative Court has 4 months to make a decision.
Leaving or attempting to leave France in violation of an STI is punishable by 3 years in prison and €45,000 of a fine.
Failure to comply with the obligation to return one's passport and national identity card is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and €4,500 of a fine.
The STI ends if it is not renewed or if it is repealed by the minister.
It may also be terminated if the Administrative Court annuls the decision.
When the STI expires, if it is not renewed, the person concerned regains the possibility of leaving the territory.
Decision prohibiting departure from the territory
Return of identity documents and receipt
Service Public
National Commission for Informatics and Liberties (Cnil)