Planning a trip to Curaçao from France? You're in luck. As a French citizen, you can enjoy the island's beaches and colorful streets of Willemstad without a visa. But there's one requirement you can't skip: the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card.
This form trips up a lot of travelers, mostly because people confuse it with a visa or get charged by fake websites for something that's completely free. This guide clears up the confusion. You'll learn exactly what the DI Card is, why it matters for French passport holders, and how to complete it correctly before your travel day.
Let's break down the process step by step, so you arrive prepared and stress-free.
Do French citizens need a visa for Curaçao?
No. French citizens do not need a visa to enter Curaçao for short stays. As an EU national, you can stay for up to 90 days per visit.
Here's the important distinction: the DI Card is not a visa. It's a separate mandatory entry declaration that every non-resident traveler must complete, regardless of nationality. So while you skip the visa paperwork, the DI Card still applies to you.
Think of it this way-the visa question and the DI Card question are two different things. French citizens clear the first hurdle automatically. The second one requires a few minutes of your time online.
What is the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is an official online entry form issued by the Curaçao Immigration and Customs Service. It's also known as the DI Card, or by its older name, the ED Card.
The form became mandatory on October 1, 2019, when it replaced the old paper Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) Card. Today, every non-resident visitor must complete it before arriving on the island.
A few key facts French travelers should know:
- It's completed online at the official portal, dicardcuracao.com
- The form is completely free
- It takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes to finish
- You'll get a PDF confirmation by email right after submitting
The DI Card is not connected to your visa status. It's simply the way Curaçao records who is entering the country.
When should French travelers complete the DI Card?
Timing matters. You can submit your DI Card up to 7 days before departure. However, the recommended window is 24 to 48 hours before you fly, once your flight details are confirmed.
Why wait a little? If you submit too early and your flight changes, you'll need to update your travel details. Confirming your flight first saves you the hassle.
Once submitted, your DI Card stays valid from submission until your flight arrives and you're granted entry. If your flight is delayed by up to one day, your DI Card remains valid.
Here's a simple rule: complete the form after your flight is locked in, but never leave it until the airport. Some airlines check for the DI Card PDF at the departure gate before boarding.
How do French citizens fill out the Curaçao immigration form?
Filling out the Curaçao immigration form is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Go to dicardcuracao.com-the official, free portal.
- Choose to fill out a new DI Card, or retrieve your stored data if you've visited before.
- Enter your personal details: full name exactly as it appears on your passport (no nicknames), date of birth, nationality, and passport number with expiry date.
- Add your travel details: flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Enter your accommodation: the full hotel name and address, or your host's full name, address, and contact phone.
- State your intended length of stay in nights (minimum 1, maximum 90).
- Provide a valid email address.
- Review everything carefully-your name must match your passport exactly.
- Submit. Your PDF confirmation arrives by email immediately.
- Print the PDF or save it digitally to show at immigration or the airline gate.
What information do you need before you start?
Have these details ready to complete the form in one sitting:
- Your valid passport (number, country of issue, expiry date)
- A working email address
- Flight number, airline, and arrival date
- Your accommodation address or host's contact details
- Your length of stay in nights
No document uploads are required online. You'll present physical documents at immigration when you arrive.
What documents do French citizens need on arrival?
Completing the DI Card is only part of the picture. When you land at Curaçao International Airport (Hato Airport), immigration officers may ask to see several documents. Come prepared with:
- Your valid passport-the same one used to complete the DI Card
- The DI Card PDF, printed or on your phone
- A return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds (roughly USD 50 per day if staying in a hotel)
- Travel or medical insurance (strongly recommended, though not mandatory)
As a French citizen, you won't need a Dutch Caribbean short-stay visa. But having the documents above ready will make your entry smooth and quick.
Do children need their own Curaçao DI Card?
Yes. This is one of the most common mistakes travelers make. Every non-resident traveler needs their own individual DI Card-and that includes children and infants.
You cannot complete one form for the whole family. Each family member requires a separate submission. So if you're traveling with two kids, you'll fill out the form four times in total.
If a minor is traveling without both parents, immigration may also request a parental consent letter and the child's birth certificate. It's worth preparing these in advance to avoid any delays at the border.
How to avoid unofficial DI Card websites
This is where many travelers get caught out. Several unofficial websites offer to complete the DI Card for you-and charge a fee for it.
Remember: the Curaçao DI Card is free. The only official portal is dicardcuracao.com. Any site charging you for the form is a third-party service you don't need.
Before you pay for anything, double-check the web address. If you're being asked for a payment to submit the form, you're not on the official site. Protect your money and your personal data by sticking to the official portal only.
Getting ready for your trip to Curaçao
The DI Card process is simple once you understand it. As a French citizen, you don't need a visa-just the free Curaçao Digital Immigration Card, completed online before you travel.
Here's your action plan: confirm your flight, complete the DI Card at the official portal 24 to 48 hours before departure, and save the PDF confirmation to your phone or print it out. Fill out a separate form for every traveler in your group, children included. Then gather your arrival documents so you're ready for immigration.
Do these few things, and you'll breeze through the entry process. Use only the official website, prepare your PDF ahead of travel day, and your Curaçao adventure starts the moment you land.
Complete Your DI Card Before You Fly
The DI Card is free and takes 5–10 minutes at the official portal.
Complete DI Card - Free ↗Frequently asked questions
No. French citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Curaçao and can stay up to 90 days per visit. However, the DI Card is still mandatory and must be completed before arrival.
Yes. The DI Card and the ED Card are the same thing. "ED Card" is the older name, referring to the paper Embarkation-Disembarkation Card that was replaced by the digital version on October 1, 2019.
Bring your valid passport, your DI Card PDF, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds (around USD 50 per day for hotel stays). Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Yes. Every non-resident traveler needs their own individual DI Card, including children and infants. You cannot submit one form for an entire family.
Yes. The official portal to complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is dicardcuracao.com, and the form is free. Avoid any unofficial third-party sites that charge a fee for this free service.
