Do American Citizens Need a Visa to Enter France?
- Jennifer
- 6 janv.
- 6 min de lecture
This is one of the first questions I’m asked by American clients — often very early in their project, sometimes even before they start looking at properties.
The answer is reassuring, but it also comes with important nuances.American citizens can enter France without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days.That said, the rules change completely as soon as the idea shifts from visiting France to living here.
Information accurate as of March 2025.
In this article, I’ll explain — simply and clearly — the difference between tourism, long stays, and residency, and which visa applies in each situation. These distinctions matter more than many people expect.
Table of Contents
Entering France as a Tourist
For short visits, the process is straightforward.
American citizens can enter France without a visa for:
Tourism
Business trips
Visiting friends or family
The maximum stay is 90 days within any 180-day period.
From my experience, this rule works perfectly for people coming to discover the region, spend a summer here, or enjoy their second home — as long as the limit is respected.
A valid passport is required, and it must remain valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
Understanding the 90-Day Rule
This is where confusion often starts — even for well-prepared buyers.
France is part of the Schengen Area, which means the 90-day limit applies to all Schengen countries combined, not to each country individually. For American citizens, the rule is always the same: 90 days within any 180-day period.
What this means in practice 🇪🇺
The 90 days apply to France + all other Schengen countries
Time spent in Italy, Spain, or elsewhere in Schengen is added together
There is no reset when crossing borders within Schengen
👉 Moving between countries does not restart the counter.
A common misunderstanding I often see
I regularly meet clients who believe they can manage their stay by alternating countries. Unfortunately, that approach doesn’t work.
For example:
30 days in France 🇫🇷
30 days in Italy 🇮🇹
30 days in Spain 🇪🇸
= 90 days total, even though no single stay exceeds one month.
The 180-day rolling period ⏳
Another point that is often overlooked is how the 180-day period works.
It is rolling, not tied to the calendar year
Each day of stay is counted by looking back over the previous 180 days
This makes manual tracking important, especially for frequent travelers
👉 Practical tip: I always recommend keeping a simple list of entry and exit dates. It avoids unintentional overstays and removes a lot of uncertainty.
Why this matters
For Americans planning extended stays in Provence — or combining time in France with travel elsewhere in Europe — understanding this rule is essential.
Respecting the 90-day limit is not just a technical detail. It is a legal requirement that can affect future travel, visa applications, and long-term plans.
When a Visa Becomes Mandatory
As soon as an American citizen plans to stay in France longer than 90 days, a visa becomes mandatory.There is no flexibility on this point — it is a clear legal threshold.
In my experience, this is often the moment when a simple travel plan turns into a real residency project. As soon as the stay goes beyond tourism, the legal framework changes.
A visa is required if you plan to 🇫🇷:
Live in France year-round 🏡Whether as a primary residence or long-term base.
Retire in France 🌿Even without working or generating income locally.
Work or run a business 💼Including freelance, self-employed, or company-based activities.
Study in France 🎓For any program lasting more than 90 days.
Join family members 👨👩👧👦Such as a spouse or close relative legally residing in France.
A point I always insist on
Owning property does not change this rule.
Even if you own a villa or an apartment in France:
✔ You may stay up to 90 days without a visa
❌ You cannot stay longer without the appropriate long-stay visa
Property ownership and residency rights are two separate legal matters.
Why this matters in practice
I’ve seen situations where buyers assumed that purchasing a home would naturally allow them to stay longer. Unfortunately, that misunderstanding can lead to overstays, administrative issues, and complications for future travel or visa applications.
👉 Practical tip: if a stay longer than 90 days is even a possibility, it’s worth exploring visa options before finalising your plans. This avoids last-minute stress and keeps your project on solid legal ground.
The Main Types of Visas for American Citizens 🇺🇸
Over the years, these are the visas I most often see requested:
Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS “Visiteur”)
Often used by retirees or non-working residents who can demonstrate sufficient financial resources.
Work or Self-Employed Visa
Required if you plan to work in France or run your own business.
Student Visa
For academic programs lasting more than 90 days.
Private and Family Life Visa
For joining a spouse or close family member legally residing in France.
Each visa has its own requirements, documents, and timelines. This is why I usually recommend looking into visa options before finalising long-term plans.
Does Owning Property Change Anything?
This is a very common question, and it’s completely understandable.Many American buyers naturally wonder whether owning a home in France makes long stays easier.
The answer is reassuring — as long as the rules are clearly understood.
Owning real estate in France means:
✔ You are free to stay in your own property for short visits, under the 90-day rule
✔ You can come and go as often as you like, within that legal timeframe
✔ You have a strong base in France if you plan to spend regular time here
What it doesn’t automatically do:
It doesn’t replace a visa for long-term stays
It doesn’t grant residency rights on its own
Rather than being a limitation, this simply reflects the fact that property ownership and residency status follow two different legal paths in France.
👉 In practice, many owners start with short stays, then move naturally toward a long-stay visa once their project becomes clearer. The two processes complement each other very well when planned in the right order.
This distinction doesn’t make property ownership any less attractive. In fact, long-term data shows why Provence remains such a strong market for foreign buyers, as outlined in Provence Real Estate: The Hidden Gold Mine of the Past Decade.
What About ETIAS?
As of March 2025, American citizens:
Do not need a visa for short stays
Do not need ETIAS to enter France
ETIAS has been announced at European level, but it is not yet in force. Because entry rules can evolve, I always advise checking official sources shortly before travelling.
Why These Distinctions Matter
From my perspective, understanding these differences early avoids a lot of frustration later.I’ve seen projects delayed — or complicated unnecessarily — simply because visa questions were addressed too late.
This is also why, when I work with American clients looking to purchase property in Provence, I make sure they are not left alone with these questions. Through Var Villas Management, we support buyers not only with the acquisition of their property, but also by guiding them through the administrative steps that come with settling in France, including understanding visa and residency requirements.
Whether the plan is to spend a few months a year in Provence or to relocate permanently, clarity on entry and residency rules is essential — and having the right guidance early on often makes all the difference.
Once residency and visa questions are clear, tax considerations naturally follow, and are addressed separately in Investing in Provence: How French Taxation Works for Foreign Buyers.
A Personal Note 💬
💡My advice
From my experience, the biggest mistake Americans make is assuming they can “figure the visa out later.”If you’re even considering spending more than a few months a year in France, my advice is simple: look at visa options before you commit to long-term plans, not after. It gives you far more flexibility and peace of mind.
🌍 Did you know?
Many American citizens don’t realise that overstaying the 90-day limit can affect future entries into Europe. Even unintentional overstays may be recorded and complicate later travel or visa applications. Staying informed — and compliant — really matters.
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