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Schengen area: what are the entry and movement conditions?

Verified 16 September 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Covid-19: international travel with conditions

Published on 21 February 2022

Due to the COVID-19 health situation, international travel is taking place under certain conditions. Many countries are taking measures to limit the movement of travelers.

It is therefore essential to obtain information before considering any travel.

Visit diplomatie.gouv.fr for country information and answers to frequently asked questions.

L'Schengen area is an area of free movement without internal border controls and with a common external border (i.e. between a Schengen and a State not forming part of Schengen). The conditions for crossing borders vary according to your nationality.

Member countries of the Schengen area Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The rules differ depending on who you are European or a national of a non-European country.

European

  • To move while staying in the Schengen area: you're not suffering no control.
  • To enter or leave the Schengen area: you can cross the border on presentation of a national identity card or passport valid. But know that your presence must not be a threat to public order. Otherwise, you will be refused entry into the territory: you will be placed in a waiting area and then returned.

Other

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To move while staying in the Schengen area

You don't have a residence permit

You're not under control. However, if you enter a Schengen country, you must declare your entry if your nationality is subject to a visa Schengen.

You can check if you need a visa using the Visa Assistant service:

Check if you need a visa - Visa Assistant

You must report to the border police or, if not, to customs or the gendarmerie at the border.

You can also immediately declare your entry near the border to a police station or gendarmerie brigade.

Your entry declaration is marked with a stamp on your passport, with a date.

You must submit it at any request from law enforcement.

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
You have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

If you have a residence card or a long-stay visa valid for 1 year or more, you can cross the border on presentation of a passport valid and your residence permit.

To enter or leave the Schengen area

You don't have a residence permit

You must complete all of the following conditions when crossing the border:

  • Have a passport (or other travel document) issued for less than 10 years and valid for at least 3 months longer than your planned departure date
  • If your nationality requires it, have a valid visa issued by a country Schengen
  • Justify the purpose and conditions of your stay (private or business trip, acceptance certificate or proof of accommodation, repatriation, etc.)
  • Have insurance covering medical and hospital expenses, including social assistance, for the care you could receive in France (the minimum coverage requested is €30,000)
  • Not to be reported for the purposes of non-admission in the Schengen Information System
  • Do not pose a threat to the public order, internal security, public health or international relations of any of the countries Schengen
  • Have sufficient resources (cash, bank cards, etc.) or be able to acquire them legally (professional activity, etc.)

The level of resources required per day of stay in France varies depending on the proof of accommodation:

  • If you have a certificate of welcome: €32.50
  • If you have proof of booking a hotel room: €65
  • If you do not have proof of booking a hotel room: €120
You have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

If you have a residence card (or a long-stay visa valid for 1 year or more), you are allowed to enter and transit through the territory of the States Schengen to reach the country that issued your residence card.

You must have a passport valid and your residence permit.

You don't have to justify your livelihood.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.

    Cost: free service

    The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.

    Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.

    The service is available at the following times:

    • Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m