With what documents can a French person go to the overseas departments and regions (Drom)?

Verified 26 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you go to an overseas department or region, the document to be presented varies depending on whether you are of age or a minor:

Major

You can travel in a Drom with a national identity card or a valid passport.

But beware:

  • If you transit through a European Union (EU) countries or the Schengen Area, a valid identity card is sufficient for travel.
  • If you are transiting through a non-EU or non-Schengen country (examples: Morocco, Turkey, United Kingdom, Dutch part of the island of St. Maarten - Sint Maarten), a valid passport is required, even if you do not pass border controls and remain in an international zone.

Please note

Some airlines or travel agencies may apply for a passport, even for non-stop journeys outside the EU, depending on their own conditions. It is therefore recommended to check with the carrier before departure.

Minor

A French minor must present, as an adult, a identity card or a valid passport to travel to a Drom.

Authorization to leave the territory (AST) is not required for a direct travel to a Drom, whether the minor is accompanied or not.

However, if the trip includes a stopover in a foreigner country (outside France), even without leaving the airport, AST becomes mandatory.

Before departure, it is therefore strongly recommended to check the requirements of the country of stopover, especially if the minor is traveling alone or with an accompanying person other than his parents.

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