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Australia to France visa requirements

No visa is required. Australian ordinary passport holders can visit France visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen short-stay rules. As of 20 June 2026, Australian ordinary passport holders do not need a visa to visit France for tourism or short visits. France is part of the Schengen Area, so Australians enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period — this 90-day limit is cumulative across all Schengen countries, not per country. The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area. Since 10 April 2026, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has been operational at all Schengen external borders, meaning Australians now register biometric details such as fingerprints and a facial photo on first entry instead of having their passports manually stamped. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) — a paid online pre-travel authorisation (EUR 20, valid up to 3 years or until the passport expires) — is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026 with transitional and grace periods; it is NOT yet required as of this research date. Travellers should monitor official EU channels for the confirmed ETIAS start date. For stays longer than 90 days, or for work or study, a national long-stay visa from a French consulate is required.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20
Visa type
Visa-free (Schengen short stay)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries within the 90/180 limit
from issue date
Visa fee
AUD 0 / EUR 0 (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None — no application required
standard track
Validity
Tied to passport; 90/180 rolling limit applies
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport meets the rules
Ensure your Australian passport was issued within the last 10 years and is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
· 10-year rule· 3-month validity
/02
Track your Schengen days
Count all days spent in any Schengen country in the previous 180 days. Your France stay plus any other Schengen time must not exceed 90 days.
· 90/180 rule
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Carry proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds, and travel/medical insurance. French Border Police may ask for these on arrival.
· Carry on arrival
/04
Complete EES biometric registration on arrival
Since 10 April 2026, EES registers short-stay non-EU travellers at Schengen external borders. Be ready to provide biometric details such as fingerprints and a facial photo at your first entry point.
· EES since Apr 2026
/05
Check ETIAS status before you fly
ETIAS is expected to launch in Q4 2026 and is not required as of 20 June 2026. Verify on the official EU travel portal whether it is required for your travel date; if so, apply online and pay the EUR 20 fee before departure.
· Q4 2026 expected
/06
Enter France and stay within the limit
Pass immigration as a visa-free visitor and depart before your 90-day allowance expires to avoid overstay penalties.
· Avoid overstay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
Australia -> France · Visa-free (Schengen short stay)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredAustralian passport issued within the last 10 years
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredPassport valid 3+ months beyond departure from Schengen
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking / host address)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredDays counted to stay within 90/180 limit
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalETIAS authorisation (only if required at travel date)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RequiredEES biometric registration completed on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: Smartraveller (Australian Government) - Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area (accessed 2026-06-20)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen short-stay visa feeEUR 0Not applicable — Australians are visa-exempt for short stays
ETIAS authorisation (when launched)EUR 20Expected Q4 2026; free for under-18s and over-70s; not required as of 20 June 2026
EES biometric registrationEUR 0No charge; biometrics captured at the border
Total estimateAUD 0AUD 0incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism and short holidays
Visa-free entry for up to 90 days covers sightseeing, holidays and short leisure trips across France and the Schengen Area.
High
/02
Visiting friends and family
Australians can stay with friends or relatives in France visa-free within the 90/180 limit.
High
/03
Short business trips
Meetings, conferences and negotiations are permitted visa-free for short stays (not paid local employment).
Medium
/04
Transit through France
Australians transit Schengen airports and continue onward without a transit visa.
Medium
/05
Cultural or educational short courses
Brief courses under 90 days are generally fine visa-free; longer study needs a long-stay visa.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-20
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-20
Codex re-verified Australia to France Schengen entry
Rechecked Smartraveller, France-Visas, France Diplomatie and official EU Travel Europe sources; added checked-date, refreshed lastVerifiedAt, confirmed visa-free 90/180 short stays, passport validity, EES live/free border registration, ETIAS not yet required but expected in Q4 2026, and the EUR 20 ETIAS fee.
2026-05-30
Australia to France route verified
Confirmed via Australian Government Smartraveller and the EU Travel Europe portal that Australian ordinary passport holders remain visa-free for short stays in France (Schengen 90/180). Noted EES biometric registration operational since 10 April 2026 and ETIAS expected to launch in Q4 2026 (not yet required).
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Australians need a visa to visit France for tourism?
No. Australian passport holders can enter France visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, visiting family, or short business.
How long can I stay in France without a visa?+
Do I need ETIAS now?+
What is the EES and does it affect me?+
What passport validity do I need?+
What if I want to stay longer than 90 days?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Australia passport

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