ETIAS France > ETIAS Requirements > United Kingdom to France

ETIAS France for British citizens

Now that the UK has left the European Union, British nationals are no longer EU citizens. For this reason, UK passport holders will soon need to apply for ETIAS.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to be launched in 2026 to increase security and safety across the Schengen Area, which includes France.

From the launch date, British nationals will no longer be able to cross the border into France using just their passport, an ETIAS France permit will also be required.

France entry requirements from the UK

If you’re a British citizen planning to travel to France you must meet the country’s entry requirements.

As France is part of the borderless Schengen Area, the entry rules are the same as all other Schengen countries. UK visitors must have the following to enter France:

British passport	✅
ETIAS France (from 2026)	✅

Do I need a visa to go to France from the UK?

You do not need a visa to go to Paris from the UK, or any other part of France or the Schengen Area.

You can stay in the Schengen travel zone for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. Your reason for travel must be tourism, business, or transit.

If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days at a time, or for a reason that’s not stated above, you must apply for a Schengen visa at a French embassy or consulate.

Note: While you do not need a visa to travel to France, you will soon need an ETIAS visa waiver to continue enjoying visa-free travel. You can find more information about this new policy below.

ETIAS France for the UK: Key details

The ETIAS for France travel authorisation follows the same entry rules as the visa-exemption policy:

Length of stay	90 days in a 180-day period
Purpose of travel	Tourism, business, transit
Validity	3 years

It’s important to understand that ETIAS France is not a visa. It’s a visa waiver which allows UK citizens to travel without a visa.

ETIAS will be an additional step to the Schengen Area’s visa-free policy, facilitating a safer and smoother entry process for non-Schengen travellers.

ETIAS France requirements for UK citizens

If you’re planning on visiting France from the UK from 2026, you’ll need to register with ETIAS. You must ensure you meet the ETIAS France requirements before starting the registration process.

All you need to register with ETIAS is the following:

UK passport: Must meet the requirements outlined below
Email address: To receive the approved visa waiver
Debit or credit card: To pay the ETIAS processing fee

UK passport requirements for ETIAS France

Your passport must meet the following requirements to be eligible for ETIAS France:

Validity

The passport rules for France require your passport to be valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of departure from France or the Schengen Area.

Biometric

Your passport must be biometric (ePassport), as the ETIAS visa waiver is linked to the electronic chip. Since 2010, all passports issued by the British Government have been biometric, which means that the vast majority of UK citizens are eligible.

Use the same passport

ETIAS France cannot be transferred from one passport to another. For this reason, Brits applying for ETIAS with dual nationality should use the same document to make the application and enter France.

Expired passports

Similarly, if the passport expires during the 3-year validity period of the ETIAS, a new visa waiver must be obtained.

ETIAS France application from the UK

The ETIAS France application process for British nationals is fully online and can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Once it becomes mandatory to apply for ETIAS to visit France, UK citizens will be able to complete the process online in just a few minutes. Most applications are expected to be approved almost immediately.

After filling in the ETIAS France form with the information listed below, applicants pay the visa waiver fees using a debit or credit card before submitting their request.

ETIAS France required information for UK applicants

To apply for ETIAS to visit France, UK passport holders should complete the online application form.

The brief questionnaire requires a few personal details and passport information, including:

Personal details: Name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, nationality, your parents’ first name(s)
Contact information: Home address, email address, phone number
Passport data: Passport number, expiry date
Education and occupation: Level of education, current occupation
Travel plans: Destination country, accommodation address

You must then answer a few security questions to complete the form.

All the information provided must be accurate. Any errors or omissions may lead to processing delays or even rejection of the ETIAS for France.

ETIAS France security clearance for UK citizens

ETIAS checks your information against security databases, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), EUROPOL, and ECRIS, as well as the ETIAS watchlist.

Provided you meet the ETIAS France requirements for British nationals and there are no hits during automatic pre-screening, the ETIAS will be approved and digitally linked to your passport.

On the rare occasion that something is flagged up, your application will be processed manually by the ETIAS Central Unit and National Units. They have the final decision on whether to grant access to France with ETIAS.

Brits with a criminal record should not be deterred from applying for ETIAS, as only those individuals considered a threat to the public will be denied entry.

Travel to France from the UK

Entering France from the UK will be quick and easy with ETIAS. All you’ll need to do is present your passport to a border officer who will scan it and validate your visa waiver.

There are many ways to travel from the UK to France. Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular methods:

Travel from the UK to France by ferry

Ferries are a traditional and popular way to travel between the UK and France, especially if you're travelling with a vehicle.

Major ferry routes connect ports such as Dover (UK) and Calais (France), as well as Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth in the UK with various ports in France including Calais, Dunkirk, Cherbourg, and St. Malo.

Travel by the Eurostar train

The Eurostar is a high-speed train service that operates through the Channel Tunnel between London St Pancras International and Paris Gare du Nord.

This option is popular for those who prefer a fast and efficient journey between city centres, with travel times typically around 2 hours and 15 minutes from London to Paris.

Additionally, the Eurostar also connects London with other French cities such as Lille and Lyon.

Fly from the UK to France

Major airports in the UK like London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester offer frequent flights to cities such as Paris (Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports), Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Toulouse.

Flight duration can vary depending on the route and airline, with shorter flight times often comparable to Eurostar travel, though additional time for airport check-in and security procedures should be considered.

Drive from the UK to France

For those who prefer the flexibility of having their own vehicle, driving from the UK to France is an option. This involves either taking a ferry across the English Channel or using the Channel Tunnel for a Eurotunnel Shuttle service with your vehicle.

Travel to France from the UK by coach

Several coach and bus companies offer budget-friendly travel options between the UK and France. These services typically operate from major cities such as London and Paris, with longer travel times compared to trains or flights.

Health requirements in France for UK citizens

UK citizens planning a visit to France from the UK are advised to take out health insurance to cover the costs of medical treatment should it be required during the trip.

Whilst no specific vaccinations are needed for France, foreigners should be up-to-date with routine vaccines.

Brits carrying prescription medicine from the UK to France should ensure that it is kept in its original packaging and clearly labelled.

Embassy of France in United Kingdom
58 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JT, United Kingdom

(+44) 20 7073 1000
Embassy of United Kingdom in France
35 rue du Faubourg St Honoré, 75383 Paris Cedex 08, France

(+33) 1 44 51 31 00

france.enquiries@fco.gov.uk