Passport Atlas

Entering France

France playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#101

Entry openness

Visa free

Visa required

105

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Country profile

Capital

Paris

Population

68.7 million

Area

547,030 km²

Currency

Euro EUR

Languages

French

Time zone

UTC+01:00

Foreign-born

9.2 million · 2024

Migrant share

13.8%

Ethnic groups

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type C / Type E

Mains

230 V · 50 Hz

Driving

Right

Emergency

Police 17 · Ambulance 15

Dialing code

+33

Airports

CDG · ORY · LYS · NCE

Highlights

Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Palace of Versailles
Mont-Saint-Michel
Provence

France Passport Guides · France Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

Schengen short-stay (type C)
Visit / tourism · 90 days in any 180-day period
- Apply at a Schengen consulate or visa centre in your country of residence, with biometrics, for the main destination.
- Visa-exempt passports use the EES entry/exit system. ETIAS will apply on the EU timetable — confirm whether your passport is in scope before travel.
Talent Passport
Work · Up to 4 years, renewable
- Employment, researcher, founder or artist categories via France-Visas as a long-stay visa.
Long-stay visitor (no work)
Visit / tourism · 1 year, renewable
- Prove you will not work in France and have sufficient means.

Immigration routes

10-year card / EU long-term resident
Skilled work
After about 5 years’ lawful stay, apply for long-term resident status.
Leads to PR：The long-term card is near-PR.