France is part of the EU and part of the Schengen zone which includes all the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia (January 2023), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Members of the EU and Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway may enter and circulate freely in France without any visa requirements.
Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa for a short-stay (up to 90 days in a six-month period)in the Schengen zone: Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Bosnia*, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Ireland, Israel, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Serbia*, Seychelles, Taiwan (passport bearing identity card number), Uruguay, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Macau.
*bearers of biometric passports only
EU residents who are not part of the Schengen zone must show a passport upon entry to the Schengen zone and then may circulate freely. Nationals of the above countries have their passports stamped upon entry to the Schengen zone and then may circulate freely without passport controls to a maximum of 90 days.
What does this mean for visitors to the French Riviera? The eastern border of the French Riviera is with Monaco and Italy. There are no border controls at road, bus or train crossings between Nice and Monaco or Italy and you will not be obliged to produce your passport.
Be aware that in France you are obligated to carry a passport or identity card. The police can demand to see it if you are stopped.
For a clear discussion of Schengen zone requirements, click here.
As a traveller, you have the right to bring in goods duty-free valued at €430 if you arrive by plane or boat, €300 if arriving by road or train, €150 if under 15 years old.
Do you risk running into a customs check returning from Italy? It happens. Many French people go to Ventimiglia or San Remo to shop for clothes and liquor. There has also been a thriving market in these towns for counterfeit goods such as designer handbags, "Rolex" watches etc. Although the market is nowhere near as prevalent as it once was, customs officials are still on the watch for counterfeit products. Fines are steep.
Hi! I'm Jeanne and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City. More about me here.
