France entry requirements for Ukraine passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Ukrainians can travel to France without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, and family visits. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for your entire stay in France. France does not require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date, but your airline might enforce it — check with them before you fly. | 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. Have a printed or digital copy ready showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from your host with their address and contact info. Officers at Paris CDG and Orly sometimes ask for it, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Have bank statements or a credit card ready. French immigration expects roughly €65 per day of stay — if you're staying 10 days, that's about €650. They rarely ask, but it's a quick way to get waved through if they do. | Recommended |
Passport Validity is Strict
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter France. If it expires sooner, you may be denied boarding by the airline or entry by French border police. Check your passport well before booking flights.
Schengen Area Rules Apply
France is part of the Schengen Area. Your 90-day visa-free stay applies across all 27 Schengen countries. Days spent in Germany, Italy, Spain, etc., all count toward the same 90-day limit.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare Your Documents
Before you travel, gather your passport (valid 6+ months), return ticket, accommodation booking, and travel insurance. Keep digital copies on your phone and paper backups in your carry-on.
2
Arrive at the Airport in Ukraine
At check-in, the airline will verify your passport validity and may ask for your return ticket. They are responsible for ensuring you meet entry requirements.
3
Passport Control in France
At a French airport (e.g., Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Nice), join the 'Non-EU' queue. Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying, and return ticket. Answer clearly and briefly.
4
Receive Entry Stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. This stamp records the start of your 90-day visa-free period. Check the stamp before leaving the counter.
5
Collect Luggage and Exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel for goods under €430 (or €150 for under-15s). Red channel if you have items to declare.
Download France Entry Checklist
PDF · Ukraine Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay beyond visa-free period. Apply at French consulate.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1–5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Same fee as single entry; allows multiple trips. Requires strong travel history.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay1 year (renewable)
Validity1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires specific sponsorship.
work visa
French Work Visa (Salarié)
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in France. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows family reunification.
student visa
French Student Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant)
1 year, renewable up to 5 years
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a French educational institution. Allows part-time work (up to 964 hours/year).
digital nomad visa
French Digital Nomad Visa (Passport Talent – Économie Créative)
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For remote workers with proof of income (at least €2,500/month) and health insurance. Requires a French address.
retirement visa
French Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income (at least €1,200/month) and private health insurance. No work allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension costVisa-free stay cannot be extended; must leave Schengen area after 90 days. | N/A |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays up to 90 days; required if you need a visa or want to stay longer. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; allows multiple entries within validity period. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayFines vary by Schengen country; maximum cap may apply. Avoid overstay. | €30–€50 per day (estimated) |
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
Ukraine passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through French airports, provided they stay in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- If you need to enter France (e.g., to collect luggage or change airports), a Schengen visa is required.
Transit hubsCharles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) · Orly Airport (ORY) · Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Health & vaccines for France
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare in France; risk in wooded areas of eastern France. Consider vaccination if hiking.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard hygiene is good; risk is minimal for most travellers.
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 extension or residence permit issues; appointments required.
Marseille
Préfecture des Bouches-du-Rhône – Service des Étrangers
Place Félix Baret, 13001 Marseille
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:00
Handles long-stay visa and residence permit applications.
Practical information for UA 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
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to France — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or family visits only. You cannot take paid employment. For work, you need a work visa or permit.
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies to the entire Schengen area, so days spent in other Schengen countries count toward the 90-day limit.
Generally no. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, force majeure). You must apply at the local préfecture before your 90 days expire. Overstaying can lead to fines or a re-entry ban.
You risk a fine (up to €750), a deportation order, and a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. It's best to leave before your 90 days are up.
If you are transiting through a French airport and staying airside (not passing through passport control), you do not need a visa. If you need to enter France (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), you need a visa or visa-free entry.
Always carry your passport. French police can ask for ID at any time. A copy of your passport (digital or paper) is not a substitute for the original.
No. You need a valid biometric international passport (with a chip) to enter France. Internal passports are not accepted for international travel.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.