Travelling to France from the UK: everything you need to know
Travelling to France from the UK is visa-free for British citizens for stays up to 90 days, but post-Brexit rules apply. Your passport must meet strict validity requirements, EES biometric checks are live from April 2026, and ETIAS launches by end of 2026.
Travel to France from the UK is straightforward, but the rules have changed since Brexit. British citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but French passport requirements are stricter than before. The Entry/Exit System (EES) launched in April 2026, and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected before the end of 2026. If you are driving, there is a separate checklist of requirements that applies the moment your car enters France.
Everything for UK travellers planning a trip is covered here: entry rules, passport checks, how to get there, what you need in the car, and the best places to visit once you arrive.
Before you travel, an international eSIM activated before departure keeps maps, bookings, and transport apps running from the moment you land.
Do I Need a Visa for France?
🇬🇧 British citizens do not need a visa for France.
"Do I need a visa for France?" is one of the most common questions post-Brexit, and the answer for British passport holders is no, for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, visiting family, and short business trips.The 90-day allowance is shared across all Schengen countries, not just France. Time spent in Spain, Italy, Greece, or any other Schengen country within the same 180-day window counts toward the same limit.
Use Official Schengen CalculatorIf you live in the UK but hold a non-British passport, it depends entirely on your nationality, not your address. Citizens of India, China, and Pakistan, for example, require a visa regardless of UK residency.
Check French Embassy RulesNote: Stays longer than 90 days will always require a long-stay visa applied for through the French consulate.
Check your requirements with the French Embassy directly before travelling.
Visit the Official French Embassy PortalNeed immediate assistance with your Schengen application? Reach out to the consulate support desk.
Call Consulate Support (+44 20 7073 1200)France Passport Requirements
France's passport requirements for British travellers are stricter than before Brexit. Your passport must meet all three of the following:
It must have been issued within the last 10 years.
It must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from France or the Schengen Area.
It must be a biometric ePassport (electronic passport) once ETIAS launches later in 2026.
Every traveller, including children, needs their own individual passport. Since Brexit, children can no longer be added to a parent's passport for travel to France. Check this before booking if you are travelling as a family.
These French passport requirements apply whether you are entering by Eurostar, ferry, Le Shuttle, or plane.
Check Latest FCDO Entry RulesUK passports issued before 2018 sometimes carried extra months rolled over from a previous passport, pushing the expiry date beyond 10 years from the actual issue date. French border officers count from the issue date, not the expiry. A passport showing more than 10 years between issue and expiry will fail the check, even if it has not expired. Check both dates before booking.
What Are EES and ETIAS?
These are the two travel requirements for France that have changed most significantly for UK travellers since Brexit, and they are frequently confused with each other.
EES: Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaced physical passport stamping from 10 April 2026. Instead of an ink stamp, border officers now register your biometric data at your first entry point into the Schengen Area: a facial scan and fingerprints.
The EES automatically tracks entries and exits and enforces the 90/180-day rule digitally. There is nothing to apply for in advance. Rollout is ongoing across ports and crossings, so expect slightly longer queues at some border points.
Check Live EES & FCDO StatusETIAS: European Travel Information and Authorisation System
ETIAS is separate from EES and is not yet live. It is expected to launch in Q4 2026. When live, UK citizens will need to apply online before any trip to France or any Schengen country.
Average application time
Standard application fee
Valid until passport expires
For travellers under 18 & over 70
Apply only through the official EU website when it launches. The system is not yet live, so you cannot currently apply anywhere.
Visit Official ETIAS PortalThere are currently over 60 unofficial websites charging inflated fees. None are legitimate. Only ever apply through the official `.europa.eu` portal once the system goes live.
These are two of the most important travel requirements for France that every UK traveller needs to understand before booking in 2026.
How to Get to France from the UK?
Four main routes connect the two countries from the UK, each with different journey times and practical trade-offs.
Eurostar
London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Border control happens at St Pancras before departure. Trains also run to Lille, Lyon, Avignon, and Marseille seasonally. Book several weeks ahead.
Book EurostarLe Shuttle
Drives onto a train at Folkestone terminal and arrives in Coquelles near Calais. The fastest crossing for drivers. Runs 24 hours a day, year-round, with departures every 30 minutes at peak times.
Book Le ShuttleFerry
Dover to Calais is the most popular sea crossing (P&O/DFDS). Portsmouth connects to Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre, and St Malo for western routes (Brittany Ferries). Best for bikes, big luggage, or pets.
Flying
Direct flights reach Paris, Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Marseille. While it makes little sense for Paris (due to Eurostar), it is the most practical route for the south of France from regional UK airports.
If you are taking a pet to France, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a vet in the UK no more than 10 days before travel. This officially replaced the pet passport system for UK travellers after Brexit.
Check Pet RequirementsAlso Read
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What Do I Need to Drive in France?
This is the section most drivers underestimate. Travelling to France from the UK by car means carrying a specific checklist. Missing items carry on-the-spot fines, and French police do stop UK-registered vehicles.
Read Full FCDO Driving GuidanceDocuments you must carry
UK Driving LicenceMust be full and valid. No IDP is needed.
V5C LogbookMust be the original vehicle registration, not a copy.
Motor InsuranceValid certificate with at least third-party cover. No Green Card required.
Your PassportRequired for all passengers.
Mandatory equipment
UK StickerRequired on the rear unless your plate shows the UK identifier with a Union flag. (GB stickers are invalid).
Headlamp DeflectorsCompulsory to prevent dazzling traffic when driving on the right.
High-Vis JacketsOne for every passenger. Must be stored inside the cabin, not the boot.
Warning TriangleMust be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Required for driving in major French cities. There are six categories based on vehicle emissions. Delivery by post takes up to 3-4 weeks, so order well before you travel. Failure to display carries a €68 fine.
Buy Official Sticker (~€4)Road rules to know
Drive on the rightPriorité à droite applies at unmarked junctions, giving priority to vehicles joining from the right.
Radar Detectors IllegalSpeed camera detectors carry fines up to €1,500 if found in your vehicle.
Motorway Tolls (Péage)Widespread on French autoroutes. Carry a card as some booths are now card-only.
Strict Alcohol LimitsLimit is 50mg/100ml (lower than the UK). Drivers with < 3 years experience face a 20mg limit.
Emergency Speed Dial
These numbers work from any mobile phone, including those with no credit.
Travel Insurance and Health Cover
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is no longer valid for UK travellers. It has been replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which gives British citizens access to state healthcare in France at the same cost as French residents.
Apply for a Free UK GHIC✅ What GHIC Covers
- State healthcare in France
- Medically necessary treatment
- Care at the same cost as local residents
❌ What GHIC Misses
- Private medical treatment
- Repatriation flights back to the UK
- General travel disruption or lost bags
The FCDO Recommendation: Because the GHIC covers state healthcare only, the FCDO strictly recommends taking out full travel insurance alongside your GHIC for every trip to France to cover private emergencies and repatriation.
Best Places to Visit in France for the UK Tourist
France is one of the Best Summer Holiday Destinations from the UK, not just for Paris but for the regional variety within a short drive or train ride. Here are six of the strongest places to visit in France.
Paris
Still the entry point for most first-time visitors. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre, and the Seine embankments are the obvious anchors. The real Paris lives in its neighbourhood bistros, street markets, and the canal-side evenings along the Canal Saint-Martin.
Normandy
The D-Day beaches, the Bayeux Tapestry, and the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel are the main draws. Normandy also delivers some of France's best food: Camembert, Calvados, and fresh seafood along the Cotentin coast.
Provence
Lavender fields, Roman ruins, hilltop villages, and rosé. The Luberon villages of Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux, alongside the Verdon Gorge, define the region's appeal. Avoid peak-August crowds and extreme inland heat.
Loire Valley
The UNESCO-listed Loire Valley holds more châteaux per square kilometre than anywhere else in France. Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry are the standouts. The Loire à Vélo cycling route links the main châteaux.
Dordogne
One of the best places to visit in France for UK visitors who want medieval villages, river canoeing, and excellent value on food and accommodation. Sarlat-la-Canéda is the natural base. Lascaux IV and La Roque-Gageac are within easy reach.
French Riviera
Nice, Cannes, Antibes, and the hill villages inland. The combination of Old Town Nice, the Esterel coast road, and the Provençal markets makes the Côte d'Azur more than just a beach destination.
Staying Connected in France
Getting around France is easy once you are connected. The harder part is landing, opening maps, checking a train platform, confirming a hotel booking, or calling a restaurant when your usual UK network starts charging roaming fees. That is why sorting your connection before departure makes such a difference.
An eSIM for international travel is the simplest way to do that. You install it before leaving the UK, land with data already working, and avoid airport SIM kiosks, physical SIM swaps, and unpredictable roaming costs. For a France trip that might include Paris, Normandy, Provence, or even a wider Europe route, the best eSIM is the one that keeps working without extra effort.
Why Jetpac works well for France travel:
WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, and Grab stay active even after your main data allowance runs out. You can still message, navigate, and book a ride.
Call landlines and non-WhatsApp numbers in 50+ countries directly through the app. Call packs start at USD 1.99 for 5 minutes.
Use one plan across multiple devices without extra sharing charges, whether that is your laptop, tablet, or a travel companion.
Jetpac uses transparent prepaid pricing with no hidden fees and can save up to 70% compared with international roaming charges.
One setup works globally. If your France trip expands into Belgium, Spain, or Italy, you do not need to change SIMs.
Jetpac automatically connects to the strongest available local network as you move between cities, stations, and rural areas.
Where available, Jetpac connects to 5G, with fallback to strong 4G networks for highly dependable travel use.
A 100% hassle-free refund on your Jetpac eSIM helps travellers feel more confident before the trip starts.
If your flight is delayed by more than 1 hour, Jetpac includes access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide. You need to register yourself and one travel companion at least 24 hours before departure.
Help is available through WhatsApp and email at any hour, wherever your trip takes you.
For France travel, the right international eSIM is not just about data. It is about landing with maps, bookings, messages, and transport already working, while keeping the trip simple and the costs under control.
FAQs
Will My Phone Work in France?
Yes, but roaming charges apply for UK SIM cards since Brexit. Most UK networks charge typically £1-£2 per day, depending on your plan. An eSIM France plan from a travel provider is a straightforward alternative: prepaid, activated before departure, and usable across multiple countries without a physical SIM swap.
Do I need a visa for France from the UK?
British citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in France. The 90-day allowance covers all Schengen countries combined within any 180-day period. Non-British nationals living in the UK must check requirements based on their own passport nationality at uk.ambafrance.org.
What are the French passport requirements for UK travellers?
Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from France. A passport that has not expired may still be refused if the issue date is more than 10 years ago. Every traveller, including children, needs their own individual passport. Check both the issue date and expiry date before travelling. Full guidance is at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france.
What are the travel requirements for France in 2026?
The key travel requirements for France in 2026 are a passport meeting Schengen validity rules, EES biometric registration at the border from April 2026, and ETIAS pre-travel authorisation expected from Q4 2026. If driving, you also need a UK sticker, headlamp deflectors, Crit'Air vignette, high-visibility jackets, and a warning triangle.
What do I need to drive in France from the UK?
You need your UK driving licence, original V5C vehicle registration logbook, valid insurance, UK sticker, headlamp beam deflectors, a high-visibility jacket per passenger, and a warning triangle as the legal minimum. A Crit'Air vignette is also required for driving in major French cities. Order from certificat-air.gouv.fr before you travel, as postal delivery takes up to 3-4 weeks.
What are the best things to do in France for first-time visitors?
Things to do in France on a first visit naturally start with Paris, but Normandy's D-Day coast, the Loire Valley châteaux, Provence's hill villages, and the Dordogne river valley all reward a visit equally. Each is reachable by train or car from the UK and suits more than one trip.
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. Entry requirements, passport rules, visa conditions, EES and ETIAS implementation dates, driving regulations, and travel conditions are based on publicly available information at the time of writing and are subject to change. ETIAS is not yet live; do not apply through any unofficial website. Always verify current requirements through the FCDO at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france and official French government sources before booking. The GHIC covers state healthcare only and does not replace comprehensive travel insurance. Pet travel requirements are subject to change; verify with your vet and APHA before travel. Budget figures and driving fines are estimates based on publicly available data and may vary. Jetpac is not responsible for network variations, third-party data accuracy, or decisions made based on this content. No endorsement of any destination, service, or third party is implied.
