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Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:Ìý

• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read aboutÌýsafety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizenâ€� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô is an Overseas Department of France (‘Département d’Outre-Merâ€�). ÌýThe French authorities set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry dateâ€� at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô is an Overseas Department of France and so is part of the EU.

You can visit ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business. To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, check the on the French visa website.

UK residents of ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

Carry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô. If you’ve applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application. You will have received this as an email.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

You cannot take . There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.ÌýÌý

Taking money into ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

Check to bring them into ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming safety

See from the Royal Life Saving Society.

There have been shark attacks in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô. Follow advice from local authorities or your tour operator about which beaches are safe.

Scuba diving

Diving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:

• ask to see a dive operator’s credentials
• check the conditions on your insurance policy â€� some policies require dive instructors to have certain qualifications
• make sure safety equipment looks to be in good condition
• make sure oxygen is available on the boat
• ask about safety precautions, including the ability to transfer divers to a hyperbaric chamber

If you have not had any previous diving experience, check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, see information on driving abroad and check the as French driving rules apply. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.

Check with the local authorities or your car hire company if you need an international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK driving licence.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Tropical cyclones

The cyclone season in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô normally runs from December to April. Monitor local news and check the (in French) and . Follow advice issued by the local authorities.

Volcanic eruptions

There are active volcanoes on ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, including .

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the

See , including.

• chikungunya
• dengue

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô. Read more about .

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read .

Healthcare in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

General healthcare facilities in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, including emergency services, are good.ÌýSome specialist treatment is also available.

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The NHS’s has details about:

• how to apply for a GHIC
• how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
• who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
• what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings
• additional standard costs for treatment
• medical repatriation to the UK
• treatment that is ruled non-urgent
• private healthcare
• private clinics

Healthcare for residents

If you plan to live in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system.

DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline: +44 (0)191 218 1999

You can also get English-language or on +33 (0)820 90 42 12. You can get French-language information online about .

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in ¸éé³Ü²Ô¾±´Ç²Ô

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

or

Ambulance: 15

Fire: 18

Police: 17

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• getting help if you’re aÌývictim of crime
• what to do if you’reÌýin hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

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SeeÌýÌýincluding in an emergency.Ìý

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Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) �

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