🇫🇷FRANCE

🏳ROFR-RO

Do France passport holders need a visa to visit RO?

Q: Can I travel to Romania with my French national ID card instead of a passport?

Yes. EU citizens may travel to Romania using either a valid French passport or a valid French national identity card.

Q: Does the 90/180-day Schengen rule apply to me?

No. The 90-days-in-180 short-stay limit applies to visa-exempt non-EU nationals. As an EU citizen you can stay in Romania indefinitely.

Q: Do I need ETIAS or to complete EES registration for Romania?

No. ETIAS (launching late 2026) and the EES biometric system apply to visa-exempt non-EU travelers. EU citizens such as French nationals are exempt from both.

Q: Is Romania part of the Schengen Area now?

Yes. Romania became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025 when internal land border checks were lifted; air and sea checks ended on 31 March 2024.

Q: What if I want to stay in Romania longer than three months?

You may stay without a visa, but if your stay exceeds three months you should register your residence with local Romanian authorities. No visa is ever required.

No visa. As an EU citizen, a French ordinary passport holder enjoys full freedom of movement in Romania and may enter, stay, work, or study with no time limit and no visa. France is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, and Romania became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025 (internal land border checks lifted; air and sea checks were already removed on 31 March 2024). A French national therefore travels to Romania under EU freedom of movement: no visa, no entry fee, and no time limit on the stay. You only need a valid French passport or national identity card. Because France is an EU country, the Schengen 90/180 short-stay rule and the upcoming ETIAS authorization and the EES biometric registration do NOT apply to you — those measures target visa-exempt non-EU nationals only. Internal Schengen borders are normally control-free, but carry a valid passport or ID card, as police identity checks can occur at airports and in border areas.

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

No visa required (EU freedom of movement)

Maximum stay

Unlimited (no 90/180 limit for EU citizens)

per entry

Entries

Multiple / unlimited

from issue date

Visa fee

0 (no visa or entry fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

None — no application required

standard track

Validity

N/A — right of free movement as an EU citizen

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your travel document is valid

Carry a valid French ordinary passport or French national identity card. Either is accepted for travel within the EU/Schengen; a driving licence or bank card does not count as proof of identity.

· Passport or ID card· Must be valid on travel date

/02

Book travel — no visa step needed

As an EU citizen you do not apply for any visa, ETIAS, or entry permit to visit Romania. Book flights, trains, or plan a land crossing freely.

· No visa application· No ETIAS for EU citizens

/03

Travel to Romania

Since 1 January 2025 there are no systematic checks at internal Schengen borders, including Romania's land, air, and sea borders. You generally pass without a stamp.

· Full Schengen member since 2025· Control-free internal borders

/04

Be ready for spot identity checks

Police may carry out identity checks at airports or in border zones. Keep your passport or ID card with you throughout the trip.

· Random checks possible

/05

Stay as long as you need

There is no 90/180-day limit for EU citizens. If you stay longer than three months, you may register your residence with local Romanian authorities, but no visa is ever required.

· No 90/180 cap· Optional registration after 90 days

/06

Return or move on freely

You can leave and re-enter Romania or any other Schengen state without limit on the number of entries.

· Unlimited entries

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Valid French passport OR French national ID card

required

Document valid for the duration of travel

required

Proof of accommodation or onward plans (rarely asked of EU citizens)

optional

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for healthcare access

recommended

Travel or health insurance

recommended

NO Schengen visa needed

not-required

NO ETIAS authorization needed (EU citizens are exempt)

not-required

NO EES biometric registration (applies to non-EU nationals only)

not-required

NO 90/180-day stay tracking

not-required

Residence registration only if staying beyond 3 months

optional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist/short-stay visa fee0No visa required for EU citizens

ETIAS authorization0Not applicable — EU citizens are exempt from ETIAS

EES registration0Not applicable to EU citizens; in any case EES carries no fee

Total estimate0 — 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

No application required

Immediate — travel directly

French citizens enter Romania on the strength of EU freedom of movement with no prior authorization, visa, or registration.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

France is an EU member state

French nationals hold EU citizenship, granting the right to free movement across all EU/Schengen countries without a visa.

High

/02

Romania is a full Schengen member

Romania joined Schengen fully on 1 January 2025, removing internal border checks; air/sea checks were lifted on 31 March 2024.

High

/03

ETIAS and EES do not apply to EU citizens

The upcoming ETIAS authorization and EES biometric system target visa-exempt non-EU travelers, not EU passport holders.

Medium

/04

Passport or national ID card both accepted

EU freedom of movement lets French citizens travel on either document, so no separate visa documentation is ever needed.

Medium

/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

2026-05-30

France to Romania route verified

Confirmed visa-free via EU freedom of movement against the European Commission Schengen accession notice and Your Europe travel-document guidance. Romania full Schengen membership effective 1 January 2025; ETIAS/EES confirmed not applicable to EU citizens.

/09 — The questions