Do Albanian citizens need a visa for France?
No. Albanian citizens can visit France without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they hold a biometric passport. You will need ETIAS once it starts; it is not in operation yet.
Visa-free only with a biometric passport. Otherwise a visa is needed (reduced fee €35).
ETIAS is not in operation yet and no applications are being taken. When it starts, visa-exempt travellers will need an online travel authorisation before travelling. The announced fee is €20 (free under 18 and over 70). No launch date has been officially set; the EU says it will announce it several months in advance. Beware of websites already charging for ETIAS. Read our ETIAS guide.
Your passport
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago.
What border guards can ask for
- Proof of the purpose of your trip and of where you will stay (hotel booking, or an 'attestation d'accueil' if you stay with a private host).
- A return or onward ticket, or proof that you have enough money to buy one.
- Proof of enough money for your stay (cash, bank cards, etc.).
- Travel medical insurance covering medical, hospital and repatriation costs, minimum €30,000.
You must be able to show €65 per day with a hotel booking, €120 per day without proof of accommodation, or €32.50 per day if you stay with a host who obtained an 'attestation d'accueil'.
The 90/180 rule
Without a visa (or with a short-stay Schengen visa) you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the whole Schengen area, not just France. Days spent in other Schengen countries count too.
At the border: the EES
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational and replaces passport stamping. On your first entry, border guards record your name, passport data, fingerprints and a facial photo, plus the date and place of each entry and exit. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Your record is checked at later crossings and your 90/180-day count is calculated automatically.
Staying with friends or family
If you stay with a friend or relative, your host requests an 'attestation d'accueil' (welcome certificate) from their town hall (mairie). It costs €30 in tax stamps and must be validated before your visa application, or before you travel if you do not need a visa.
Travel insurance
Visa applicants must have travel medical insurance of at least €30,000 valid in the whole Schengen area. French official pages also list medical insurance (minimum €30,000) among the documents border guards can ask visa-free travellers for, so we strongly recommend it for everyone.
FAQ
Do Albanian citizens need a visa for France?
No. Albanian citizens can visit France without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they hold a biometric passport. You will need ETIAS once it starts; it is not in operation yet.
How long must my passport be valid?
At least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area, and issued less than 10 years ago.
Do I need ETIAS now?
No. ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being taken. Any site charging for ETIAS today is charging for nothing.
How much money must I show?
You must be able to show €65 per day with a hotel booking, €120 per day without proof of accommodation, or €32.50 per day if you stay with a host who obtained an 'attestation d'accueil'.
Checked on 17 October 2026 against: eur-lex.europa.eu, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, france-visas.gouv.fr, service-public.gouv.fr, france-visas.gouv.fr, service-public.gouv.fr. Rules can change: official sites prevail.