Make sure you have the right travel insurance for France. Some things you should take into account are:
- The cost of your trip – No one wants to cancel their holiday but if you have to, you’ll want to know that you can get your money back
- The activities you’re likely to be doing – If you’re planning anything more extreme, we can offer you extra cover
- Will you need additionalsnowboardingorski travel insurance?
- The cost of your baggage
- Don’t forget to check thelatest travel advice for France from the FCDO
What is covered with travel insurance to France?
France travel insurance coversover 100 sports and activities, so you can get up to more on your holiday. We also offer a range of benefits, some of which include:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, we also have medical travel insurance.
We want you to have the best possible experience on your holiday to France. That’s why we’ve put together some fun and interesting facts and other important information that you might want to know before you travel.
| Currency | Euro |
| Most common languages spoken | French |
| Capital | Paris |
| Top destinations | Bordeaux Lyon Nice Cannes Chamonix |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population | Approx.67 million |
| Plug type | Plug type E |
| Driving side | Right-hand side |
| Seasons | Spring – March to May Summer – June to August Autumn – September to November Winter – December to February |
| Laws | Local laws and customs |
Travel requirements to enter France
You don’t need a VISA to visit France. Ensure your passport is up to date and valid for at least three months after your exit date.
You’ll need to either be fully vaccinated or provide a negative PCR test result, taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result, taken within 48 hours pre-departure.
When crossing the border, you may be required to provide proof of travel insurance, as well as proof of accommodation.
Travel insurance for skiing in France
If you plan to ski in France, you’ll need winter sports travel insurance. If you’re under 65, you can add this to any InsureandGo policy. You get extra cover for various activities, from skiing and snowboarding to bobsleighing and tobogganing.
Healthcare in France
British citizens should have a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to use abroad in France. This covers any necessary treatments that may be needed in public healthcare centres or hospitals while you’re on holiday in France. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy travel insurance, as it’s important to make sure you’re covered for anything unexpected that might not be covered by the EHIC or GHIC.
You can find more information abouthealthcare in France here.
Can I get assistance if I fall ill or injure myself while in France?
Yes – In the unfortunate event of needing emergency medical treatment while abroad, our 24-hour assistance team are always on hand to help you. All our travel insurance policyholders can contact our specialised team.
France travel insurance FAQs
How long can you stay in France without a visa?
UK tourists with valid passports can visit France for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
Is healthcare free in France for tourists?
You can request a free EHIC or GHIC card, which covers any necessary treatments in public healthcare centres or hospitals in France. However, this does not cover all costs, so taking outtravel insuranceis essential.
Do you need an EHIC card for France?
While you do not need an EHIC card (or the newer GHIC) to enter France, they are worth getting. The card gives you access to free and reduced healthcare. However, it is no substitute for having comprehensive travel insurance for France.
Which travel insurance is best for France?
The insurance you need will depend on several factors. If you only plan on travelling once, you should considersingle-trip travel insurance.
Annual multi-trip travel insurancewould be more cost-effective if you travel around Europe multiple times during the year. France is included in ourEurope travel insurance.
We offer several levels of travel insurance for France, so you should ensure that the one you choose offers the right amount of cover for you.
If you’re taking a family trip to France, you can cover everyone under one family holiday insurance policy.
Interesting facts about France
- The guillotine was used in France from 1789 to 1977 as a humane and “painless” way to execute people. Dr Joseph-Ignace Guillotin gave his name to it, but he didn’t invent it – and nor was he even in favour of capital punishment.
- Bastille Day is held on 14 July and celebrates the French nation. But when the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, was stormed on that day in 1789, it only had seven elderly inmates – four forgers, two “lunatics” and a “deviant”!
- French was the language of the royal court in England for more than 300 years after the Norman Conquest. Meanwhile in France by 1880, four out of five French people couldn’t speak, read or write French. They used regional languages instead.
- Some visitors are overwhelmed by Paris – so much so that the city has its own syndrome. Sufferers from Paris syndrome get dizzy, panicky, delusional and feel persecuted. Japanese tourists get it the most and 20 a year have to be flown home!
- George Orwell, author of Animal Farm, would have been in trouble with the French authorities for naming the book’s lead character Napoleon. Napoleon is a pig – and in France it’s illegal to name a pig Napoleon.
- The oldest bridge across the River Seine in Paris is the Pont Neuf – whose name means “New Bridge”. When it was finished in 1607 there were several older bridges, but none of them has survived – making the New Bridge the oldest!
