Rules and laws in France (2026)
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Every topic we cover for France. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car insurance and green cards
Using a vehicle in France requires liability insurance. Cars based in an EU state are outside the border-insurance rules, while other cars need a green card or border insurance.
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Car speed limits
Cars may do 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on two-way roads without a central separator and 130 km/h on motorways. Limits fall in rain, to 110 km/h on motorways.
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Distinguishing sign on cars
France recognises the country sign on the left of an EU plate as equivalent to a separate sign under Regulation (EC) No 2411/98. The current national text on foreign-registered cars was not found.
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Drink-driving limits
France sets the limit at 0.05% blood alcohol (0.5 g/l). Police can carry out preventive checks without an offence or accident. At 0.8 g/l or more the offence is criminal, with up to 3 years in prison and a EUR 9,000 fine.
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Driving after drugs
Driving after drug use shown by a blood or saliva test is a criminal offence, with no numeric limit. Police can order screening tests without suspicion.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
A pedelec (250 W, assistance up to 25 km/h) is treated as an ordinary bicycle and needs no registration or insurance. A 45 km/h speed bike is a cyclomoteur: it must be registered and insured, and the rider needs a helmet and the AM category or BSR.
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E-scooters
Electric scooters may be ridden from age 14 at up to 25 km/h and need liability insurance. Use cycle paths where they exist; pavements are off limits unless the mayor allows them. One rider per scooter.
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Foreign driving licences
A valid EU/EEA licence may be used without exchange except in listed cases. A licence from outside the EU/EEA is valid for short stays under six months and for one year after normal residence begins.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
The category B licence can be obtained from 17. Early learning with an accompanying person is open from 15.
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Mopeds
A cyclomoteur can be ridden from age 14, with an AM licence for those born after 31 December 1987. A helmet, insurance and a registration plate are required.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Riders and passengers must wear an approved helmet, and motorcycles need lights by day only when visibility is insufficient. Minimum ages are 16 (A1), 18 (A2) and 20 for category A after two years on A2.
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Road tolls and vignettes
France has a concession motorway network of about 9,241 km where tolls are charged. On free-flow sections without toll booths, payment is due within 72 hours.
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Seat belts and child seats
Seat belts are compulsory where a seat has one. Children under 10 must be in an approved child restraint and may not ride in the front seat except in set cases.
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Towing trailers and caravans
The motorway limit is 130 km/h, or 90 km/h when the combination exceeds 3,500 kg. A second right-hand exterior mirror is required if the trailer hides the view or is wider than the car.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
Using a phone held in the hand while driving is banned, as is wearing a sound-emitting device at the ear. The fixed fine is EUR 135 and 3 points.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to flights departing from France, with compensation of EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance. The national enforcement body is Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC).
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
From other EU states, French customs gives indicative levels of 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer. From outside the EU the duty-free quantities are 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits over 22%, 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
The EHIC covers care from affiliated (conventionné) practitioners, public hospitals and affiliated private clinics, with part of the cost reimbursed. It does not cover non-affiliated private care, repatriation or planned treatment.
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Identity documents
No law requires a French identity card, and identity can be proved by any means. EU citizens may enter with an ID card or passport; British citizens need a passport.
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Meat and dairy imports
Meat and dairy can be carried within the EU. From outside the EU, including Great Britain since 1 January 2021, they are prohibited; infant milk and medical foods are allowed up to 2 kg.
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Minors travelling: documents
A child needs their own ID card or passport. A minor leaving France without a person with parental authority needs an authorisation (AST), even within the EU; travel with one parent needs none.
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Rail passenger rights
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies, but urban, suburban and regional services are exempt from its compensation rules. For long-distance services the figures are 25 % from 60 minutes and 50 % from 120 minutes.
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Short stays (90/180-day rule)
Visitors from the UK do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Non-EU nationals are registered in the Entry/Exit System, which replaces passport stamping.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
Visitors aged 16 or over who live outside the EU can get VAT back on purchases of more than EUR 100 in one shop. Customs validates the slip when they leave the EU and the merchant pays the refund.
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Travelling with personal medicines
Ordinary medicines are limited to the prescribed treatment period or, without a prescription, three months. Narcotic and psychotropic medicines need a certificate from a Schengen country of departure, or a prescription from elsewhere.
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Travelling with pets
France applies the EU rules for dogs, cats and ferrets: microchip, rabies vaccination and a pet passport or health certificate, with up to 5 animals per vehicle. National breed rules and special entry rules have not been verified yet.
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Living
Deposit return schemes and plastic bags
France bans single-use plastic bags, free or paid, with an exception for home-compostable bio-based bags. The law only sets a framework for a drinks container deposit.
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Dual nationality
French law does not require naturalised persons to give up their nationality. A French national who acquires another nationality loses French nationality only by declaration.
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Home education
Instruction is compulsory from 3 to 16 and may be given in the family with prior authorisation. The authorisation is granted on six listed grounds.
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Maximum working time
Working time is capped at 10 hours per day, 48 hours in a week and 44 hours on average over 12 weeks. The legal duration of 35 hours per week is the threshold above which hours count as overtime; daily rest is 11 hours and weekly rest 24 hours.
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Naturalisation by residence
Naturalisation by decree needs five years of residence, French at level B2 and a civic exam. French law does not require renouncing the original nationality.
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Paid holiday
Paid leave builds up at 2.5 working days (jours ouvrables) a month, giving 30 working days or five weeks for a full year. Eleven public holidays are listed, and only 1 May is a compulsory paid day off for all employees.
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Registering residence for longer stays
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who are retired or inactive do not need a residence card to live in France, but may apply for one. The sources read do not state a duty to register residence.
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Smoke alarms in homes
Every dwelling must have at least one smoke alarm. The owner fits it and the occupant maintains it, except in furnished and seasonal rentals, where the owner does both.
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State pension age
The legal minimum retirement age depends on the date of birth, from 62 years and 9 months for people born from 1 January 1963 to 64 years for those born from 1 January 1969. Earlier retirement is possible in set cases such as a long career.
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Statutory minimum wage
France has a statutory minimum wage, the Smic, of €12.31 gross per hour. It applies to adult employees, with lower rates for some employees under 18.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Using and holding cannabis are criminal offences, and use carries up to one year in prison and a fine of €3,750. The medical cannabis trial ended on 31 December 2024, with a transition period for patients already enrolled.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
Selling alcohol to anyone under 18 is banned, and so is giving it free in public places. Young people under 16 may not enter a bar serving alcohol without an adult. There is no general national ban on drinking in the street, but local authorities can set one for a limited time and place.
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Drones
France applies the EU drone rules with national additions. Operators register on AlphaTango for drones over 250 g or with a camera, and pilots must be 14 or older.
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Fireworks
Pyrotechnic articles may be made available only to people aged 18 or over, and category F1 to people aged 12 or over. Sale periods and use bans were not confirmed from national sources.
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Knives and pepper spray
France classes daggers and tear-gas sprays of 100 ml or less as category D weapons. Carrying them without a legitimate reason is an offence.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
Tobacco and vaping products may not be sold to under-18s. Smoking is banned in places for collective use and in collective transport.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.