It is that time of year again when many people come and visit France and stay with friends or family for less than three months. For such a type of stay in France, visitors who are third country nationals (UK, USA, Australia, etc.) must present:
•a passport valid for at least 3 months after the envisaged departure date.
•a valid visa – if required.
•evidence of sufficient resources to support themselves during their stay.
•an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death expenses including repatriation.
•proof of accommodation, called ‘attestation d’accueil’.
In short, an ‘attestation d’accueil’ is a French government form which:
•is completed and signed by the person who will be hosting guests in their home.
•is provided by the host’s local town hall.
•contains some basic information about the guests (the passport number of each person staying is needed).
•must be validated at the host’s local Hotel de Ville or Mairie before the guests travel to France.
•is filled in for each visitor, although spouses and children can be covered on the same document.
•costs 30€ to be paid in ‘timbres fiscaux’ (an online government payment method – for full details please check the French government website
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The host must send the completed ‘attestation d’accueil’ to their visitors prior to departure for it to be presented to travel authorities. Whether or not Border Control asks to see this form is hard to tell but by law it must be presented if requested.