Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its Smartraveller advice for France on 10 July 2026, explicitly warning of “delays at border crossings” linked to the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ongoing internal security measures. The notice – rated ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ – reminds travellers that France maintains reinforced controls at its land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, and that ID checks can be carried out anywhere in the country. Australian nationals are urged to confirm whether they need a Schengen visa and to factor in extra time on arrival at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle or at land frontiers. For corporate mobility teams the advisory matters because insurers and risk departments often use Smartraveller levels when authorising duty travel. Employees transiting through France en route to other Schengen states could encounter longer queues as officers capture biometrics under EES. The update also flags frequent strikes that can disrupt public transport and recommends contingency planning for rail and domestic flights. Australian (and by extension other non-EU) firms should ensure staff carry printed proof of hotel bookings, return tickets and travel insurance – documents French officials increasingly request during spot checks.
