For a short stay, a French citizen does not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. They need a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). It costs £20, is valid for two years or until the passport expires, and allows stays of up to six months. It does not authorize stays longer than six months, nor does it allow work except in specific circumstances; to work for more than six months, GOV.UK requires a visa. These rules are from UK government websites accessed on October 18, 2026 (dates shown at the bottom of the page). They are subject to change: check them before each trip.
This page deals with entry and residence. It does not cover: healthcare and health insurance in the UK, the detailed conditions of each long-stay visa, their cost, or UK taxation. For tax residency, see our pages on the UK.
The passport and the ETA
The GOV.UK page for visitors from the European Union states: "You will need a valid passport." The passport must cover the entire duration of the stay. The same page indicates that citizens of the European Union, excluding Ireland, come "for holidays or short trips with an electronic travel authorization," meaning with an ETA and without a visa. France is part of the European Union.
| Point | What the GOV.UK pages say |
|---|---|
| Cost | «An ETA (electronic travel authorization) costs £20. » |
| Validity | «for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. » |
| Travel | «You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have an ETA» |
| Duration of each stay | Up to 6 months, in the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man |
| Refund | «"You cannot get a refund after you apply." If your application is refused, you must submit a new one. |
| Travellers | Each person needs their own ETA, including babies and children |
One important point to remember: the ETA does not guarantee entry. GOV.UK states that it does not guarantee entry to the United Kingdom.
How to request it
The application is made online or using the official ETA app. The app scans your passport and face with your phone's camera. You will need the passport you are traveling with, an email address, a photo of your face, and a payment method (credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay).
The decision usually arrives by email within one day, but can take up to three business days. Wait for the confirmation email before traveling. GOV.UK also warns: "Avoid websites that imitate government services." Use the official website.
What ETA allows, and what it forbids
| Authorized with an ETA | Not authorized with an ETA |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips or short-term studies | Staying for more than 6 months |
| A paid engagement is permitted, or up to 3 months under the "Creative Worker" license.« | Working, paid or unpaid, for a British company or on one's own account, except in authorized cases |
| Transit through a British airport with security checks | Requesting public funds |
| Getting married or entering into a civil partnership (a specific visa is required) | |
| «live in the UK through frequent or successive visits» |
The last line counts for a settlement project: GOV.UK refuses to allow a visitor to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
Business trips
Short business trips can be undertaken without a visa, using an ETA, for up to six months in most cases. Meetings, events, and conferences are permitted. Excluded are work for a British company (paid or unpaid), self-employment, internships, direct sales to the public, and the provision of goods and services.
Beyond 6 months: the visa
The rule is clear for work. In its section on business travel, GOV.UK states, regarding non-Irelandian EU citizens who wish to work in the UK, that to work for more than six months they must apply for a visa: "for longer than 6 months, they need to apply for a visa." The page on the ETA specifies that the ETA does not authorize a stay of more than six months. The page on visitors from the European Union adds that an eVisa is generally granted when permission is granted to stay for more than six months. If you do not have an account with UK Immigration (UKVI), you must create one to access your eVisa.
The official tool "Check if you need a UK visa" allows you to verify your situation. The page indicates that you may need a visa "to visit, study or work".
An example of a long-stay visa is the Skilled Worker visa, which allows you to work in an eligible job with an approved employer. According to the GOV.UK website, it can last up to five years before being extended and requires a confirmed job offer, a sponsorship certificate, a certain level of English proficiency, and, for family members, applications for dependents. This page is dated October 2024 in its public version: review it, along with information on other visas, before making any plans. This page does not provide detailed information on these visas.
Who doesn't need an ETA?
The GOV.UK pages list, among other things:
- British and Irish citizens; ;
- holders of a British visa; ;
- holders of settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, a family permit or a pending application; ;
- transit passengers on the airside, without going through border control.
If you have this type of status, read the page "When you do not need an ETA" before applying.
The identity card
The national identity card is accepted only in limited cases: EUSS status, family permit, cross-border worker permit, or S2 status. For these cases, cards conforming to ICAO standards are accepted without an expiry date; non-compliant cards are accepted "until otherwise announced." The France Diplomatie website addresses French citizens residing in the United Kingdom before December 31, 2020, and holding European resident status, and specifies an expiry date ("until at least December 31, 2025") which has now passed: see GOV.UK, which is more up-to-date. For an ordinary visitor, bring your passport.
A special case: children registered on the France-United Kingdom school trip form enter with their national identity card, without a visa or ETA.
Other formalities
- Species. A traveler from the European Union with £10,000 or more in cash must make a declaration.
- Conduct. A non-UK driving licence is valid; GOV.UK states: "You do not need an international driving permit."«
An old French source
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on the United Kingdom indicates a valid passport, visa-free entry for up to six months, and a long-stay visa for work, study, or settlement. It states "Last updated 4/03/2016, still valid 13/07/2024" and makes no mention of the ETA. This page relies on GOV.UK for information on the ETA and dates its sources.
Stay in the United Kingdom: a numerical example (fictitious profile)
Situation. A fictional French family of four is planning a two-month stay in the United Kingdom. Their passports expire in 14 months (parent 1), 30 months (parent 2 and child), and 9 months (baby). These durations are hypothetical.
Issue. How much do ETAs cost, and until when is each one valid?
Strategy. Apply for an ETA for each person, including infants, at £20 each. Choose the shorter of the two validity periods: 24 months or the passport expiry date.
Result.
| Traveler | Passport expires in | valid ETA |
|---|---|---|
| Parent 1 | 14 months | 14 months |
| Parent 2 | 30 months | 24 months |
| Child | 30 months | 24 months |
| baby | 9 months | 9 months |
Total cost: 4 × £20 = £80. The baby's ETA expires 9 months after application, when their passport expires. This profile is fictitious. It does not take into account exchange rates or potential bank fees, and is not indicative of your specific situation.
Staying in the United Kingdom: what changes depending on your situation
- The purpose of the stay : tourism, business travel, work, studies or settling in are subject to different rules.
- The duration : the ETA is limited to 6 months per stay; beyond that, a visa is required.
- Your status EU Settlement Scheme, British title or British or Irish citizenship change the documents required.
- The children : each person has their own ETA and their own passport.
- The timetable : the GOV.UK pages are updated throughout the year.
The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to go to the United Kingdom if you are French?
For tourism or short business trips, no: GOV.UK requires an ETA, not a visa. To work for more than 6 months, GOV.UK requires a visa.
How long can we stay?
Up to 6 months per stay with an ETA. GOV.UK prohibits living in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
How much does the ETA cost and how long is it worth?
It costs £20 and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier.
Can you enter with an identity card?
Only in limited cases, detailed above. An ordinary visitor takes a passport.
Can we work with an ETA?
No, except for paid engagements authorized by GOV.UK or concessions. Working for a UK company or on one's own account is prohibited.
Take stock before leaving
Planning a trip to the UK requires preparing your application well before you buy your first ticket. Schedule an appointment with Balmont Conseil, a Lyon-based firm with nearly 14 years of experience, to discuss your plans.
Alexis SagnierFinancial and real estate investment advisor, insurance broker, AMF certified
Founder of Balmont Conseil, Lyon (ORIAS 13003497)
Read also
- Living in the UK: 2026-27 taxes and tax residency
- Leaving France for the United States: exit tax
- France-UK Tax Treaty: The Details
- FIG Regime and Inheritance Tax in the United Kingdom
- Leaving France for Thailand: exit tax
- Tax residency in the Emirates: criteria and calculation
- Singapore: Gains on the sale of foreign assets
Official sources
- GOV.UK, «Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen» (updated 15/05/2026): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-as-an-eu-eea-or-swiss-citizen
- GOV.UK, «Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)» (public date displayed: 28/05/2025; metadata update: 18/09/2026): https://www.gov.uk/eta
- GOV.UK, «What you can and cannot do with an ETA» (05/28/2025): https://www.gov.uk/eta/what-you-can-cannot-do
- GOV.UK, «Apply for an ETA» (05/28/2025): https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply
- GOV.UK, «When you don’t need an ETA»: https://www.gov.uk/eta/when-not-need-eta
- GOV.UK, «Standard Visitor visa»: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
- GOV.UK, «Check if you need a UK visa» (06/16/2021): https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
- GOV.UK, «Skilled Worker visa» (31/10/2024): https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
- France Diplomacy, "United Kingdom, travel advice" (old page, see above): https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/royaume-uni/
