What rules must a Frenchman traveling by ferry follow?

Verified 14 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You will soon take a ferry to travel in France or abroad? Before your trip, it is important to check the required documents, the rules applicable to luggage, vehicles and pets, as well as the conditions provided in case of delay or cancelation of the crossing. We present you the main precautions to take and the useful steps before your departure.

Insurance during the trip

It is necessary to check that you are well insured for your holiday.

If you are traveling with a vehicle on board the ferry, check that your car insurance policy covers travel within the country of destination.

Also check that your insurance covers the transportation of a bicycle, trailer or recreational equipment during the crossing.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are traveling to another EU country or Iceland or Liechtenstein or Norway or Switzerland, it is recommended to have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)).

The EHIC allows you to benefit from the necessary care during your stay abroad. Depending on the country, you may be exempt from advancing certain fees or having to pay them and then claim their reimbursement.

Each traveler, including a minor, must have his own EHIC.

of the company

It is strongly recommended to read the general terms and conditions (CGV) of the company.

You will find the rules applicable to luggage, vehicles, bicycles, pets and any additional costs.

Register on Ariane in case of departure abroad

It is highly recommended to register on Ariane. It is a department of the Department of Foreign Affairs that can report to you for free and easily when traveling abroad.

Ariane: to be alerted in case of crisis during a trip abroad

Once your account is created on Ariane:

  • You will receive security recommendations at the email address provided if the situation in the country warrants it
  • You are contacted in case of crisis in the country
  • The person designated as contact person can also be prevented.

The information differs according to the destination where you are going: in France, in a country of l'' (UE), in a Schengen country outside the UE (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein) or in another country.

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Travel in France

It is recommended to have in your possession an identity document (national identity card or passport), which may be requested by the carrier or during an identity check.

You must also keep your tickets and any supporting documents that allow you to benefit from a reduced rate.

Travel in the UE

If you are traveling in the UE, you must have with you:

  • Valid identity document (identity card or passport) for each passenger
  • Tickets
  • Proof of reduction.

Travel to a Schengen member country, but not to the UE: Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein

In addition to your tickets, you must carry your valid identity card or passport.

Before your trip, it is recommended to consult the website Travel advice and check the specific requirements (compulsory passport, visa if any) with the transport company or the authorities of the country of destination (embassy, consulate).

Off-UE travel

The papers to present depend on the country you wish to go to.

You can consult the site Travel advice from the ministry of foreign affairs to check.

This may be a valid passport at the time of travel or several months after return.

A visa or travel authorization may be required.

Some countries also accept a valid identity card.

It is strongly recommended that you photocopy or scan your identity documents and keep the photocopies at home or leave them with relatives. You can send yourself the scans of your identity documents by email. These copies will be useful in case of loss or theft of your papers.

In case of loss or theft of your identity card or passport, it is advisable to:

  • promptly report the loss or theft to local authorities,
  • contact the French consulate or embassy if you are abroad,
  • present copies or scans of your documents if available,
  • request, if necessary, a provisional travel document for your return.

It is advisable to keep a separate paper or digital copy of your identity documents to facilitate the steps in case of an incident.

Depending on the destination, the minor must have a valid identity card or passport.

Depending on the destination, the minor must be provided with the documents required for the trip, such as the accompanying adult.

This can be a valid identity card or passport. Some countries may also require a visa or travel authorization.

An authorization to leave the territory (AST) is not necessary when the minor travels with one of his parents holding parental authority.

The ferry terms and conditions generally state that your child must be in your care at all times.

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In France

It all depends on the company's general terms and conditions of sale. You can consult them directly on its official website or contact it directly.

Abroad

Some companies reserve the right to prohibit a minor from traveling alone.

It all depends on the company's general terms and conditions of sale. You can consult them directly on its official website or contact it directly.

FYI  

As soon as a minor child leaves France without being accompanied by one of his parents or another person having parental authority (guardian, curator), a Authorization to leave the territory (AST) is mandatory.

For access to the boat and on board, a visual inspection of your luggage can be carried out, and with your consent, their search.

In the event of a serious threat to public security, security pat-downs may be carried out with your consent. Safety palpation is an external search, above clothing, for objects dangerous to safety.

These checks are carried out within the framework of the maritime security rules applicable to ports and ships carrying passengers.

Shipping companies may prohibit or impose special conditions on the transport of certain items for safety reasons.

These include:

  • explosive or flammable substances,
  • weapons and ammunition,
  • toxic or corrosive products,
  • unauthorized gas cylinders,
  • of certain fuels carried in containers.

When traveling with a vehicle, fuel carried in jerry cans or cans may be restricted or prohibited by the company.

If you are boarding with a vehicle, it is advisable to:

  • check the dimensions declared when booking,
  • report for boarding within the time period indicated by the company,
  • follow the instructions of the staff for parking on board,
  • apply the parking brake and shut off the engine during the crossing.

Some companies require a specific reservation if you are traveling with a bicycle. This can be carried free of charge or at an additional cost depending on the company and must generally be pushed on board and parked in the area indicated by the crew.

Also check that your insurance covers the transport of the bike during the crossing.

The chosen company may require you to provide a medical certificate authorizing you to travel.

Some companies require that the medical certificate be dated 48 hours maximum before departure.

They may also request that a medical certificate be produced to certify that the trip is possible (without specifying the number of weeks of pregnancy).

In addition, some foreign companies prohibit pregnant women from taking the boat when their pregnancy is advanced. For example, some companies do not accept reservations for women who are more than 32 weeks pregnant.

To know the rules, you can consult the general conditions of sale of your company on its official website or contact it directly.

It is forbidden for companies to refuse a reservation on the grounds that a person is disabled.

When booking or purchasing your tickets, you must declare your specific needs. For example, the need to get a seat and/or bring medical devices.

Assistance needs should be reported as early as possible, ideally when booking, to allow the company to arrange the necessary assistance for boarding, disembarking or during the crossing.

In the majority of cases, the general conditions of sale of the companies allow the transport of pets.

However, it is strongly recommended to check this information on the official website of the company.

If you cannot find this information, it is best to contact the company directly.

Pet transport can be charged.

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Dog

Most companies require that the dog always stay in your company, on a leash and with a muzzle.

Most vessels are equipped with special kennel areas.

You can inquire directly with the crew of the boat.

Cabins with special kennels are to be booked in advance.

A vaccination certificate and/or a certificate of good health of less than 3 months may be requested.

If you leave France, your pet must have a european passport (for animals).

To obtain a European pet passport, it is strongly recommended to do so 6 months in advance.

Cat, rodent

A cat or rodent must obligatory be transported in a cage.

A vaccination certificate and/or a certificate of good health of less than 3 months may be requested.

If you leave France, your pet must have a european animal passport.

To obtain a European pet passport, it is strongly recommended to do so 6 months in advance.

Some companies forbid to leave your pet in your vehicle.

Other companies, on the contrary, allow the animal to be left in the vehicle.

In any case, it is strongly recommended to read carefully the general conditions of sale of the company on its official website or to contact it directly.

In the event of a long delay or cancelation, the shipping company must inform you of the situation and the proposed solutions.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to:

  • reimbursement of the ticket,
  • re-routing to your destination,
  • assistance (refreshments, meals or accommodation when necessary).

The rights to compensation depend in particular on the duration of the delay, the distance of the journey and the cause of the disruption.

Certain exceptional circumstances (bad weather, risks to the safety of the ship, etc.) may limit the rights to compensation.

Check-list before taking the ferry

Check my documents
  • My ID card or passport is valid
  • My minor children have the documents required for the destination
  • I have checked whether a visa or travel authorization is required
Prepare my health coverage and insurance
  • I bring my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for a trip to the UE, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • I have checked that my insurance covers the trip and, if necessary, my vehicle or bike
Consult the company rules
  • I have read the general terms and conditions of the company
  • I checked the rules for luggage, pets, bicycles and vehicles
  • I don't take any contraband or restricted items
In case of special need
  • I have indicated my need for assistance if I am disabled or have reduced mobility
  • I have checked the applicable conditions if I am pregnant
The day of departure
  • I arrive at the port within the time indicated by the company
  • I keep a paper or digital copy of my identity documents
  • I know the procedures to follow in case of delay or cancelation of the ferry