Do France passport holders need a visa to visit UA?
French ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for short tourist visits to Ukraine. They may enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Ukraine is not in the Schengen area, so ETIAS does not apply. Note: under ongoing martial law, Ukrainian airspace is closed, so entry is by land (or rail) only, and mandatory medical insurance plus proof of funds are required at the border. As an EU member state citizen, a holder of an ordinary French passport enjoys visa-free access to Ukraine for short stays. The Ukrainian visa-free regime permits a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, family visits, short business trips, and cultural or sporting events. No advance application, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival is needed for this purpose. Ukraine is NOT part of the Schengen area and is not in the EU, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS authorization are irrelevant to entering Ukraine itself. The single most important caveat is the security situation: Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022, and the airspace remains closed to civil aviation. All travelers therefore enter overland, typically by train or bus via Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova. Border guards require a valid passport, mandatory medical insurance covering the stay (war-risk cover strongly advised), evidence of sufficient funds (about USD 60 per day), and may ask for confirmation of the purpose of the visit. Foreign governments, including France, advise against travel to Ukraine; check the latest France Diplomatie advisory before going. For stays beyond 90 days or for work, study, or residence, a type D long-stay visa and residence permit are required.
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→