The Schengen visa exemption: 90 days in any 180
The United States is on the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from short-stay visas in the Schengen Area. An American can therefore come to Paris for tourism, a family visit or a business trip (meetings, trade fairs, negotiations) without any prior formalities. The exemption covers a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period, across all 29 Schengen countries: days spent in Italy or Spain count just as much as those spent in Paris.
It does not allow you to work for a French employer, to settle in France or to study for more than three months: those situations require a long-stay visa, covered below.
How to calculate the 90/180 rule
The 180-day period is rolling: on each day of presence, the authorities look back over the previous 180 days and check that the total does not exceed 90 days. Example: you stay in Paris from 1 February to 31 March (59 days). You can come back in June for a maximum of 31 days, not 45. The day of arrival and the day of departure each count as a full day. With the EES, this count is automatic and any overstay shows up at every check.
ETIAS: where does the European travel authorisation stand?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an electronic authorisation, comparable to the American ESTA, that visa-exempt travellers, Americans included, will one day have to obtain. As of September 2026, ETIAS is not in force. The launch, announced for the last quarter of 2026, has been postponed with no new date: the European Commission removed the deadline from its official pages in July 2026 and has committed to announcing the final date several months in advance. Travel professionals are betting on 2027, without confirmation.
What the scheme provides for:
- Price: €20 per application, paid online; free for under-18s and over-70s, who must still apply.
- Validity: 3 years, or until the passport expires if sooner, multiple entries.
- Processing time: a few minutes in most cases, up to 30 days for some applications; a grace period of about six months is planned after the launch.
Beware of websites already offering to "pre-register" an application for a fee: no applications are being accepted for now.
EES: biometric border checks
The EES (Entry/Exit System) started gradually on 12 October 2025, with full application scheduled for 10 April 2026. It replaces the passport stamp with a digital record: on your first entry into the Schengen Area, the border police photograph your face and take the fingerprints of four fingers, and every crossing is then recorded. The file is kept for three years; on later entries, a single biometric check is enough.
In practice, at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle: a longer first crossing, self-service pre-registration kiosks (free and optional) in the terminals, and queues that exceeded several hours at some European airports in summer 2026. The temporary derogations granted to member states expired in early September 2026 but are still tolerated in several countries, including France: depending on the terminal and the time, you may face full biometric registration or a traditional manual check. Arrive early for your return flight and allow extra time for a connection. Once through passport control, our guide to getting from the airport to the city centre takes over.
Passport and supporting documents: what you may be asked for
The passport
Two conditions, checked by the airline before boarding:
- valid for at least 3 months after your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area;
- issued less than 10 years before the date of entry.
The State Department recommends six months' validity for any international travel. Important: France does not accept the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry. If your passport is lost or stolen before departure, apply for a full passport, or you risk being refused boarding.
Supporting documents
The check is usually limited to a question about the purpose and length of your stay. The border police may nevertheless ask for:
- a return or onward ticket, or the means to buy one;
- proof of accommodation: a hotel booking, an attestation d'accueil (host certificate) validated at the town hall if you are staying with friends or family, or a rental contract;
- proof of sufficient funds: €65 per day with a hotel booking, €32.50 per day with a host certificate, €120 per day without proof of accommodation (reference amounts given by France-Visas);
- an insurance certificate covering medical expenses, hospital costs and repatriation.
In practice, a bank card and your booking confirmations are enough. For payments during your stay, read paying and withdrawing money in Paris.
Travel insurance
It is not compulsory, but US health insurance, Medicare included, generally does not cover treatment in France, and a medical evacuation costs tens of thousands of dollars. Check the coverage provided by your credit card before taking out a separate policy. Our pointers: emergencies and health in Paris.
Staying more than 90 days: the long-stay visa
Beyond 90 days, whatever the purpose, a long-stay visa must be applied for before departure, via France-Visas and then at the consulate covering your state of residence. The common cases for an American:
- Visitor visa (VLS-TS visiteur): to live in France without working, with sufficient resources and private health insurance.
- Student visa (VLS-TS étudiant): after admission to an institution, via the Études en France procedure.
- Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T): from 4 to 6 months, with no extension possible, for a semester or an extended holiday.
- Working holiday: there is no such agreement between France and the United States.
Submit your application up to three months before departure; allow several weeks between the appointment and the decision. The VLS-TS must then be validated online within three months of arrival. Expect around €100 in visa fees; the exact amount is shown on France-Visas when you apply.
Special cases
- Dual nationality: an American who also holds a French passport or one from another EU country enters with that European passport, with no time limit and no ETIAS. Leave the United States on your US passport and enter France on your European one.
- Minors: each child travels on their own passport. If a child travels without one of their parents, a written authorisation from the absent parent and a copy of their ID make the check easier.
- Driving in France: a US driving licence is accepted for a short stay if accompanied by an International Driving Permit (issued by AAA or AATA) or an official translation.
Summary table
| Length and purpose of stay | Document required (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tourism, visits, business, up to 90 days in any 180 | Valid passport (3 months after exit, issued less than 10 years ago); EES registration; ETIAS not required until it launches |
| Same stay, after ETIAS launches | Passport + ETIAS (€20, free under 18 and over 70, valid for 3 years) |
| Stay of 4 to 6 months without work | Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) |
| Stay of more than 6 months, without work | VLS-TS visiteur, to be validated online within 3 months |
| Studies lasting more than 90 days | VLS-TS étudiant |
| Salaried work, whatever the length | Long-stay visa with work authorisation |
On the day at the airport
Before boarding, the airline checks your passport and sometimes your return ticket: a non-compliant document means being refused boarding, not sorting things out on arrival. At CDG, follow the terminal signage: the automatic gates are open only to certain nationalities, and with the EES a first registration at a desk or kiosk is still required. Keep your accommodation address and supporting documents to hand; an in-depth check remains rare. For the rest of your trip, choose your dates with the best time to visit Paris and get your tickets sorted early with booking ahead in Paris.
Going further
The rules described here are those of September 2026; ETIAS and the EES are still being rolled out and the arrangements may change from one month to the next. Check France-Visas and the website of the US Embassy in France a few weeks before departure. Travellers from Asia will find the counterpart to this article in Japanese travellers and visas for Paris. To stay connected from the moment you land, compare eSIM or SIM card in France, and for accommodation, read hotels in Paris by budget.
