France Visa-Free Countries

If you’re lucky enough to hold a French passport, you’ve already got one of the most powerful travel documents in the world. As we speak, your passport opens doors to roughly 189 countries without any visa stress.

But like I always say, not every destination is frictionless. Some countries will welcome you with open arms and a simple stamp on arrival, while others still require a bit of paperwork ahead of time.

In this article, I break it all down for you – from visa-free countries (with stay limits) to places where you can get a visa on arrival or online to the few destinations that still need advance visas.

Visa Not Required (With Stay Duration) – 111 countries

If you hold a French passport, you can visit over 100 countries without needing a visa at all. In most cases, you get 90 to 180 days. This way more than enough time to explore, work remotely, or just chill. Think about hopping to Japan for sushi, or spending the summer wandering through Canada or Colombia.

Albania – 90 days
Andorra – 90 days
Antigua and Barbuda – 180 days
Argentina – 90 days
Armenia – 180 days
Australia – 90 days (with ETA)
Austria – 90 days
Bahamas – 90 days
Barbados – 180 days
Belarus – 30 days
Belgium – 90 days
Belize – 90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 90 days
Botswana – 90 days
Brazil – 90 days
Brunei – 90 days
Bulgaria – 90 days
Canada – 180 days
Chile – 90 days
Colombia – 180 days
Costa Rica – 90 days
Croatia – 90 days
Cyprus – 90 days
Czech Republic – 90 days
Denmark – 90 days
Dominica – 180 days
Dominican Republic – 90 days
Ecuador – 90 days
El Salvador – 90 days
Estonia – 90 days
Eswatini – 30 days
Fiji – 120 days
Finland – 90 days
France – (of course)
Georgia – 360 days
Germany – 90 days
Greece – 90 days
Grenada – 90 days
Guatemala – 90 days
Honduras – 90 days
Hong Kong – 90 days
Hungary – 90 days
Iceland – 90 days
Indonesia – 30 days
Ireland – 90 days
Israel – 90 days
Italy – 90 days
Jamaica – 90 days
Japan – 90 days
Kazakhstan – 30 days
Kiribati – 120 days
South Korea – 90 days
Kosovo – 90 days
Kyrgyzstan – 60 days
Latvia – 90 days
Lesotho – 90 days
Liechtenstein – 90 days
Lithuania – 90 days
Luxembourg – 90 days
Macau – 90 days
Malaysia – 90 days
Malta – 90 days
Mauritius – 90 days
Mexico – 180 days
Moldova – 90 days
Monaco – 90 days
Mongolia – 30 days
Montenegro – 90 days
Morocco – 90 days
Namibia – 90 days
Netherlands – 90 days
New Zealand – 90 days
Nicaragua – 90 days
North Macedonia – 90 days
Norway – 90 days
Panama – 180 days
Paraguay – 90 days
Peru – 180 days
Philippines – 30 days
Poland – 90 days
Portugal – 90 days
Qatar – 90 days
Romania – 90 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis – 90 days
Saint Lucia – 90 days
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 90 days
San Marino – 90 days
Serbia – 90 days
Singapore – 90 days
Slovakia – 90 days
Slovenia – 90 days
South Africa – 90 days
Spain – 90 days
Suriname – 90 days
Sweden – 90 days
Switzerland – 90 days
Taiwan – 90 days
Thailand – 30 days
Trinidad and Tobago – 90 days
Tunisia – 90 days
Turkey – 90 days
Ukraine – 90 days
United Arab Emirates – 90 days
United Kingdom – 180 days
United States – 90 days (with ESTA)
Uruguay – 90 days
Uzbekistan – 30 days
Vanuatu – 30 days
Vatican City – 90 days
Venezuela – 90 days
Vietnam – 45 days

Visa on Arrival – 25 countries

For some destinations, you don’t need to sort out a visa before you go. All you have to do is land and get it at the airport. This applies to places like Nepal, where French hikers flock to trek the Himalayas, or Maldives, where couples escape for their honeymoon. It’s easy and very quick. You show up, fill a form, pay a small fee, and that’s it – you’re in.

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Comoros
Egypt
Guyana
Iran
Jordan
Laos
Lebanon
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mozambique
Nepal
Palau
Rwanda
Samoa
Senegal
Seychelles
Solomon Islands
Tajikistan
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tuvalu
Zambia

eVisa – 31 countries

These countries require a visa, but the process is digital, and usually takes just a few minutes. You don’t need to go to an embassy. You apply online from from the comfort of your office or home. Planning a trip to India for Diwali? Or a safari in Kenya? An eVisa gets you there. That being said, I will strongly suggest that you try your best to apply a few days in advance so you don’t get stuck.

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Benin
Bhutan
Cameroon
Côte d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Guinea
India
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Madagascar
Malawi
Myanmar
Namibia
Nigeria
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Tanzania
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Zimbabwe

Visa Available Both on Arrival or Online – 5 countries

Some destinations give French passport holders both options: apply online before you travel or just get your visa when you land. This flexibility is super helpful if you’re traveling on a whim. For example, you could decide last minute to visit Cambodia or Vietnam and still be fine. Whether you like to plan or prefer spontaneous travel, these countries have your back.

Cambodia
Iraq
Laos
Tajikistan
Vietnam

Visa Required – 21 countries

Even with a strong French passport, there are a few places where you must get a visa in advance. These are usually countries with stricter entry rules, like China, Algeria, or Russia. The process might involve embassy appointments and some paperwork. So if you’re a French passport holder planning a trip to Cuba or Iran, my advice to you is that you give yourself extra time to prepare

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Congo (Brazzaville and Kinshasa)
Cuba
Eritrea
Gambia
Ghana
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Niger
North Korea
Syria
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Venezuela (for long stays beyond tourist visa-free duration)

French Passport Travel FAQs

How powerful is the French passport in 2025?

It is extremely powerful. In 2025, the French passport was ranked the third most powerful passport in the world by the Henley Passport Index. This passport currently grants its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries. You can travel across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and parts of Africa without too much paperwork.

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

Yes, but it’s easy. As a French citizen, you can enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, all you need to do is apply for an ESTA online before your trip. It’s valid for stays up to 90 days.

What’s the difference between visa on arrival and eVisa?

With visa on arrival, French passport holders get the visa when they land at the airport of their destination. With an eVisa, they have to apply online before the trip, and usually receive a digital approval they’ll have to show to immigration upon arrival. Both are easier than applying at embassies.

Can I travel to the UK without a visa?

Yes, you can visit the United Kingdom visa-free for up to 180 days. This applies to tourism, business trips, or visiting friends. Just carry your valid French passport.

Are there any countries where I still need a traditional visa?

Yes. Countries like China, Algeria, Russia, and Iran still require French citizens to apply for a visa in advance. This is usually at an embassy or consulate. Processing times vary, so plan early.

How long can I stay in most visa-free countries?

In most visa-free destinations, French citizens can stay up to 90 days. Some countries like Mexico, Canada, or Barbados offer longer stays – up to 180 days. Always check before you go.

What happens if I overstay my visa-free period?

Overstaying can result in fines, bans, or deportation, depending on the country. Even a few days can cause problems, so always respect the visa-free stay limits.

Do French citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes, they do. But again the process is simple. You’ll need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) online before flying to Australia. It’s valid for short visits of up to 90 days.