With travel flows now fully restored after the pandemic, French tourism bosses are expecting a good year in 2025.
The French capital - usually the nation's number one tourist hotspot - had an atypical summer in 2024 as it hosted the Olympics and Paralympics, leading to many non-sporty tourists staying away.
However things will be back to normal in 2025 and Paris is once again expecting big visitor numbers. Booking in advance for popular tourist sites is highly recommended.
So here are the changes to expect if you are travelling to or from France in 2025;
EU visa and passport changes
First a caveat - and it's quite a big one - these changes were supposed to be introduced in 2022, then in 2023, then in November 2024. They have been repeatedly delayed because of a lack of infrastructure and fears of border chaos, especially at the UK-France border.
The changes are now set to be introduced in 2025 - EES in the first half of the year and then ETIAS six months later. There is, however, no guarantee that they won't be delayed again.
You can find a full explanation of the changes HERE, but here's what they mean in brief;
EES - Entry & Exit System, this is basically enhanced passport scanning, with the passenger's fingerprints and facial scans required. The first time that a passenger travels after the introduction, they will be required to complete EES 'pre-registration' at their port, airport of station of departure.
These checks will apply only when crossing an EU external border, not for travel within the EU/EEA itself, and do not apply to anyone travelling on an EU/EEA passport, or anyone with residency in an EU/EEA country (ie a holder of a carte de séjour or visa).
ETIAS - this one mainly affects non-EU nationals travelling to an EU country on holiday. It does not apply to anyone travelling on an EU/EEA passport, or anyone who has a visa or residency permit for an EU/EEA country.
It is a visa waiver, which must be applied for online in advance. Once granted it is valid for three years - it costs €7 but is free for over 70s and under 18s. It is in essence very similar to the ESTA visa waiver required to visit the USA.
UK travel
The EU's extra visas and passport checks might be fraught with uncertainty, but UK plans to introduce an extra visa waiver have already begun and are due to be rolled out to everyone in 2025.
The UK's ETA is very similar to the EU's planned ETIAS scheme (and to the ESTA visa which has been required for years in order to visit the USA) - a £10 visa waiver that must be applied for online in advance, and then lasts for two years.
It is already required for travellers from some nations, but in 2025 the rollout is due to be completed.
From January 8th it will be required for all non-EU nationals entering the UK (with the exception of anyone travelling on a UK passport), and then from April 2nd it will also be required for all EU nationals, with the exception of anyone travelling on a Irish passport.
By the time the rollout is complete, an ETA will be required for anyone entering the UK, for any reason, unless they are travelling on a UK or Irish passport. Dual nationals should note that you are treated according to the passport you are using for travel - so if you are a Franco-British dual national but are using your French passport, you will need an ETA.
Full details HERE.
New flights
It's not all bad news, however, dozens of airlines are launching new flights to and from France in 2025, with Nîmes airport in southern France seeing a lot of new routes, plus several new low-cost airlines offering transatlantic routes. Find the full list HERE.
Trains
French rail unions are currently locked in conflict with the government over what they describe as the 'privatisation' of the French freight network. They have called a 'renewable' strike from December 11th, which could continue into the New Year if no compromise can be reached.
There are also some major works planned on the Paris-Orléans line, no passenger trains will run from 9.30am and 5.30pm daily Monday-Friday between Paris and Orléans from April 2025 until February 2026, for upgrade works on the line. Services will be replaced by buses.
You might also see some 'tiny trains' - an electric mini train known as a Draisy will be tested in Strasbourg and Alsace through 2025, with the services gradually expanding if the trials are successful. The tiny trains are intended to be used on smaller local lines and the eventual plan is to roll them out throughout the country by 2026.
Driving
The tolls charged on French autoroutes are reviewed in February, and it is expected that prices on most highways will rise, albeit the increase is usually capped by the government at two percent.
The péages (tollbooths) are also changing, with an expansion of 'free-flow' tollbooths, where drivers go straight through and then pay later, either online or at the tabac.
It's worth being aware of the French public holiday calendar, as roads can be very busy around holiday weekends.
READ ALSO France's 2025 public holidays
Tourist tax
France's taxe de séjour (tourist tax) has been in place since 1910, but in 2025 several local authorities will increase the amount charged to tourists for accommodation.
The tax works on a sliding scale ranging from 20 centimes per person per night for one-star hotels and campsites up to €4.80 per person per night for the grandest hotels, known as 'palaces'.
The exact rate is decided by local authorities - Paris has a slightly more expensive rate, going from 65 centimes for one-star accommodation up to €15.60 per person per night for those staying in a 'palace' hotel (where room rates are about €1,000 a night).
The tax is usually charged to visitors on arrival at a hotel, while Airbnb adds the price of the tax to the total cost when booking. It is then up to tourist businesses to pass the tax on to local authorities, who spend it on local services.
READ MORE: How France's tourist tax works
Cruise ships
The mayor of Nice has announced plans to ban (from July 2025) large cruise ships, with hopes of decreasing over-tourism and environmental issues. These include ships with a capacity for more than 900 passengers, which are over 190 metres in length.
READ MORE: Is France moving towards a ban on cruise ships?
Paris
And if you're planning to visit Paris there are a couple of things to be aware of
Paris car ban: Owners of older vehicles will no longer be permitted to drive in Paris or the capital's inner suburbs for most of the week from January 1st, 2025, as a repeatedly delayed car ban finally comes into force in the French capital. Don't forget that the 'car ban' in the central four arrondissements of the capital is already in effect (although this one has a lot of exemptions).
Capital public transport: Wide ranging changes to the prices for public transport tickets in and around Paris are expected to effect from January 2nd, 2025, including simplification of the transport zones, a change in the tourist ticket and price hikes.
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