France

This entry concerns private pleasure craft in European mainland France only. French overseas territories may have different border, customs and biosecurity regimes; do not apply this entry directly. Yachts arriving from or departing to non-Schengen locations must verify immigration checks. Vessel customs status, temporary admission and VAT are separate matters.

Official sources: French Customs yacht formalities · French Customs non-Schengen routes

Ports of entry/departure

Normally use an international border crossing (point de passage frontalier, PPF) during opening hours. Some non-PPF yacht harbours participate in special arrangements and must be on the current list, with prior port consent.

Official route: Direct voyages between a non-Schengen port and mainland France should use designated PPF border crossings. Certain non-PPF yacht harbours may accept arrivals under the special list and advance approval. Do not automatically apply mainland French Schengen rules to overseas departments/territories.

Official sources: Official information

Pre-arrival reporting

For special non-PPF ports, the master must contact the port office for permission first and send the personnel/vessel declaration no later than 24 hours before arrival, or no later than foreign departure for a voyage under 24 hours.

Updated check | Special non-PPF yacht harbours: Obtain port admission consent first. Send the border declaration to the port office no later than 24 hours before arrival, or by departure from the previous non-Schengen port for shorter voyages. This applies only to ports on the official special list, not every French marina.

Official sources: French Customs yacht border checks · Official declaration form and deadlines

Immigration

Personnel-check reminder: confirm with the receiving authorities in the France, for every person, passport validity, nationality-based visa or prior-permission requirements, eligibility to arrive by sea, permitted stay dates, and arrangements for crew changes and leaving the vessel. Air-arrival visas, cruise-group concessions or a travel account concerning one nationality cannot be extended to a visa exemption for everyone on a private yacht. Vessel stay and personal residence permissions must be assessed separately. This section makes no blanket visa-free assurance.

Important 2026 update | European Entry/Exit System (EES): Since April 10, 2026, EES has been fully operational at the external border crossings of the 29 participating countries. Eligible non-EU short-stay travellers may need to register passport details, facial images/fingerprints and entry/exit times. Exemptions apply; applicability cannot be determined solely by the vessel's flag. Private yachts must confirm processing arrangements with the actual receiving border port; this does not mean every domestic port can provide clearance.

ETIAS status (November 3, 2026): The official EU website states that it is not yet operational and applications are not being accepted. It is not a travel authorisation currently required for purchase. Recheck once implementation dates are announced.

Official sources: EU EES participating countries · EES implementation timetable · Current ETIAS status

Vessel customs

Vessel-document reminder: prepare registration/flag documents, proof of ownership or the owner's authorisation, insurance, previous-port clearance and an inventory of goods aboard. Ask French customs whether temporary admission, leaving the vessel, repairs, crew changes, sale or conversion to commercial use require additional formalities. No duty-free period or guarantee conditions applicable to all foreign vessels have been verified. A mooring permit must not be treated as customs release.

EU vessel Temporary Admission (separate from personal permitted stays): Qualifying private yachts registered outside the EU and used mainly by eligible residents outside the EU can normally be used temporarily within the EU customs territory for 18 months, with customs duty/import VAT temporarily relieved. Taxes may become due if conditions are not met, the vessel is used commercially or it is not re-exported on time. This is not an 18-month personal visa.

Official source: EU private-boat TA FAQ

Meat, dairy, plants and animal products entering mainland France from outside the EU face declarations/restrictions according to origin and EU rules. Some plants need phytosanitary documentation. Pets must meet microchip, rabies-vaccination and health-document requirements. Check official rules by origin and item category; traveller-goods guidance is not yacht quarantine permission.

Official references: French Customs traveller-goods rules · French Customs yacht formalities

Narcotics, counterfeit goods, endangered-wildlife products, firearms, ammunition and certain medicines are prohibited or permit-controlled. Non-EU meat/dairy, plants and other controlled goods may also be restricted. Before boarding, confirm declarations and permits with French Customs by item, quantity, origin and purpose. General traveller rules do not replace yacht-specific customs processing.

Official sources: French Customs traveller-goods rules · French Customs yacht formalities

All persons aboard yachts arriving from or departing to outside Schengen require external-border checks. Normally use published maritime crossings during opening hours. Officially listed participating non-border yacht ports may receive vessels under their procedures, normally with port consent and advance vessel/personnel information. Report both entry and departure as required. Internal Schengen voyages normally do not involve external-border checks, but customs goods controls may still apply.

Official sources: French Customs non-Schengen route rules

The official information reviewed provides no uniform clearance total for all private-yacht entry/exit in mainland France. Complete Schengen external-border formalities at designated points. Participating non-border yacht harbours, berths, pilotage, waste and agents charge separately. Before leaving, confirm destination-based border declarations and customs goods procedures and check current tariffs with the actual port.

Official references: French Customs non-Schengen route rules · French Customs yacht formalities