Travel Requirements for US Citizens
Everything you need to know before traveling to France in 2026
Quick Summary
- Valid US passport required (3+ months beyond departure date)
- ETIAS travel authorization required starting 2025
Passport Requirements
3-Month Validity Rule
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area. This is a strict requirement enforced at border control.
If we depart France on July 20, 2026, your passport must be valid until at least October 20, 2026. We recommend having validity through at least January 2027 to be safe.
If your passport expires within a year of the trip, consider renewing it now. US passport renewal currently takes 8-11 weeks for routine processing, or 5-7 weeks for expedited service.
ETIAS Travel Authorization
Starting in 2025, US citizens will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before traveling to France and other Schengen countries.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a new electronic travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers visiting Europe. It's similar to the US ESTA system for visitors to America. ETIAS is NOT a visa—it's a simpler pre-screening that allows you to travel visa-free.
How to Apply
- Visit the official ETIAS website (etias.ec.europa.eu) when applications open
- Complete the online application with your passport and travel details
- Pay the €20 fee with a credit or debit card
- Receive approval via email (usually within minutes, but allow up to 72 hours)
Only apply through the official EU website. There are many unofficial sites that charge excessive fees for the same service. The official fee is only €20.
Apply at least 72 hours before your flight, though we recommend applying 2-4 weeks ahead to allow time for any issues. Your ETIAS will be valid for 3 years, so you can apply as soon as the system is available.
Safety & Common Scams
France is generally very safe for tourists, but like any popular destination, city centers have pickpockets and scam artists who target visitors. Being aware of common tactics will help you avoid becoming a target.
Pickpocketing Hotspots
Pickpockets operate in crowded areas where tourists are distracted. Stay especially alert in these locations:
- Metro stations, train platforms, and buses (especially during rush hour)
- Tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and around Sacré-Cœur
- Outdoor café terraces, especially when bags are placed on chairs or the ground
- Busy markets, festivals, and street performances where crowds gather
Common Scams to Watch For
These scams have been operating in French cities for years. Knowing what to expect makes them easy to avoid:
The Petition/Charity Scam
Groups (often young women) approach you with a clipboard asking you to sign a petition for a charity. While you're distracted signing, an accomplice pickpockets you—or they demand a "donation" after you sign.
Response: Simply say "Non, merci" and keep walking. Don't stop or engage.The Friendship Bracelet Scam
Common near Sacré-Cœur in Paris. Someone ties a bracelet on your wrist while chatting, then demands payment. They can be aggressive if you refuse.
Response: Keep your hands in your pockets and firmly say "No" while walking past. Don't let them touch you.The Gold Ring Scam
Someone "finds" a gold ring on the ground near you and offers it to you. They then ask for money as a "finder's fee" or for good luck. The ring is worthless brass.
Response: Ignore them completely and walk away. Don't pick up the ring or engage.Three-Card Monte / Shell Games
Street gambling games set up on cardboard boxes. The game is rigged—"winners" you see are accomplices. You will lose your money, and the crowd may include pickpockets.
Response: Never play. Walk past without stopping to watch.Fake Police
Fake "police" may approach you and ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills, then steal from it while "inspecting" your money.
Response: Real police won't check your wallet on the street. Ask for badge ID and say you'll go to the nearest police station.Unlicensed Taxis
Unlicensed taxi drivers at airports and train stations overcharge dramatically, take unnecessarily long routes, or may claim the meter is broken.
Response: Only use official taxi stands or apps like Uber/Bolt. Official Paris taxis have a light on the roof and a meter.- Use a money belt or hidden pouch for your passport and extra cash
- Keep your phone in a front pocket or zipped bag—never in a back pocket
- At cafés, loop your bag strap around your leg or chair leg
- Be extra cautious when someone creates a distraction or bumps into you
- Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from the original
This information is current as of early 2026. Travel requirements can change—always verify with official sources (travel.state.gov and the French embassy) closer to your departure date.
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