France entry requirements for Romania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Romanian passport holders can travel to France for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in 2026 without a visa. This covers tourism, business meetings, or visiting family — no prior paperwork needed. Just ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in France | Your Romanian passport needs to be valid for the whole time you're in France. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by French law, but some airlines still enforce a 3-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at French airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. A bus, train, or flight ticket out of Schengen works — just have it ready on your phone or printed. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a signed letter from your host with their address and contact info. Border officers rarely ask for it, but if they do, not having one can get you a refusal at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Have a bank statement, credit card, or cash showing at least €65 per day of your stay. Officers at Paris CDG and Orly sometimes ask for this — a recent bank statement on your phone is usually enough. | Recommended |
ETIAS coming soon
From mid-2025, Romanian passport holders will need to register online with ETIAS before travelling to France or any Schengen country. It's a quick, cheap (€7) authorisation valid for 3 years. Keep an eye on official EU sources for the exact launch date.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before departure
Gather your passport (valid 6+ months), return ticket, accommodation booking, and travel insurance. Save digital copies on your phone and print backups.
2
Arrive at the airport in Romania
Check in for your flight. The airline will verify your passport and may ask for your return ticket. No visa is needed, so no extra paperwork.
3
Go through passport control in France
At French airports like Charles de Gaulle or Orly, join the 'All Passports' queue. Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: 'How long are you staying?', 'Where are you staying?', 'What's the purpose of your visit?'. Answer clearly and briefly.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're in France.
Download France Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need to stay longer than visa-free period or have specific travel plans.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months to 5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD) plus processing fee
Ideal for frequent travellers; must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year (renewable)
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, family reunification, or other long-term purposes.
work visa
Travailleur Temporaire (Temporary Worker Visa)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For Romanian citizens with a job offer in France. Requires employer sponsorship and work contract. Allows legal work and residence.
Apply student visa
Visa de Long Séjour pour Études (Long-Stay Student Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For those enrolled in a French educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds. Allows part-time work.
Apply family reunification
Visa de Long Séjour pour Famille (Family Reunification Visa)
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For spouses, children, or parents of French residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and sponsor's resources.
Apply investor visa
Carte de Séjour pour Investisseur (Investor Residence Permit)
4 years, renewable
€200 (~$218 USD) application fee
For those investing at least €300,000 in a French business. Requires business plan and proof of investment. Grants long-term residency.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free entry is not suitable. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity; conditions apply. | €80 (~$87 USD) plus additional processing fee |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90/180-day limit results in fines and possible entry ban. | €30 (~$33 USD) per day, max €3,000 (~$3,270 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through France
No transit visa needed
Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at French airports, as they are EU citizens and can enter the Schengen area freely.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsCharles de Gaulle (CDG) · Orly (ORY) · Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE)
Health & vaccines for France
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in rural/forested areas; vaccination recommended for hikers or campers.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard food safety is high; risk is minimal for most travellers.
Seasonal influenzaModerate risk
Common in winter months; vaccination advised.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Paris
Préfecture de Police de Paris – Service des Étrangers
Place Louis Lépine, 75004 Paris
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visa extensions or residence permit applications; appointments required.
Lyon
Préfecture du Rhône – Service des Étrangers
106 Rue Pierre Corneille, 69003 Lyon
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles long-stay visa renewals and residency matters.
Practical information for RO travellers
Country basics
CapitalParis
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid. IDP recommended for longer stays.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C, E — US plugs (Type A/B) do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe throughout France. Ask for 'une carafe d'eau' for free tap water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to France
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to France — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to the entire Schengen area, not just France. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries, count those days too.
No. Romanian passport holders can travel for business meetings, conferences, or training without a visa, as long as you don't take up employment in France. The 90-day limit still applies.
Generally, no. The 90-day rule is strict for visa-free travel. If you need to stay longer (e.g., for work or study), you must apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit before your 90 days are up. Overstaying can lead to fines or a ban.
You must renew your passport before travelling. French immigration requires at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry. If your passport expires sooner, you risk being denied boarding or entry.
Yes, you need proof that you will leave the Schengen area within 90 days. An onward ticket to a non-Schengen country works just as well as a return ticket to Romania.
It's not legally required for entry, but it's strongly recommended. Medical costs in France can be very high, and your Romanian health insurance may not cover you abroad. Many travellers get a policy for peace of mind.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You may be fined, banned from re-entering the Schengen area for up to 5 years, or both. Always track your days carefully.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.