Documents and formalities
Identity card or passport, visa, boarding pass, do not go to the airport without your documents because you will be asked for them. Without them, you will not be able to travel.
It is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure that they are in possession of their valid identity documents (babies included) and to renew them whenever necessary (bearing in mind that this may take a long time).
Depending on the country you are travelling to, you may be asked for a passport, or a national identity card (NIC) issued by one of the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA); in some cases, a visa or other documents may also be required by your destination country. Before leaving, check with the appropriate authorities, your travel agency or your airline.
Do not forget to check the conditions of entry into French territory.
I am French
I am travelling in mainland France: you will need to present a European national identity card, a passport or a driving licence with photo.
I am travelling in the European Union and the Schengen area: you will need to present a French national identity card or a passport.
I am travelling to another destination: you will need to present your passport. For certain countries, other documents may be requested (visa for example). Check the Advice by country / destination page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
I am a national of the European Union
I am travelling in mainland France: you will need to present a national identity card or a passport.
I am travelling in the European Union: you will need to present an EEA national identity card or a passport. For non-Schengen destinations, Check the Advice by country / destination page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
I am travelling to a destination outside the European Union: you will need to present your passport. Some countries accept EEA national identity cards. Other documents may be required (visa for example). Check the Advice by country / destination page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
I am not a national of the European Union
I am travelling in mainland France: you will need to present a national identity card or a passport.
I am travelling in the European Union: you will need to present an EEA national identity card or a passport. For non-Schengen destinations, Check the Advice by country / destination page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
I am travelling to a destination outside the European Union: you will need to present your passport. Some countries accept EEA national identity cards. Other documents may be required (visa for example). Check the Advice by country / destination page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Useful tips
Here are some tips and reminders for travelling with complete peace of mind.
- Many countries do not recognise the 5-year automatic extension of French identity cards. Therefore, we strongly recommended using a valid passport rather than an identity card with an expiry date that has passed, even if the French authorities still consider it to be valid. Learn more (in French).
- For French minor children residing in France to be able to travel, they will require consent to travel abroad known as the autorisation de sortie du territoire (AST) (in French). Any minor who lives in France and wishes to travel abroad alone or without being accompanied by one of their legal guardians must have an AST. A parent (or legal guardian) must complete and sign the relevant form. This form must be accompanied by a photocopy of an identity document of the signing parent. Learn more (in French). A family record book cannot be accepted as a travel document.
- If you are travelling in Europe, remember to apply for your European health insurance card online at least 3 weeks in advance, so you will not have to cover any advance medical costs.
- Before leaving, scan your documents and save them to an online storage space, in the “cloud” or in your email. These will not replace the original documents, which will be required, but may be useful in the event that you lose your documents.
- To avoid additional costs at the airport, book and check-in on the airline's website or app a few days before departure and download your boarding pass.