France travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealanders do not need a visa for tourist or business stays in France of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area. This applies to the whole Schengen zone, so days spent in Italy, Spain or Germany count against the same 90-day limit.

From 2027, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying. ETIAS is an online application, not a visa, and is expected to cost about €7 for three years. Apply before booking flights; the process is meant to take minutes, but allow time for processing.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area. Carry proof of travel insurance and enough funds for your stay; border officers can ask for them.

For stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, no visa is needed. You enter as a visa‑free visitor. The 90 days are counted across all Schengen countries, not just France, so track your days carefully if you also visit neighbours.

From 2027, ETIAS will be mandatory for visa‑free travellers. It is an electronic authorisation linked to your passport, valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Apply online before you travel; there is no on‑arrival option.

At border control, have your return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds ready. Officials can ask for them, though they rarely do for short stays. For longer stays, work, study or family visits, you need a different visa; check with the French consulate well ahead.

New Zealand has an embassy in Paris. It handles consular services for French territory and can assist with lost passports, emergencies and legal issues. For routine visa or immigration questions, contact the French authorities instead.

If you need help, call the embassy or the 24/7 New Zealand consular emergency line. For non‑urgent matters, email or visit by appointment. The embassy is in the 7th arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower; check the official website for current hours and services.

As a rough 2026 estimate, budget NZ$250–350 per person per day for a mid‑range trip: NZ$150–200 for a hotel, NZ$80–120 for meals, and the rest for transport, tickets and incidentals. Paris costs more; smaller towns and the countryside cost less.

Flights from New Zealand to Paris typically cost NZ$1,500–2,500 return in economy, depending on season and routing. Book early for summer and Christmas. Within France, high‑speed TGV trains are the efficient way between cities; book ahead for lower fares.

Use the cost of travel in France page for a full breakdown by city and season.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to France. Most routes connect through Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok) or the Middle East (Dubai, Doha), with a typical total travel time of 24–30 hours including the stopover. Auckland to Paris is about 18,000 km.

From Paris, domestic flights and the TGV rail network reach all major regions. For the south, flying to Nice or Marseille saves time over a long train ride. Use the flight‑time planner to compare options from your home city.

Book well in advance for the European summer (June–August) and Christmas. Shoulder seasons (April–June, September–October) often have better fares and weather.

France uses plugs of types C and E, with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency 50 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs and 230 V, so you will need an adapter for French sockets, but your devices will work without a voltage converter.

Carry a universal adapter. Many hotels have USB ports, but not always European sockets. If you bring appliances from other regions, check the voltage before plugging in.

Service is included in the bill by law, so tipping is not required. For good service, round up the bill or leave 5–10 % in cash. In restaurants, a few euros is appreciated; in taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is common.

Tipping is not expected in cafés or for counter service. In hotels, leave €1–2 per night for housekeeping if you wish. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases and markets.

The EU‑wide emergency number is 112, free from any phone. For medical emergencies, call 15 (SAMU); for police, 17; for fire, 18. For deaf or hard‑of‑hearing callers, text 114. English‑speaking operators are usually available on 112.

For consular help, contact the New Zealand embassy in Paris or the 24/7 emergency line. Keep your passport and travel insurance details accessible. For non‑urgent police matters, go to the nearest police station (commissariat).

Do New Zealanders need a visa for France? No, for short stays up to 90 days in any 180‑day period within the Schengen area. From 2027, you will need an ETIAS authorisation.

How much does a trip to France cost in NZD? Budget NZ$250–350 per day for a mid‑range trip, plus NZ$1,500–2,500 for return flights. Costs vary by city and season.

Where is the nearest New Zealand embassy in France? The New Zealand embassy is in Paris. It provides consular services for all of France.

Entry requirements and ETIAS details are based on official government travel advice and the French authorities. Check the latest before you travel, as rules can change.