Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas collectivity, and the records we rely on do not set out its formal relationship with the European Union, so we will not state one. What they do show is that arrival documents are as for France, and that the currency is the CFP franc, pegged to the euro. For anything that turns on EU status, ask an official source before you travel.
Entry and papers ·
Is Wallis and Futuna in the EU? Status and What It Means
Is Wallis and Futuna in the EU? It is a French overseas collectivity. What our records say on status, Schengen, entry, money and what to check.
01
A French overseas collectivity
Wallis and Futuna was made an overseas collectivity by a constitutional revision on 28 March 2003. Before that, its status was set by law no. 61-814 of 29 July 1961, which ended the territory's subordination to New Caledonia. So the short answer to "is Wallis and Futuna part of France" is that it is a French overseas collectivity with its own statute and its own customary structures.
Those structures matter. There are three customary kingdoms: Uvea, which covers all of Wallis, Sigave in the northwest of Futuna, and Alo in the southeast of Futuna and Alofi. The 1961 statute recognises the kings' authority and powers, and the State pays them an allowance.
02
How it came to France
Wallis and Futuna was a French protectorate from 1887 for Wallis and from 1888 for the two groups united, a status that lasted until 1961. A new protectorate treaty was signed on 19 May 1910. The territory was administered from New Caledonia until 1961.
In the referendum of 27 December 1959 the vote was 4,307 yes and 257 no. Wallis voted unanimously in favour, while Alo returned 84.5% and Sigave 68.6%.
03
What we can and cannot say about the EU
Searches such as "Wallis et Futuna Union européenne" and "OCT overseas countries and territories" assume a particular status. Our fact file does not contain a source for the territory's formal link to the European Union, so we are not going to assert one. If you need it, for example for customs, health cover or mobile roaming, ask the French authorities or the tourist office.
04
Entry: what the records say
Arrival documents are as for France. Non-EU passengers need a passport, and many nationals need no visa; check France-Visas for yours. UK nationals can stay visa-free for up to 90 days for business or tourism, and the passport must be valid for 6 months after departure.
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a transmission risk.
05
Customs and money
Customs rules are strict, so declare anything prohibited or dutiable. If you hope to bring kava home, note that kava is banned in metropolitan France.
The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), pegged to the euro, which is not the same as using euros. There is no exchange office at Hihifo or Vele airports, and many shops lack card terminals. The only retail bank is the Bank of Wallis and Futuna, with 3 ATMs on Wallis and 2 on Futuna, so exchange money before you arrive.
06
Everyday life for a visitor
French is the official language, and Wallisian and Futunan are in daily use. Few islanders speak English, though tourism professionals mostly do, so some French is strongly advised. Electricity is 220 V with French-type sockets, and calling the territory from France uses 00 681.
Healthcare is free for residents per the territory's own site, and serious cases are usually evacuated to Nouméa. Visitors should take insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation.
Questions people ask.
- Is Wallis and Futuna in the EU?
- Our records do not state the territory's formal EU status, so we will not assert one. It is a French overseas collectivity. For anything that depends on EU status, ask the French authorities or the tourist office.
- Is Wallis and Futuna part of France?
- It is a French overseas collectivity, a status set by a constitutional revision on 28 March 2003. Its statute dates from law no. 61-814 of 29 July 1961, and it keeps three customary kingdoms.
- Do I need a visa for Wallis and Futuna?
- Arrival documents are as for France, and many nationals need no visa. UK nationals can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Check France-Visas for your own nationality.
- Do they use the euro in Wallis and Futuna?
- The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), pegged to the euro. Many shops lack card terminals and there is no exchange office at the airports, so exchange money before you arrive.
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