🇫🇷FRANCE

🇩🇪GERMANY (SCHENGEN)FR-DE

Do France passport holders need a visa to visit Germany (Schengen)?

Q: Can I travel with just my French ID card instead of a passport?

Yes. A valid French national identity card is accepted for travel to Germany; a passport is also valid but not required.

Q: Do French citizens need ETIAS to enter Germany?

No. ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt non-EU travellers. EU citizens, including the French, are exempt.

Q: Is there a 90-day limit on my stay?

No. The Schengen 90/180 limit applies to non-EU visitors. EU citizens may stay up to three months with no conditions and longer if they register their residence.

Q: Do I need to register with German authorities?

Only if you stay longer than three months. For short tourist visits no registration is needed. For longer stays, complete an Anmeldung at the local registration office.

Q: Are there border checks between France and Germany?

Normally no systematic checks at internal Schengen borders, but Germany has at times run temporary spot checks. Always carry valid ID.

No visa. As an EU citizen, a French passport holder enjoys full freedom of movement and can enter Germany for tourism or any short visit using only a valid passport or French national ID card. France and Germany are both EU member states and part of the Schengen Area, so a French ordinary passport holder needs no visa to visit Germany. Under EU freedom of movement (Directive 2004/38/EC, implemented in Germany by the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), French nationals may enter and stay in Germany for up to three months with only a valid passport or national identity card. There are no entry conditions, no fees, and no ETIAS requirement — ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt non-EU nationals, not to EU citizens. Internal Schengen borders are normally control-free, though Germany has at times reinstated temporary spot checks, so carry valid ID at all times. For stays beyond three months (work, study, or residence), French nationals must register their address with the local registration office (Anmeldung). The 90/180 Schengen short-stay limit and the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration do NOT apply to EU citizens like the French.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

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.

France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (EU freedom of movement)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days with no conditions; unlimited with registration

per entry

Entries

Multiple / unrestricted

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 0

consular fee only

Processing time

None - no application required

standard track

Validity

Tied to validity of passport or national ID card

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your travel document is valid

Carry a valid French passport or French national identity card (carte nationale d'identite). Either is accepted for entry to Germany. The document only needs to be valid on the day of travel.

· Passport or national ID· Must be valid on travel day

/02

Book travel - no visa step needed

Book flights, trains, or drive freely. There is no visa application, no form, and no fee. Germany is a Schengen neighbour of France, so internal borders are normally open.

· No visa application· No fee

/03

Cross the border

At internal Schengen borders there are usually no systematic checks. Germany may run temporary spot checks; if stopped, simply present your passport or ID card. EES biometric registration does not apply to EU citizens.

· Spot checks possible· EES does not apply to EU citizens

/04

Stay up to three months freely

You may live in Germany for up to three months with no conditions beyond holding valid ID. The Schengen 90/180 rule does not restrict EU citizens.

· Up to 3 months, no conditions

/05

If you settle for work, study, or longer residence, register your address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office (Buergeramt/Einwohnermeldeamt) within the required period. They forward data to the foreigners authority.

· Anmeldung at Buergeramt· Only for stays over 3 months

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

Valid French passport OR French national ID card

required

Document valid on the day of travel

required

Return or onward travel booking (optional, for convenience)

optional

Proof of accommodation (optional)

optional

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical cover

recommended

Travel/medical insurance (optional within EU)

optional

Sufficient funds for your stay

recommended

Anmeldung (address registration) - only if staying over 3 months

conditional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist/short-stay visa feeEUR 0No visa required for EU citizens

ETIAS authorisationEUR 0Not applicable - ETIAS does not apply to EU citizens

EES registrationEUR 0Not applicable - EES does not apply to EU citizens

Total estimateEUR 0 — EUR 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

No processing required

Immediate

As an EU citizen you may travel to Germany at any time with no advance application, authorisation, or waiting period. Just carry valid ID.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

EU freedom of movement

France and Germany are both EU member states; French citizens have the treaty right to travel, live, and work in Germany.

High

/02

Schengen Area membership

Both countries are in the Schengen Area, so internal border checks are normally absent.

High

/03

Valid ID accepted

A French national identity card is sufficient; a passport is not strictly required for EU-internal travel.

High

/04

ETIAS exemption

ETIAS targets visa-exempt non-EU nationals only; EU citizens such as the French never need it.

Medium

/05

Temporary border checks

Germany has periodically reinstated temporary internal border spot checks, so carry valid ID even though no visa is needed.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Border control

Carry your Schengen visa, itinerary, insurance, funds proof, and return ticket. Border officers can ask for the same evidence used for the visa.

/02

90/180 tracking

Your allowed stay is counted across the whole Schengen Area, not only Germany. Keep entry and exit dates recorded.

/03

Connectivity

EU roaming works for EU SIMs. Tourist SIMs and eSIMs are available at airports, stations, and electronics shops.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

France to Germany route verified

Confirmed via the European Commission, German Federal Ministry of the Interior, and EU sources that French citizens travel visa-free to Germany under EU freedom of movement, using a valid passport or national ID card. Verified that ETIAS and EES do not apply to EU citizens.

/09 — The questions