Is It Safe to Travel to France in 2026?
France - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
France, officially the French Republic, is a country primarily located in Western Europe. Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean.
Is It Safe to Travel to France in 2026?
France is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and unrest. Pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- terrorism
- civil_unrest
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from pickpocketing and theft in crowded areas like tourist attractions and public transport, which are prevalent in major cities like Paris.
Business travelers may encounter disruptions from civil unrest, particularly in Paris, where protests can affect transportation and meeting schedules.
Families with children should be cautious of healthcare access outside major cities and the risk of pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas, necessitating extra vigilance.
Remote workers can find reliable WiFi in urban centers, but should be cautious of civil unrest that may disrupt daily routines.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for France.
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▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
France has an overall threat severity of 2.9 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 89/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
French
Vaccinations
Required:
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months.
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to France
▶What is the current travel advisory level for France?
▶Is it safe to travel to France right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit France?
▶What vaccines do I need for France?
▶Is France safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in France?
More France Data
Free — 89/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.