France Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens can visit France and the wider Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. No visa, no pre-registration, and no advance authorisation is required as of early 2026. ETIAS (the EU pre-travel authorisation) is not yet launched and is expected in Q4 2026 at the earliest.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter France without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa or advance authorisation is required for British citizens visiting France for short stays.\n\nThe 90/180 Rule\nYou can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. This applies across all 26 Schengen countries combined, not just France. If you spend 30 days in Spain and 30 days in Italy, you have only 30 days remaining. Overstaying can result in a ban from re-entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.\n\nETIAS: Not Yet Launched\nETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will eventually be required for UK citizens. It will cost EUR 7 for travellers aged 18-70 and will be valid for 3 years. As of early 2026, it has not yet launched. The current expected launch is Q4 2026. No application is needed for travel now.\n\nEES: Biometric Border Registration\nThe EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased rollout from October 2025. UK citizens are required to register biometric data (fingerprints and a facial photo) at the border on first entry. No advance preparation is needed. Pre-registration kiosks are available at Eurostar (St Pancras) and Eurotunnel (Folkestone) before departure.\n\nPassport Validity Rules\nYour UK passport must satisfy two conditions:\n- Issued less than 10 years before your arrival date\n- Valid for the entire duration of your stay (plus at least 3 months after your planned departure from Schengen)\n\nPassports renewed before October 2018 may carry extra months from a previous passport; Schengen officers may not count those extra months. Renew before travelling if in doubt.
France is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid UK passport
Must have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival date AND be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. Passports with extra months carried over from a previous passport may not be counted.
Return or onward travel ticket
Evidence that you intend to leave the Schengen Area within the 90-day limit.
Proof of accommodation
Hotel bookings, rental confirmation, or a letter of invitation from a host in France with their contact details.
Proof of sufficient funds Recommended
Cash, bank statement, or card to show you can support yourself. Approximately EUR 65-120 per day is a common reference figure used by border officers.
Travel insurance Recommended
Policy covering the Schengen Area for the duration of your stay. Not legally mandatory but strongly recommended and may be requested at the border.
GHIC or EHIC card Recommended
UK Global Health Insurance Card (or valid EHIC if not yet expired). Gives access to medically necessary state healthcare in France. Not mandatory but should be carried.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to France: What You Need to Know
Britain left the EU on 31 January 2020, with free movement ending on 31 December 2020. For holidaymakers, the practical impact is the 90-day limit and new border checks. For those wanting to live, work, or study in France, a long-stay visa is now required.
Travelling via Eurostar, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, or Dover-Calais ferry means UK citizens complete EES biometric registration before leaving the UK at pre-departure kiosks. Build in extra time, especially for first-time registration. UK citizens no longer use the EU/EEA passport lanes at French airports and instead queue with other non-EU travellers. France has introduced temporary flexibility measures through summer 2026 to manage queues at peak periods.
How to Get There
France does not offer a visa called "digital nomad visa" but several pathways exist for longer stays:
- Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS): For UK citizens wanting to live in France without working locally. Note: since June 2025, remote work for overseas employers is not permitted on a visitor visa
- Profession Liberale (Self-Employed) Visa: For freelancers and independent professionals. Requires demonstrating a viable activity and sufficient income (roughly EUR 21,876 annually as of 2026)
- Talent Passport (Passeport Talent): A 4-year residence permit for highly-skilled employees, investors, researchers, and innovative entrepreneurs. The entrepreneur route typically requires at least EUR 30,000 in investment
- Salarie (Employee) Visa: For UK citizens with a job offer from a French employer. Requires employer sponsorship and a work permit
All long-stay visa applications are made through the French consulate in the UK before travelling: france-visas.gouv.fr
Money & Banking
France uses the Euro (EUR). UK pounds are not accepted in shops, restaurants, or transport.\n\nUK cards: UK debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) work widely in France on Chip+PIN. Contactless payments are broadly accepted. Most standard UK bank accounts charge foreign transaction fees (typically 2.75-3%) on euro purchases.\n\nWise and Revolut: Both offer near-mid-market exchange rates with low or no fees on euro spending. Wise allows you to hold and spend EUR directly. Revolut Standard (free) includes up to EUR 1,000/month in fee-free currency conversion.\n\nATMs: Use ATMs from major French banks (BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale) where possible. Always choose to pay in euros if the ATM offers a choice between EUR and GBP; selecting GBP activates the ATM's own poor exchange rate (dynamic currency conversion).\n\nTipping: Tipping culture in France is lighter than in the US. A service charge (service compris) is legally included in restaurant bills. Leaving a small tip (a euro or two, or rounding up) is appreciated but not expected. Tip in cash where possible.
Practical Tips
- Driving: Drive on the right. If your number plate displays the UK identifier with a Union flag, no additional sticker is needed. If it shows an older GB roundel or EU-style design, attach a UK sticker (not GB) to the rear. Carry your driving licence, V5C, and proof of insurance. The drink-drive limit in France is 0.5 g/L, lower than in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Speed limits: 130 km/h motorways, 80 km/h single-carriageway, 50 km/h in towns\n- Crit'Air vignette: If driving into certain French cities including Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg, you need a Crit'Air emissions sticker (approximately EUR 5, ordered in advance at certificat-air.gouv.fr). Failure to display one in a low-emission zone can result in an on-the-spot fine of EUR 135\n- Healthcare (GHIC/EHIC): The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives UK residents access to medically necessary state healthcare in France at the same cost as a French resident, which is often free or heavily subsidised. Old EHIC cards are still valid until their expiry date. Apply for a free GHIC at nhs.uk. GHIC does not replace travel insurance; take out a separate policy as well\n- Language: French is the official language. English is widely understood in Paris and tourist areas. A few basic French phrases are appreciated and often result in warmer service
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa to visit France?
No. British citizens do not need a visa to visit France or any other Schengen Area country for short stays. You can travel for tourism, visiting family, or business for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without applying for anything in advance.
This applies regardless of Brexit -- short-stay visa-free access for UK passport holders applies under EU rules for qualifying third countries.
What is the 90/180 day rule and how does it work?
The 90/180 rule means you can spend a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area -- all 26 countries combined. It is not 90 days per country.
The 180-day window rolls forward daily, so you must count backwards 180 days from any given date and check that you have not already spent 90 days in Schengen during that window. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years. Use the European Commission's Schengen calculator to check your allowance before travelling.
Is ETIAS launched yet and do I need it for France?
Not yet. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel authorisation that will eventually be required for UK and other non-EU visitors. It will cost EUR 7 for travellers aged 18-70, be valid for 3 years, and function similarly to the US ESTA.
However, as of early 2026, ETIAS has not launched. The current expected launch is Q4 2026. No application is needed for travel to France now. Check travel-europe.europa.eu for the official launch announcement before booking trips later in 2026.
Does my EHIC or GHIC card still work in France after Brexit?
Yes. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) -- and any existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) still within its validity date -- works in France. It gives you access to medically necessary state healthcare at the same cost as a French resident, which is often free or heavily subsidised.
Apply for a free GHIC at nhs.uk if you do not already have one. Note that GHIC does not replace travel insurance -- take out a separate policy as well, as it does not cover private treatment, repatriation, or non-medical emergencies.
What are the options for travelling directly from the UK to France?
Eurostar connects London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in around 2 hours 20 minutes, and also serves Lille, Lyon, Marseille, and ski resorts in winter. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Folkestone to Coquelles near Calais) carries you and your car through the Channel Tunnel in 35 minutes.
Cross-Channel ferries run from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk, and from Portsmouth, Newhaven, and Poole to Normandy and Brittany. Flying is available from most UK airports to French cities.
For Channel Tunnel and Dover ferry passengers, EES biometric registration is completed in the UK before departure at dedicated kiosks -- arrive earlier than usual, especially during the phased rollout period through 2026.
Can I drive in France with a UK licence?
Yes. A valid UK driving licence is recognised in France for short visits. You must drive on the right.
If your number plate displays the UK identifier with a Union flag, no additional sticker is needed. If it shows an EU-style design or older GB roundel, attach a UK sticker (not GB) to the rear of the vehicle.
Carry your driving licence, vehicle registration (V5C), and proof of insurance. If driving into certain French cities including Paris, you need a Crit'Air vignette (emissions sticker, approximately EUR 5, ordered in advance at certificat-air.gouv.fr).
The drink-drive limit in France is 0.5 g/L -- lower than in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.