Schengen Area: What are the entry and movement conditions?
Verified 16 September 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Covid-19: international travel under conditions
Published on 21 February 2022
Due to the health situation associated with Covid-19, international travel is subject to certain conditions. Many countries are taking measures to restrict the movement of travellers.
It is therefore essential to be informed before considering any move.
Visit diplomacy.gov.fr for more information country information and frequently asked questions .
TheSchengen 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 part of Schengen). The border crossing conditions vary depending on your nationality.
Member countries of Schengen Area are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
The rules differ according to you European or a national of a non-European country.
European
- To travel within the Schengen area: you do not suffer no control.
- To enter or leave the Schengen area: you can cross the border with a national identity card or a passport valid. But be aware that your presence should not constitute a threat to public order. Otherwise, you will be denied entry: you will be placed in a waiting area and then returned.
Other
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To travel within the Schengen area
You do not 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 by 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 report your arrival at a police station or a police force without delay.
Your entry declaration is marked on your passport, with the date indicated.
You must present it at any request of the police.
Who shall I contact
You have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country
If you have a residence card or 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 do not have a residence permit
Welcome certificate
€32.50
Proof of booking a hotel room
€65
No 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 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
The Allo Public Service is currently disrupted. We apologise for this.
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Public Service.
Cost: Free
The informants who answer you are from the Ministry of the Interior.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
The service is available at the following times:
- Monday: 8:30 to 17:30
- Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Thursday: 8:30 to 17:30
- Friday: 1 pm to 4:15 pm
- Regulation of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)Articles 5 to 7, 10 and 11
- Regulation of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals are subject or not to Schengen visas
- Convention of 19 June 1990 implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985Article 22
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Article R313-1Documents relating to the object and conditions of stay
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Article R313-2Livelihood documents
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Article R313-3Medical and hospital expenses
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Articles R313-4 to R313-5Repatriation guarantees
- Code of Entry and Residence and Right of Asylum: Articles R621-2 to R621-4Declaration of entry into French territory
- Order of 9 March 1995 concerning the declaration of entry into the territory
- Schengen Area mapAll Europe
- Presentation of the Schengen area (PDF - 2.5 MB)European Commission