Before traveling, make sure you have all the required identity documents: national identity card, passport, and, if applicable, a visa. Some countries require your passport to be valid for several months after your return and do not recognize the automatic extension of the national identity card.
Tip : Plan ahead! Processing times can be long, and a hasty departure is not possible without valid documents.
Identity documents depending on the type of flight
Flights within metropolitan France
Accepted documents: French national identity card, passport or driving licence (since summer 2022).
For foreign nationals: a passport is mandatory.
Documents not accepted: family record book, health insurance card, association cards or transport cards.
Family record book, health insurance card, association/club cards or transport cards are not accepted.
Flights to Europe or internationally
Depending on the destination, a national identity card, a passport, and sometimes a visa are required. Always check the required validity and formalities on official websites: Service-Public or France Diplomatie.
Some countries require a passport valid for several months after your return and do not recognize the automatic extension of the national identity card.
Travel by minors (children and adolescents)
A family record book does not replace an official document. Even for a domestic flight, each child must have their own passport or national identity card.
For travel requiring a passport, the child can no longer be registered on a parent's passport.
For more information, please see our page dedicated to unaccompanied children.
Important : A family record book is not a form of identification. Therefore, it does not allow a child to travel by plane, even within mainland France.
Authorization to leave the territory (AST)
Since January 15, 2017, any minor living in France and travelling alone or without one of their parents must have an AST.
This form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by a photocopy of their identity document. The rules may vary depending on the nationality of the signing parent.
For more information
- In a police station,
- At the Calvados Prefecture – Tel: 02 31 30 64 77,
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Customs : For all information on customs formalities (identity documents, goods declaration, etc.), consult the official website of French Customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a flight in metropolitan France, you must present an official document with a photo: passport, national identity card (CNI), or French driving licence (accepted since summer 2022).
The following are not accepted: family record book, health insurance card, association/club cards, transport tickets.
You will be asked for this document at check-in and boarding.
No. Some countries do not automatically extend the validity of national identity cards. It is strongly recommended to travel with a valid passport to facilitate your formalities.
No. A family record book is not an identity document and does not allow a child to fly, even in France.
Yes. Since January 15, 2017, any minor residing in France who travels abroad alone or without one of their parents must present an AST (form signed by a parent or legal guardian), accompanied by a photocopy of the identity document of the signing parent.
No. For foreign nationals (even on domestic flights), a passport is required. A residence permit is not sufficient.
In many countries, your passport must be valid for several months after your planned return date. Before booking, check the specific requirements (validity, visa, supporting documents) on the official websites ( Service-Public, France Diplomatie).
Since June 26, 2012, all minors (including babies as young as 7 days old) must travel with their own identity document (national identity card or passport, depending on the destination). For destinations requiring a passport, the child must have their own individual passport (they can no longer be included on a parent's passport).