Going to Québec: Formalities and administrative steps

Covid-19 : current situation Québec

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Québec. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information

Money Québec

The currency is expressed in Canadian dollars (CAD, $ CA, CAN $ - not to be confused with the US dollar). Coins of 1 and 2 CAN $, and 5, 10 and 25 ¢ (cents); bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 CAN $ (the latter are sometimes refused in some stores). Cenne, pronounced "cenne" for cent ("I don't have a cenne left" means "I'm broke"). Piastre, pronounced "piasse", is a synonym for dollar. The 25¢ coin is also known as a "trente sous". According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the exchange rate in February 2022 was : 1 CAN $ = 0.66 €; 1 € = 1.42 CAN $ (actual rates in branch).

Budget & Tips Québec

To help you plan your daily budget while you are there, here are three examples to suit everyone's financial means.

Small budget: $80 CAD per day per person (camping/hostel accommodation, meals on the run or groceries, public transportation or carpooling, free activities or less than $10 CAD).

Medium budget: $200 CAN per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodation, good food, public transportation or car, paid or package activities).

Large budget: from $400 CAN per day per person (accommodation in a more luxurious hotel or condo/chalet, good food, transportation by car, package activities/expeditions).

It isalso important to remember that most consumer goods and services are subject to a 9.975% provincial tax (QST) and a 5% national tax (GST), which are generally not included in the listed price. Also, the 15% tip must be added to the bill in restaurants and bars. Tipping cab drivers, hotel cleaners and hairdressers is also recommended (but may be less than 15%). No tips in cinemas and theaters.

As forhaggling , it is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers will sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a significant amount. In the same way, and although it is strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes accept not to charge you taxes if you pay your purchases in cash and without possibility of return...

Passport and visas Québec

Travelers from France, Belgium and Switzerland are accepted for six months and must have completed their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) application in addition to the new COVID-19 requirements. They must have a valid passport, a return ticket (ideally), and sufficient funds to ensure their stay.

Since 2016, visitors who do not require a visa must complete an ETA

(Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to travel. The ETA costs CAN$7 per person (about €5), and is valid for five years or until the passport expires. This online application collects basic personal information, just as is currently done at customs upon arrival in Canada, and results in faster border clearance. Beware, there are many fraudulent sites on the web. Some companies, without any link with the government, offer to help you apply for an AVE. But this one is very simple to do (and accessible in French). For more information: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/visiter-canada/ave.html

For any other question concerning the formalities of entering Canada and for the contact information of the Canadian embassy in France: france.gc.ca

COVID-19.

As of September 7, 2021, the country welcomes foreign nationals again, but new requirements are in effect, including proof of vaccination that will be required for some time to come. To find out everything about the requirements (they can change at any time) and to make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

Finally, be aware that if you plan to cross the U.S. border for a little getaway, you need a biometric passport. This passport allows you to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. In order to benefit from this visa waiver (ESTA), it is necessary to make an online declaration, along with a fee of US$14, for tourist stays in the United States. For more information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. Also, be sure to check out the COVID-19 entry requirements: en.visittheusa.ca/us-covid-19-travel-recommendations

Driver's license Québec

French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for a period not exceeding six months; for a longer stay, you will need an international driver's license (generally valid for one to three years). If you wish to rent a car in Quebec, you must be 21 years old, or even 25 years old for certain models, and have a credit card. A driver's license is also required for snowmobiles and quads, and a motorcycle license is mandatory to drive one.

To find out about licence requirements for different types of vehicles in one click: saaq.gouv.qc.ca/je-conduis

To find out about international licences: saaq.gouv.qc.ca/permis-conduire/permis-international

Health Québec

There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Quebec, except of course for COVID-19 which affects the whole world (see the "Passport and visas" and "Mandatory vaccines" sections of this practical information sheet for more information). Also, you should know that tap water is drinkable (unless otherwise stated) and free, even in restaurants.

Mandatory vaccination Québec

Vaccination against COVID-19 is now required and not all vaccines are accepted by the Canadian government. Other requirements may also be needed in order to be admitted to Canada. For more information and to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

Security Québec

Quebec's crime rate is considered to be one of the lowest of any province in Canada, if not North America. The notion of a "red-light district" does not exist in Quebec City and its surroundings. So there is no need to worry about women travelling alone in the region or even the rest of the province.

Time difference Québec

The time difference with the Quebec City area is 6 hours less, in summer and winter. However, the time changes in the fall and spring are not made at the same time.

Spoken languages Québec

In Quebec, the official language is French. There are, however, a few English-speaking communities in the Quebec City area, but this is not as obvious as in Montreal, for example. Many immigrants of different nationalities have also settled in the region, so you may hear languages from the four corners of the globe (Arabic, Creole, Spanish...). As for the Wendake Aboriginal community, although the Huron-Wendat speak French, they have made considerable efforts to rehabilitate their language, Wendat, which had completely disappeared. It is now taught at the early childhood centre and primary school to ensure its sustainability.

Communication Québec

Telephone coverage is excellent in the Quebec City area. However, in some more remote areas, such as the northern Charlevoix region, service may be limited. If you take out a mobile subscription in Quebec, especially with low-cost operators, check the coverage carefully as it could be limited to a few cities or a single area.

As far as wifi is concerned, finding a connection is not a problem in the Quebec City area. The airport, bus and train stations, hotel establishments (attention: luxury hotels often offer this service at an extra charge), restaurants, cafés, bars, cultural venues, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, most of the time free of charge. There is also the free public network Zap Québec, available in several cities in the region as well as on its south shore in and around Lévis (moijezap.org).

Libraries, some hotels and cafés also provide computers, sometimes free of charge. But Internet terminals and self-service computers are gradually disappearing from the landscape...

Electricity and measurements Québec

110 volt alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. The plugs are flat like in the US (not round like in Europe). Bring an adaptor so that you can use European appliances such as a shaver or hair dryer, and check that they accept this voltage. You should also bring a current transformer.

When it comes to measurements, things are not so good. Although Quebec adopted the metric system some 40 years ago, Quebecers also use the old measures (inch, foot, pound, ounce, quart, gallon, etc.). To see more clearly: metric-conversions.org/en/

As for shoe sizes, a woman's 38 corresponds to 7 (which is equivalent to 39.5 for men). For clothing sizes, women's 40 is 12; men's 44 is 34.

Luggage Québec

Summers are hot. However, air-conditioning and cool evenings in the countryside or in the mountains require woolens and windproofing. Don't forget a bathing suit, a backpack for hiking and mosquito repellent. In spring and autumn, it is almost imperative to bring a lined raincoat with you and in winter, bring a hat, mittens and scarf as well as an anorak, warm clothing and furry boots.