Visa Requirements for Australians Visiting Paris in 2026
France is a founding member of the Schengen Area and Australians can visit Paris and all of France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Here is what Australian travellers need to know about entry requirements for Paris in 2026.
Visa-Free Schengen Entry
No advance visa is required for Australians visiting France. The Schengen 90/180 rule applies to all 27 Schengen countries combined — not France alone. Days spent in Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and other Schengen countries all count toward the same 90-day total. Use the European Commission's Schengen calculator at ec.europa.eu/home-affairs to track your remaining days if you are on a multi-country European trip that includes France.
Passport Requirements
Your Australian passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area (the safe standard is 6 months). The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and have at least one blank page.
ETIAS Pre-Authorisation
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) has been delayed from its original 2024 launch and may or may not be in operation by the time you travel in 2026. When launched, it will require a pre-travel online application (approximately EUR 7, valid 3 years) for all visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen Area. Check travel-europe.europa.eu/etias and DFAT Smartraveller for the current status before booking travel to Paris.
Charles de Gaulle Airport — CDG Entry
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is France's largest international airport and one of the world's busiest. Most Australian routing to Paris uses connecting hubs in the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) or Southeast Asia (Singapore, Bangkok). CDG has multiple terminals (Terminal 2 handles most long-haul international arrivals); non-EU arrivals (including Australians) pass through border control in the arrivals hall. CDG border control can have significant queuing during peak periods — particularly in summer and at the start of major school holiday periods. Allow 1-2 hours for arrivals processing at CDG during peak travel times.
Long Stays in France
Australians wanting to stay in France beyond the 90-day Schengen limit can apply for a Long-Stay Visa (visa de long séjour, VLS) from the French Embassy in Australia before departure. France has specific visa categories for tourism (technically not available beyond 90 days), study, work, and family reunion. For Australians considering longer-term stays in France (popular among Australian retirees and those working remotely), a visit to the French Embassy or Consulate and careful planning of the visa category is required well in advance of departure.
Where to Check Current Requirements
- DFAT Smartraveller: smartraveller.gov.au (France entry requirements)
- French Embassy Canberra: au.ambafrance.org
- ETIAS: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
- Australian Embassy Paris: +33 1 40 59 33 00 (4 rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris)
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