Paperwork… it’s not the most exciting part of preparing a trip, but it’s a mandatory step to leave with peace of mind. Left until the last minute, it can turn your adventure into a headache. That’s exactly why, once it’s done, the real preparation can begin! And the good news: once it’s done, it’s done for good.
ID documents Insurance Driving licence Safety Vaccines and more
How to get properly organised administratively?
A solid checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything before you go!
Travelling outside the European Union
Requirements vary a lot from one country to another:
- Biometric passport required (often valid for at least 6 months after your entry date).
- Visa required in some countries (tourist, work, long stay…).
- Electronic travel authorisation (e.g. ESTA for the USA, eTA for Canada).
For reliable, up-to-date information, always check your government’s official travel-advice website.
It’s best to see a doctor specialised in tropical medicine three months before departure. This gives you time to get all the required vaccine doses and boosters so your trip goes smoothly!
About travel insurance:
- Under 3 months: travel insurance is strongly recommended. Some banks include it automatically.
- Over 3 months: it becomes mandatory. Your home country’s public health cover usually stops applying, and costs abroad (hospitalisation, repatriation) can be very high.
In the “Insurance” section, we share tips on which policy to pick!
An international driving permit is often required. It can take a long time to get (sometimes over 6 months), so plan ahead as much as possible.
Tip
If you’re short on time, have your licence translated by a certified translator, or apply for the free international driving permit through your country’s official service.
Travelling within the European Union
If you’re an EU resident, a valid national ID card is enough in most EU and Schengen countries. Just make sure it stays valid until your return date, not only your departure date.
European residents follow a vaccination schedule that lets them move freely within Europe without issues. Still, stay cautious – for example with tap water in some countries.
If you’re heading to the EU or Switzerland, request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at least 15 days before departure. It covers urgent medical care under local rules.
Before leaving, contact your bank to check the guarantees included with your card (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, etc.):
- Liability cover abroad
- Trip cancellation / changes
- Medical assistance and repatriation
- Lost/stolen luggage
- Legal assistance
If you have a French or European driving licence, it’s more than enough, of course!
Safety: register with your government’s traveller service
Many foreign ministries offer a free traveller-registration service that lets you:
- Receive safety alerts by SMS or email if the situation in the country changes.
- Make it easier for authorities to reach you or your relatives in a crisis.
Go further
Register with your country’s traveller-safety service before you leave – it’s free and takes only a few minutes.