Travel from the UK to France: British citizens can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU

Thanks Cheryl.  For all of us who have relied on our right to return to our country of habitual residence throughout the Covid pandemic, this is a significant change in rules and will surely impact some UK citizens, who went to the UK for the festive season, trying to return to their permanent homes in Spain.  The fact that the French government hasn't officially announced this yet, is especially poor.

"From now on, border guards should no longer consider as a compelling reason the fact, for a British national beneficiary of the [Brexit] withdrawal agreement residing in a Member State other than France, to transit through France to regain his domicile,” it said.

"Although the French government hasn't made an official announcement about the rule change, the document and Eurotunnel statement says the ban does not apply to British people living in France, or people from the U.K. that also hold an EU passport through dual nationality, BUT IT DOES APPLY TO BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING OUTSIDE FRANCE IN THE EU."  

So anyone who has return journeys to Spain via EuroTunnel will have to make alternative arrangements, but presumably the same rules apply to Brittany Ferries too?  Let's hope the French authorities make an official announcement sooner rather than later.

Kind regards,

Kim

According to the Daily Mail the French Interior Ministry has said that Britons with documents can transit France

Hi

I am booked to return home to Spain via Brittany Ferries on Tuesday 4th Jan 22. The crossing is Portsmouth to Santander, therefore not transiting France. Thus far I have not heard from Brittany Ferries of any problems. I am a Spanish Resident and have my TIE card with me. Fingers crossed I get back okay.  I will let you know if and when I get back.

Kindest Regards

Neil

Hi Neil,

Ferries direct to Spain should be unaffected.  It's the UK to France crossings that I would expect to be a problem with the introduction of France's new rule.  Good to read David's post that the French Interior Ministry say this doesn't affect people transiting France to return to their permanent homes in other EU countries, but it would be good to see official confirmation that specifically states this applies to UK citizens resident in the EU 🤔

Kind regards, 

Kim

Left hand and right hand comes to mind.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10355057/Brits-homes-EU-TURNED-AWAY-Eurotunnel-Kent-Macrons-Covid-crackdown.html 

Thanks Cheryl.

This is the latest update from Gov.UK:

"Transiting through France from the UK

The French authorities confirmed on 30 December that UK nationals who are resident in other EU Member States and who have travelled to the UK for the Christmas period will be able to transit France over the New Year period in order to return home to their country of residence.

Transit for less than 24 hours in the international zone of an airport is listed under “essential reasons” to travel."

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements

I wonder whether the French government´s "tolerance" of transiting UK citizens, resident in the EU, will be communicated to their border guards?!

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi Kim

You would hope so, but they are a French company with French crews. Guilt by association? LOL. ( Just a tongue in cheek comment. No offence intended to anyone.)

Kind Regards

Neil

this has now changed as of this morning on Sky News

France has suspended transit ban allowing Britons to pass through the country to hoes in other EU nations.

Hi Val,

Yes, although the French government has said it is only "temporarily" lifting the ban on UK citizens transiting France by road, and it has given no date of when it will reinstate the ban.  As I suggested in another thread, people planning to drive through France after the end of next week need to keep an eye on developments, in case the ban is reinstated with little notice.

(For completeness, UK citizens are still allowed to transit France by air, so long as they stay airside and don't exceed 24 hours in-country.)

Kind regards, 

Kim