Eligibility for entry and exit At present, citizens of the following countries can use the PARAFE gates for both entering and exiting the
Schengen area, provided that they are aged 18 years or over and hold valid
biometric passports. •
Andorra •
Argentina •
Australia •
Chile •
Canada •
EU/EEA •
Israel •
Japan •
Mexico •
Monaco •
New Zealand •
Peru •
San Marino •
Singapore •
South Korea •
Switzerland •
United Kingdom •
United States Prior to 30 March 2019, only
EU/EEA and
Swiss biometric passport holders could use the PARAFE gates. On 30 March 2019, eligibility was extended to
Andorran,
Monegasque and
San Marinese biometric passport holders. On 31 December 2020, eligibility was further extended to
Australian,
Canadian,
Japanese,
New Zealand,
Singaporean,
South Korean and
United States biometric passport holders, and continued for
British passport holders after the end of the
Brexit transition period. On 30 June 2023, eligibility was further extended to
Argentine,
Chilean,
Mexican,
Israeli and
Peruvian biometric passport holders.
Eligibility for entry only (minors) Minors aged 12–17 who hold a valid biometric passport from the above table are also eligible to use the gates on arrival into Schengen territory, but not on departure because the French authorities have strict rules about unaccompanied minors leaving the country.
Eligibility for exit only On 30 June 2023, eligibility on exit of the Schengen area was extended to all adults (aged 18 years or over), without condition of citizenship. Travellers remain subjected to the possession of a valid biometric passport. As of July 2023, this means passport holders from the following countries can use PARAFE: •
Albania •
Algeria •
Azerbaijan •
Bahamas •
Barbados •
Benin •
Bosnia and Herzegovina •
Brazil •
Cameroon •
China •
East Timor •
Ecuador •
Georgia •
Ivory Coast •
Kazakhstan •
Kuwait •
Lebanon •
Malaysia •
Maldives •
Morocco •
Moldova •
Montenegro •
North Macedonia •
Nepal •
Oman •
Panama •
Paraguay •
Philippines •
Qatar •
Russia •
Rwanda •
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines •
Saint Kitts and Nevis •
Serbia •
Taiwan •
Tajikistan •
Tanzania •
Thailand •
Turkmenistan •
Turkey •
United Arab Emirates •
Uganda •
Ukraine •
Uruguay •
Uzbekistan •
Vatican •
Zimbabwe Optional nature The PARAFE system is not mandatory. Travellers can choose to have their travel documents manually checked by a border guard at the checkpoint. ==Operation==