Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has refreshed its Smartraveller guidance for France, highlighting increased border controls and the possibility of localised curfews in protest-hit cities. The advisory, dated 20 October, retains the ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ level but adds new language about transport disruptions and visa-rule awareness under the forthcoming EU Entry/Exit System. Key points for Australian corporates include: (1) expect identity checks at borders with Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy; (2) monitor local media for curfew announcements; (3) avoid demonstration areas, which may turn violent without warning. The notice also reminds travellers that most French visas must be obtained outside France via the France-Visas portal. Although aimed at Australians, the update is often mirrored by other Anglophone governments and influences corporate risk ratings used by multinationals. Travel-risk providers may therefore raise their threat levels, affecting insurance premiums and employer duty-of-care obligations. DFAT advises travellers to follow @AusAmbFR on X for real-time alerts and to register trips using its online portal, ensuring they receive SMS notifications if the security environment deteriorates.
