Chamonix Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
As part of France and the Schengen Area, Chamonix follows EU visa policies. Requirements vary by nationality, with many countries enjoying visa-free access for short stays.
Citizens of EU member states, European Economic Area countries, and Switzerland can enter freely with no time limit
Valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or additional authorization needed.
Citizens of these countries can enter for tourism or business without a visa
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. ETIAS authorization will be required from 2024 onwards (see next category).
From 2024, visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS pre-authorization before entering the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 (approximately $7-8 USD). Free for travelers under 18 or over 70.
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. One ETIAS valid for all Schengen countries. System expected to launch in 2024.
Citizens of countries not listed above must obtain a Schengen visa before travel
Schengen visa allows travel throughout all Schengen member states. Visa fees typically €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. Processing takes 15-30 days on average.
Arrival Process
Most international travelers to Chamonix will enter through Geneva Airport (Switzerland, 88km away), Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (220km), or Paris airports before traveling overland. If arriving via Geneva, you'll go through Swiss immigration first, then cross into France by road with minimal or no border checks due to Schengen agreements. If arriving via French airports, you'll clear immigration there.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
France follows EU customs regulations. When entering from non-EU countries, you must declare goods exceeding duty-free allowances. If arriving from another EU country, different (generally more generous) allowances apply for personal use items.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly forbidden with severe penalties including imprisonment
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media
- Weapons and ammunition - without proper authorization and permits
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants (CITES regulations)
- Certain food products - meat, dairy, and plant products from non-EU countries (with limited exceptions)
- Offensive materials - hate speech materials, certain publications
Restricted Items
- Medications - bring prescription and doctor's letter; limited to personal use quantities. Controlled substances require special authorization.
- Firearms and ammunition - require prior authorization from French authorities and proper documentation
- Cultural artifacts - items of historical/cultural significance may require export permits from origin country
- Plants and plant products - phytosanitary certificate required from non-EU countries
- Live animals - require health certificates and compliance with EU animal import regulations
- Drones - restrictions apply in Chamonix area due to Mont Blanc National Park; permits may be required
- Large amounts of cash - amounts over €10,000 must be declared
Health Requirements
France has high healthcare standards. No vaccinations are mandatory for entry from most countries, though routine vaccinations should be up to date. Health insurance is strongly recommended.
Required Vaccinations
- None for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries in Africa or South America
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), chickenpox, polio, and yearly flu shot
- Hepatitis A and B for some travelers
- Tick-borne encephalitis if planning extensive hiking in forests during spring/summer
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants and strongly recommended for all visitors. EU citizens should bring European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to French healthcare. Medical costs can be very high without insurance. Insurance should cover medical treatment, hospitalization, and emergency repatriation.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (including infants). Children traveling without both parents should carry notarized parental consent letter signed by non-traveling parent(s), including contact information and photocopy of parent's ID. Single parents should carry child's birth certificate. Divorced parents may need custody documents. EU citizens: children can travel on parent's passport if registered there and under 12, though individual passports recommended.
Pets from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old). From non-EU countries: ISO-compatible microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, official veterinary health certificate (within 10 days of travel), and rabies antibody test for some countries (3 months before travel). Dogs must be at least 3 months old. Dangerous dog breeds restricted. Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Check specific requirements at French Agriculture Ministry website.
Non-EU citizens planning stays over 90 days must apply for long-stay visa (VLS-TS) before arrival at French consulate in home country. Categories include: work visa (requires job offer), student visa (requires enrollment), visitor visa (requires proof of funds, €1,500+/month), or family reunification. After arrival, validate visa with OFII within 3 months. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but should register at local town hall (mairie) if staying over 3 months. Working requires proper permits.
Business visitors on visa-free or ETIAS entry can attend meetings, conferences, and negotiations but cannot be employed or paid by French entities. For work assignments, work visa required. Bring invitation letter from French company, proof of employment from home company, and business registration documents if self-employed. Stay within 90/180-day rule.
Students from visa-required countries need long-stay student visa. Apply through Campus France system. Required: acceptance letter from French institution, proof of funds (€615/month minimum), accommodation proof, health insurance. Students from visa-exempt countries staying under 90 days don't need visa for short courses. EU students need enrollment proof only.
No special entry requirements, but highly recommended: winter sports travel insurance covering mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation (can cost €5,000+), ski equipment insurance, and medical coverage for skiing injuries. French authorities recommend off-piste insurance. Bring ski insurance documents if you have them. Consider altitude acclimatization if coming from sea level.
Airport transit visa (VTA) required for certain nationalities when changing planes in French airports, even without entering France. Check if your nationality requires VTA. If leaving airport during connection, standard entry requirements apply. Schengen visa holders don't need separate VTA.