Do French passport holders need a visa for the USA, UK, and Australia?

French passport holders do NOT need a traditional visa for these countries but require electronic travel authorizations: For the USA - ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) valid for 2 years for stays up to 90 days; For the UK - ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) required from 2025; For Australia - eVisitor or ETA for tourism/business visits up to 3 months. These must be obtained online before travel and are typically approved within minutes to 72 hours.

Can French citizens live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Yes. As EU citizens, French passport holders have full freedom of movement, residence, and work rights across all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (EEA), and Switzerland without requiring work permits or visas. You can stay in another EU country for up to 3 months without registration; for longer stays, you may need to register with local authorities. This right also extends to family members regardless of their nationality.

Is military service mandatory for French passport holders?

No, France abolished mandatory military service in 2001. However, all French citizens (male and female) aged 16-25 must participate in the 'Journée Défense et Citoyenneté' (JDC), formerly called JAPD - a mandatory one-day civic and defense awareness program. Failure to complete JDC can prevent you from taking exams or obtaining a driving license before age 25. Completion certificate is required for administrative procedures until age 25.

Which countries can French passport holders NOT visit or require difficult visas?

French passport holders require traditional visas (often difficult to obtain) for 16 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Eritrea, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Additionally, countries like Russia, India, China (despite recent visa-free pilot), Cuba, and several African nations require e-visas or pre-arranged visas. Some destinations like Syria and Somalia have e-visa options but are not recommended for travel due to safety concerns.

Can I enter China visa-free with a French passport in 2025?

Yes, as of late 2024 and continuing into 2025, French passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 15 days for tourism, business, transit, or family visits. This is part of China's expanded visa-free policy for several European countries. However, this does NOT apply if you plan to work, study, or stay longer than 15 days - in those cases, you must obtain the appropriate visa in advance. Always verify current policies before travel as these can change.

How do I renew my French passport and how long does it take in 2025?

French passport renewal can be done in France at your local town hall (mairie) or online via the ANTS website (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés). Required documents: completed application form, two recent passport photos, proof of identity, proof of address, and old passport. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks in France, but can extend to 6-8 weeks during peak summer periods. For French citizens abroad, apply through your nearest French consulate - processing times vary by location (4-12 weeks). The passport is valid for 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors.

Do I need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, and Brazil with a French passport?

No visa required for these popular destinations: Japan - visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism/business; Thailand - visa-free for up to 60 days (extended from 30 days in 2024); Brazil - visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Other popular visa-free destinations include: Singapore (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Malaysia (90 days), Philippines (30 days), Vietnam (45 days), UAE (90 days), Morocco (90 days), and Turkey (90 days). Always check entry requirements before travel as policies can change.

What are the visa requirements for French passport holders traveling to India and Russia?

Both countries require visas obtained in advance: India - French citizens must apply for an e-Visa online (available for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes) for stays up to 60 days. Processing takes 2-4 business days, costs approximately €25-100 depending on type. Russia - Requires a traditional visa obtained through the Russian consulate or authorized visa centers. You'll need an invitation letter (tourist voucher or business invitation), completed application, passport photos, and proof of travel insurance. Processing takes 5-20 business days. E-visa options exist for certain Russian regions (Far East, Kaliningrad) for up to 16 days.

Can I travel to the USA with a French passport if I've visited Iran, Iraq, or Cuba recently?

If you visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea, or Cuba on/after March 2011 (or held nationality of these countries), you are generally NOT eligible for ESTA and must apply for a B1/B2 visa at a US Embassy instead. However, exceptions exist for diplomatic/military travel or legitimate business in these countries. The visa interview process takes longer (several weeks) and requires additional documentation. Cuba travel after January 2021 may affect eligibility. Always check the US Embassy website or complete the ESTA questionnaire to determine your eligibility before planning travel.

France Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 187 Countries

The France passport ranks 5th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations worldwide. This powerful travel document has consistently maintained a top-10 position since 2006, reaching its peak at rank 1 in 2024 with access to 194 countries. French citizens enjoy exceptional global mobility, making their passport one of the most advantageous for international travel, business, and tourism opportunities across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

187

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for France passport

147

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for French Citizens

Popular destinations where France passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 30 days	TH
United States	Up to 90 days	US
Brazil	Up to 90 days	BR

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for France passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

147 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

25 countries

🔐 ETA Required

15 countries

💻 E-Visa

23 countries

❌ Visa Required

16 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

France's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official France Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

France Diplomatie - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

🔗

France Visa - Official French Visa Website

🔗

Service-Public.fr - Passport Section

🔗

ANTS - National Agency for Secure Documents

🔗

France Diplomatie - Travel Advice

Compare France Passport with Other Passports

See how France's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
France (You are here)	#5	187	94/100	83/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, the French passport ranks 5th globally on the Henley Passport Index with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations. French citizens can travel visa-free to major destinations including the USA (with ESTA), Canada (with eTA), UK (with ETA from 2025), Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and all EU/Schengen countries. Note that France held the #1 position in 2024 with 194 destinations, but rankings fluctuate based on visa policy changes.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover France's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

France Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 187 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

France's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare France Passport with Other Passports

See how France's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
France (You are here)	#5	187	94/100	83/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for France passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for French Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

France's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official France Passport & Travel Resources

Compare France Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the French passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do French passport holders need a visa for the USA, UK, and Australia?

Can French citizens live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Is military service mandatory for French passport holders?

Which countries can French passport holders NOT visit or require difficult visas?

Can I enter China visa-free with a French passport in 2025?

How do I renew my French passport and how long does it take in 2025?

Do I need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, and Brazil with a French passport?

What are the visa requirements for French passport holders traveling to India and Russia?

Can I travel to the USA with a French passport if I've visited Iran, Iraq, or Cuba recently?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for France passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for French Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

France's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official France Passport & Travel Resources

Compare France Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the French passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do French passport holders need a visa for the USA, UK, and Australia?

Can French citizens live and work anywhere in the EU without restrictions?

Is military service mandatory for French passport holders?

Which countries can French passport holders NOT visit or require difficult visas?

Can I enter China visa-free with a French passport in 2025?

How do I renew my French passport and how long does it take in 2025?

Do I need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, and Brazil with a French passport?

What are the visa requirements for French passport holders traveling to India and Russia?

Can I travel to the USA with a French passport if I've visited Iran, Iraq, or Cuba recently?

Explore More Passport Rankings