Schengen area: what are the entry and movement conditions?

Verified 09 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

L'Schengen area is an area of free movement without internal border controls and with a common external border (i.e. between a Member State of Schengen and a country which is not part of Schengen). The conditions for crossing borders differ according to your nationality. We're doing an update on the regulations.

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

The rules of entry and circulation differ depending on who you are European or a non-European national:

European

  • To enter the Schengen area: you can cross the border on presentation of a national identity card or passport valid. However, if your presence constitutes a threat to public order or security, you may be refused entry. You will then be subject to a administrative inadmissibility.
  • To move around the Schengen area: you're not suffering no control.

Non-European

The regulations vary depending on whether you want to enter or travel within the Schengen area:

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To enter the Schengen area

The situation differs depending on whether or not you have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country:

You do not have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

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
  • Have a valid visa issued by a country Schengen, if your nationality so requires (a online service lets you know)
  • 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 permit (or a long-stay visa valid for 1 year or more) issued by a Schengen Member State, you are allowed to enter and transit through the territory of the other Member States to join the one who issued your residence permit.

You must have a passport valid and your residence permit.

To move around the Schengen area

The situation differs depending on whether or not you have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country:

You do not have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

You're not under control. However, if you enter France, you must declare your entry to the territory 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, customs or 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
You have a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

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

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

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

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

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