I'm planning a trip to Paris with my partner this summer and I'm not sure if my ID card will be enough or if they'll definitely ask for a passport. My ID card is valid, but I've never traveled outside Spain with it before. Can someone who's been there recently tell me what I need?
I went to Paris recently and got in without any problem with just my ID card, so don't worry. Since Spain is in the EU, a valid ID card is enough for France - you don't need a passport. Just make sure your document isn't expired and that it's the physical ID card, not just a photo. Is your ID card up to date or does it expire soon?
With a valid ID card, you have more than enough to enter France. Since both countries are EU members and part of the Schengen area, there are no border controls as such, so nobody's going to ask you for any additional documentation when crossing. What really matters is that your ID card is in good condition - no tears, damaged pages, or illegible information - because officials can reject it if it's too worn, even if it's technically still valid.
My partner traveled to Paris a couple of years ago without a passport and without the slightest problem; it was so straightforward that we barely noticed she was entering another country. The ID card is the standard travel document within the EU, so there's nothing weird or complicated about it. The only thing I'd recommend is making a photocopy or keeping a digital photo just in case, not because you'll need it at the border, but if you lose the original during your trip and need an ID at a police station or something like that. For hotels, museums, and restaurants, your ID card is more than sufficient.
Your ID is completely sufficient, but what nobody mentions is that it's a good idea to carry a photo of your ID on your phone or printed just in case, because some places (hostels, hotels, banks) ask for it as additional proof and it's faster than digging around for the physical document. Also, make sure your ID doesn't expire during your trip, because even though technically it's still valid, some establishments can be pretty strict about that.
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