To visit Paris, foreign arrivals need to follow France’s visa policy. The entry requirements depend on the visitor’s nationality, as well as their travel plans.
In 2026, travellers from over 50 countries wishing to visit Paris will need to get ETIAS, an electronic travel authorisation designed to pre-screen foreign visitors.
In this page, we provide information about the ETIAS for Paris and what it means for eligible travellers.
Do I need a visa for Paris?
Travellers from some countries need to apply for a visa to visit Paris, while other nationalities can currently travel there without a visa. The nationalities that do not need a visa to travel to Paris are known as visa exempt.
Citizens of visa exempt countries can enter France, as well as other countries in the Schengen Area, without a visa.
However, in 2026 travellers who are visa exempt will need to apply for the new European Travel Information and Authorization System—the ETIAS for France.
While nationals of these countries will still not be required to have a French visa, they will be required to have this new travel document instead.
Obtaining the ETIAS to visit Paris will be a fairly simple and straightforward process, compared to getting a consular visa.
Do I need an ETIAS for Paris?
When the ETIAS has been introduced, travellers from visa exempt countries will need an ETIAS to visit Paris.
International arrivals will no longer be able to enter France without a travel authorisation, they must follow this new entry requirement if they wish to travel to Paris.
ETIAS visa waiver for Paris
The ETIAS is not a visa, it is a visa waiver. It will allow the holder to travel to any country in the Schengen Area without having to apply for a visa before arrival.
Visa exempt travellers with an ETIAS for Paris will be able to use the visa waiver for their trip to France, as well as any other Schengen country.
The travel authorisation will allow the holder to stay in Paris, or anywhere else in France, for up to 90 days. The ETIAS will be valid for any tourism or business trip.
Travellers who wish to travel to Paris for longer than 90 days, or to work or study, will have to apply for a visa instead of the Electronic Visa Waiver.
Tourists will be able to apply for a Paris ETIAS completely online. The process will be much quicker and more straightforward than applying for a traditional visa.
Paris ETIAS requirements
Once the ETIAS to visit Paris is a mandatory entry requirement, applicants will need to have the following to be eligible:
- Passport for a visa exempt country
- Email address
- Credit or debit card
Travellers with dual nationality will have to use a passport from 1 of the eligible countries to apply and to travel to the Schengen area. The passport will need to be valid for at least 3 months from the date of intended departure from France.
Visiting Paris with an ETIAS
France is now open again for international travel. Overseas visitors can enter the country, providing they have the correct travel documents.
The ETIAS travel authorisation application process will be simple for tourists visiting Paris.
Once the online application form has been completed, the applicant will receive the travel document by email. The authorisation is also electronically attached to their passport.
