You are intending to travel to France soon and are wondering how to organise your trip and stay? It will all depend on how long you intend to stay in France. If you are just coming to Paris for a quick weekend, you will not have too many problems to sort out. If, on the other hand, you intend to stay for several months, the list of matters to attend to prior to setting out could very soon appear quite daunting: money, accommodation, university enrolment or a job, various administrative formalities...

FORMALITIES BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

Papers

Do you need a visa ?

Health Insurance

Agreements have been signed between most European countries to cover their nationals when abroad. Before leaving home, ask your health insurance centre for some reimbursement forms (European Form E111). With these forms you will be able to get reimbursed for doctors' and medicine bills when you return home as long as you can produce documentary proof (don't forget to ask your French doctor for a fee sheet - see “Health” section).

If your country has not signed an agreemen with France, the best solution is to take out private insurance which will cover illness or accident.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are compulsory for European nationals. If, however, you wish to bring your pet animal into France you will have to produce an anti-rabies certificate when crossing the border!

Cars

To drive in France you will need your national driver's licence (or international driver's licence for non-EU nationals), a car registration certificate (called a “carte grise” in France) and insurance certificate.

You would also be well advised to obtain a Drivers' Accident Report (constat amiable) form from your insurance company before leaving home. It will save you a lot of time and trouble if you are involved in an accident. You should also obtain a list of dealers in France for your make of car in case your car should need repairs.

If you intend to stay for less than 6 months, you can drive freely throughout France with your car.

If your stay is to be for longer than 6 months, you should inquire at the Customs authorities belonging to the Prefecture of your place of residence in order to register your car under French regulations (the same conditions apply to motorbikes).

If you are coming to France to work, you will also have to pay a Customs clearance duty of 22% of the (new or secondhand) value of you car. Two rates apply for motorbikes: 18.60% for bikes of less than 250 cc and 22% for bikes of 250 cc and above.

These regulations do not apply to students entering France to study. They can drive freely throughout the country for the entire duration of their stay, as long as they can provide evidence of their student status and have owned the car for more than 6 months.

Design by : Marc ELOY - Em@ze InfoSystems

Last update : 01/12/96