You are planning a vacation, but you have lost your passport, or you don't have time to have it redone. Know that it is entirely possible togo abroad without this precious sesame. Where to go without a passport? Don't panic, we'll give you all destinations where it is possible in this article!
Well, indeed if you were to go to the United States to do Route 66 in Arizona, your plans clearly fall through… Since 2001 and the September 11 attacks, it has become practically impossible to enter most foreign countries without a passport in due form. And yet, sometimes that is not enough! Still keeping the example of the USA, you will also need an eVisa and not have stayed in certain countries before your stay, such as Cuba or Iran.
Of course, the destinations to go without a passport are mainly on the European continent. However, some external countries accept French nationals with a simple identity card. There are therefore many solutions for going on vacation without a passport, here are all the possibilities!
Where to go without a passport? Stay in France
If you want play the simplicity card and not to travel too many kilometers, the best is to visit France for your vacation. We are extremely lucky to have a country with very varied landscapes and cultures, so we might as well take advantage of it!
Metropolitan France
You don't necessarily have to go far to experience extraordinary adventures! France is full of sensational places to explore. From the Breton coasts to the summits of the Alps or the Pyrenees, via the relatively unknown territories of the east or the beauties of Corsica, there is plenty to do! Without forgetting all the cities where you can take memorable city trips…
One thing is certain, it is the easiest destination to go without a passport. In fact, you will never be asked for this as long as you are traveling within the country or on the metropolitan islands. If you are traveling by plane or boat, an identity card will suffice. Note that since 2014, its validity period has increased from 10 to 15 years for adults. So even if your card is marked as expired, it is automatically extended and remains valid for an additional 5 years. Please note, this is not valid for children and teenagers under 18, for whom the duration of 10 years is required.
The Dom Toms
Today called DROM-COM (overseas departments and regions and overseas communities), the former DOM-TOM offer wonderful possibilities to go without a passport. Indeed, these are French territories, so logically, the identity card is enough to get you there, in the same way as the metropolitan departments.
However, only direct flights are affected by the passport exemption. Here's where you can go for a tropical break away from everyday life:
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Guyana
- Meeting
- Mayotte (the potential stopover is in Reunion, therefore in France)
The case of Saint-Martin : located in the Caribbean, there are two ways to reach the island. Most flights from Paris arrive at Princess Juliana International Airport, located in Sint-Maarten, in other words on the Dutch side: you will then need to present a valid passport as well as a return ticket. If you only have an identity card, you can also arrive at Grand Case Espérance airport, in the French part.
For the other DOM-TOM, it is more complicated, because there are a stopover in a foreign country. You will therefore be required to have a passport to go to the following destinations:
- New Caledonia (stopover in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea or Japan)
- French Polynesia (stopover in the United States or New Zealand)
- Saint-Barthélemy (stopover in Saint-Martin)
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon (stopover in Canada)
- Wallis and Futuna (stopover in Japan or South Korea)
- The Southern Lands as well as the French Antarcticas.
Where to go without a passport? Go to Europe
Member countries of the European Union
Thanks to the Schengen area, it is now possible to travel to all member countries of the European Union. To get to each of them by plane, you will need to present your identity card. If you go there by car, bike, train, or on foot, you are unlikely to be asked for it. In fact, border controls practically no longer exist.
Here is the list of member countries of the European Union agreeing to travel without a passport: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Of course, it is also possible to travel without a passport in the islands and territories which depend on these countries : all the Greek islands including Crete, the Balearic and Canary archipelagos (Spain), the Italian islands (Sardinia, Sicily and Elba), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), the Faroe Islands and Greenland (Denmark).
Attention : Since Brexit, you can no longer enter the United Kingdom with an identity card. You must have a valid passport.
Other signatory countries
Where to go without a passport outside the European Union? Good news, some non-member countries have also signed the Schengen agreementsallowing you to go there without having to present a passport: Norway, Iceland, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, Andorra, Georgia, the Anglo-Islands Normandy (Jersey and Guernsey for the day), Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco and Switzerland.
Where to go without a passport? Leave Europe
If you want to go elsewhere and dream of going to countries outside the European Union, the choice is very limited. Indeed, only three countries accept French travelers without passports :
- Tunisia on one condition: travel through a travel agency that has received a special exemption. On your arrival, customs will give you proof to keep for the duration of your stay and to present when leaving the territory.
- Egypt is also a superb destination for a change of scenery without needing a passport. You must, however, be in possession of your identity card and it must still be valid 6 months after your date of return to France. Another formality to complete before departure: apply for a visa online or at the consulate.
- Turkey can also be a good option if you only have the identity card and your trip does not exceed more than 3 months.
It is therefore entirely possible to travel without a passport, provided you adapt to the countries indicated in this article. However, it is still important to carry identification with you whenever you travel and not to forget anything for your trip!
