FAQs about travel rights in Europe while on a France WHV

A Working Holiday Visa allows you to live, work, and travel abroad. During your France working holiday, you can visit many other countries too. France borders 8 other countries, it would be a shame to not take advantage of their proximity. Let’s take a closer look at some questions that you might have with regards to travel within Europe.

Schengen Area vs European Union: what’s the difference?

The Schengen Area is a zone of free movement for residents of member countries. Once inside the Area, you will no longer be subject to any border controls. Most EU countries are also Schengen countries, and vice versa.

The European Union is an alliance of European countries founded with the goal of ensuring shared peace, security, and economic cooperation on the continent. Whether a country is a part of the EU or not is less relevant for travel purposes than its Schengen membership status.

• In Schengen but not the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
• In the EU but not Schengen: Cyprus, and Ireland
• In neither: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, the UK, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine

Can I leave and re-enter France whenever I want?

Yes. As a WHV holder, you can leave and re-enter France as many times as you wish, from anywhere in the world. There is no concept of definitive departure from France for WHV holders, and no one at the airport will be asking you if you plan to come back. As long as your WHV is valid, you have the right to come back.

Can I travel anywhere in Europe?

While you have the right to live and work only in France as a WHV holder, you can certainly travel to other countries for leisure as a visitor. France is a member country of the Schengen Area. That means you can freely travel to any other country in the Schengen Area, as there are no border controls between Schengen countries. It is important to remember, however, that outside of France, you would be a simple tourist/visitor. Here are all the countries in the Schengen Area:

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria*, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania*, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

*As of 31 March 2024, only air and sea controls have been lifted. Land crossings are still subject to border controls.

For European countries that are not in the Schengen Area, you will need to check the exact entry rights for your specific nationality. This is because these countries have their own border controls, fully separate from the rules of France and the Schengen Area. Here are the European countries not covered by the Schengen Area:

• Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Ireland, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, the UK, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine

Non-Europeans must carry their passport on them during travel, it is the only accepted form of ID. Driver’s licenses or other types of ID’s are not accepted.

For Canadians only: If you have extended your working holiday in France via an autorisation provisoire de séjour, it is important to bring that with you too when you travel. You may be asked to show it, and at that point the WHV in your passport would have already expired.

Do all countries in Europe use the euro?

No. A country’s choice of currency is not always synonymous with membership in the EU or the Schengen Area. Consider exchanging some currency before you go to the following European countries that are outside of the Eurozone:

• In Schengen: Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland
• Not in Schengen: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, the UK, and Ukraine

Can I live and work in another country with my France WHV?

No. As mentioned earlier, you have authorization to work and reside only in France. If you want to work or reside in another country in Europe (Schengen or not), you need to obtain a visa for that country.

Canadian readers can also check out our article Where can Canadians go via International Experience Canada (IEC)?

How long can I stay in other Schengen countries as a France WHV holder?

When visiting other Schengen countries, your status is that of a simple tourist. Tourists are permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180 day period (not counting days in France on a long-stay visa, such as the WHV). If you want to stay longer than 90 days elsewhere, you will need to obtain a long-stay visa there.