Sri Lanka guide · Practical advice
Formalities before departure
Formalities are simple when done at the right time. Here's what to check before flying.
Information verified on July 19, 2026
Start readingPhoto Thilina Alagiyawanna · Pexels License
By Mathieu, from Sri Lanka
For a trip to Sri Lanka with a French passport, the ETA must be requested before departure. This electronic authorization remains mandatory, even when it is free. The rules may change: this guide gives the current framework, but the official portal remains your last check before booking.
The essentials
What to have before departure
ETA
Apply in the right place
Directly use the official Sri Lankan portal. Intermediary sites often present themselves as visa services: they can add fees and complicate exchanges. Keep the ETA confirmation accessible on your phone and in copy, along with your stay information.
Prepare calmly
Health, insurance and arrival
Health topics are not a one-size-fits-all list. France Diplomatie recommends obtaining medical advice before departure, having solid medical and repatriation coverage and traveling with the necessary treatments in their original packaging, accompanied by the prescription when useful. Recommendations change depending on your state of health, the duration of the trip and the regions visited.
Frequently asked questions
Answers worth keeping before you leave.
Do you need a visa to go to Sri Lanka with a French passport?
For a tourist trip, an ETA, the Sri Lankan electronic authorization, must be obtained before departure. As of July 19, 2026, it is free for a 30-day tourist stay with a French passport, but it remains mandatory. Always check the official website before booking.
What passport validity do I need for Sri Lanka?
The passport must be valid for at least six months after entering the country. Also keep with you the ETA authorization, the return or onward ticket and the elements requested to justify the stay.
Is ETA the same as a visa on arrival?
The ETA is an electronic authorization to be requested before departure. The terms are changing, which is why you must refer to the official Sri Lankan portal rather than an intermediary or old information found online.
What to plan for health before departure?
Seek advice from a healthcare professional early, check your medical and repatriation insurance, and travel with your treatments in their original packaging and the prescription if necessary. Recommendations depend on your personal situation.
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Write to usGuide Sri Lanka · Practical advice
Formalities before departure
Formalities are simple when done at the right time. Here's what to check before flying.
Photo Thilina Alagiyawanna · Pexels License
For a trip to Sri Lanka with a French passport, the ETA must be requested before departure. This electronic authorization remains mandatory, even when it is free. The rules may change: this guide gives the current framework, but the official portal remains your last check before booking.
The essentials
What to have before departure
ETA
Apply in the right place
Directly use the official Sri Lankan portal. Intermediary sites often present themselves as visa services: they can add fees and complicate exchanges. Keep the ETA confirmation accessible on your phone and in copy, along with your stay information.
Prepare calmly
Health, insurance and arrival
Health topics are not a one-size-fits-all list. France Diplomatie recommends obtaining medical advice before departure, having solid medical and repatriation coverage and traveling with the necessary treatments in their original packaging, accompanied by the prescription when useful. Recommendations change depending on your state of health, the duration of the trip and the regions visited.
Questions fréquentes
Les réponses à garder avant le départ.
Do you need a visa to go to Sri Lanka with a French passport?
For a tourist trip, an ETA, the Sri Lankan electronic authorization, must be obtained before departure. As of July 19, 2026, it is free for a 30-day tourist stay with a French passport, but it remains mandatory. Always check the official website before booking.
What passport validity do I need for Sri Lanka?
The passport must be valid for at least six months after entering the country. Also keep with you the ETA authorization, the return or onward ticket and the elements requested to justify the stay.
Is ETA the same as a visa on arrival?
The ETA is an electronic authorization to be requested before departure. The terms are changing, which is why you must refer to the official Sri Lankan portal rather than an intermediary or old information found online.
What to plan for health before departure?
Seek advice from a healthcare professional early, check your medical and repatriation insurance, and travel with your treatments in their original packaging and the prescription if necessary. Recommendations depend on your personal situation.
Sources utiles