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Driving through France from Spain to get home

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:12pm
18 replies1252 views10 members subscribed
Sarahholland

Posts: 52

4 helpful points

Location: Denia

Joined: 1 Jan 2020

Hi

We have to drive from Denia to St Malo shortly in order to get home and out of the EU within the 90 days. I don't know what we have to do to drive through France, or even if we can, or if travelling overland we need to do anything, we have two hotels booked for overnight stays in France. We are obviously not EU citizens or residents but neither have we been in Jersey (our home) for the last 80 days. 

If anyone can advise me which website to look at to help us i would be very grateful.

Many thanks Sarah

Kimmy11

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:24pm

Kimmy11

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6869

12554 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:24pm

Hi Sarah,

The Gov.UK website suggests that people are allowed to transit France in order to return to their country of permanent residence.  However, it also seems to suggest that the period of transit cannot exceed 24 hours:

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

Yesterday, I read that the UK Government is seeking clarification on that point, but given your 90/180 time constraints, it may be worth asking the British Embassy in France for advice.  The link that I've provided above also contains information about Covid vaccination, testing and documentation requirements for France.

Kind regards,

Kim

Sarahholland

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:35pm

Sarahholland

Original Poster

Posts: 52

4 helpful points

Location: Denia

Joined: 1 Jan 2020

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:35pm

Kimmy11 wrote on Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:24pm:

Hi Sarah,

The Gov.UK website suggests that people are allowed to transit France in order to return to their country of permanent residence.  However, it also seems to suggest that the period of transit cannot exceed 24 hours:

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

Yesterday, I read that the UK Government is seeking clarification on that point, but given your 90/180 time constraints, it may be worth asking the British Embassy in France for advice.  The link that I've provided above also contains information about Covid vaccination, testing and documentation requirements for France.

Kind regards,

Kim

Thanks I’ll check the link, the issue we also have is we’re not uk citizens but I’ll pretend I am, as I think that’s what France thinks we are. We wouldn’t be spending more that 24 hours in France were it not for the ferry company changing its sailing times last minute. But I think we’ll have to overlook that part, as there’s nothing we can do. Kind regards Sarah 

Kimmy11

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:09pm

Kimmy11

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6869

12554 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:09pm

Hi Sarah,

As Crown Dependencies, the citizens of Jersey and Guernsey are British, so are you saying you don't have a British passport?  Also, are you taking the ferry from St. Malo to the UK, or direct to Jersey?  If the latter, this link may also be helpful for you:

https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Travel/pages/coronavirustraveladvice.aspx

Kind regards,

Kim

Sarahholland

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:48pm

Sarahholland

Original Poster

Posts: 52

4 helpful points

Location: Denia

Joined: 1 Jan 2020

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:48pm

Sarahholland wrote on Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:35pm:

Thanks I’ll check the link, the issue we also have is we’re not uk citizens but I’ll pretend I am, as I think that’s what France thinks we are. We wouldn’t be spending more that 24 hours in France were it not for the ferry company changing its sailing times last minute. But I think we�...

...�ll have to overlook that part, as there’s nothing we can do. Kind regards Sarah 

Hi thanks we are travelling direct to jersey from France by car from Spain. Not going to the uk. My comment about being subject to French regulations is because we’re classed as UK. And therefore they assume we are higher risk. Where in fact I’ve not been in the UK at any time in the last 10 years. I’m not sure how anyone checks how long it takes us to transit through France. Thanks Sarah 

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Sarahholland

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:52pm

Sarahholland

Original Poster

Posts: 52

4 helpful points

Location: Denia

Joined: 1 Jan 2020

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:52pm

Sarahholland wrote on Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:48pm:

Hi thanks we are travelling direct to jersey from France by car from Spain. Not going to the uk. My comment about being subject to French regulations is because we’re classed as UK. And therefore they assume we are higher risk. Where in fact I’ve not been in the UK at any time in the last 10 ...

...years. I’m not sure how anyone checks how long it takes us to transit through France. Thanks Sarah 

Hi checked the link, and unfortunately the site contradicts itself. It classes transit as essential which is good, I’ll ignore the airport lounge bit, but it tells you to isolate but we can’t . Then it tells you if your fully vaccinated you don’t have to, and then it says new rules regardless of vaccination status. We’ll take our 3 vaccination proof with us and we’ll have a pcr test 24 hours before we leave Denia and hope for the best. Kind regards Sarah 

Robert K

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 9:08pm

Posts: 36

17 helpful points

Location: Campoamor

Joined: 11 Feb 2021

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 9:08pm

A friend of mine from san miguel de salinas is on route to UK via France

at this very moment he texted me an hour ago 

he has not had a problem  however there are new restrictions

that start saturday evening I believe .that may alter things

good luck Rob

L181SKY

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 3:08pm

L181SKY

Helpful member

Posts: 410

283 helpful points

Location: Santa Pola

Joined: 15 Mar 2020

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 3:08pm

Sarahholland wrote on Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:52pm:

Hi checked the link, and unfortunately the site contradicts itself. It classes transit as essential which is good, I’ll ignore the airport lounge bit, but it tells you to isolate but we can’t . Then it tells you if your fully vaccinated you don’t have to, and then it says new rules regardle...

...ss of vaccination status. We’ll take our 3 vaccination proof with us and we’ll have a pcr test 24 hours before we leave Denia and hope for the best. Kind regards Sarah 

I would bet that as long as you download and fill in the Honour declaration cert for France. stating you have no virus and show your tickets that you are transiting straight through to home You would be fine and at the port you are on the way Out so they will let you go of course. your PCR and vax cert proof is great . You will be fine. 

Maria Whitby

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:50am

Posts: 24

11 helpful points

Location: Algorfa

Joined: 11 Oct 2021

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:50am

We were supposed to return to the U.K. from Spain, staying 2 nights in France to reach Calais. However  one 24 hour lateral flow test is required to enter France. Then another 2 - day test to enter the U.K. . However we don’t know how the tests and getting the results  work in France, in addition it would mess the driving hours to get to Calais and get into the Le Shuttle on time. So we decided to cancel the latter, and go by Ferry from Santander.

Alan mac

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:59am

Alan mac

Helpful member

Posts: 163

70 helpful points

Location: Pinoso / El Pinós

Joined: 28 Jun 2020

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:59am

Maria Whitby wrote on Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:50am:

We were supposed to return to the U.K. from Spain, staying 2 nights in France to reach Calais. However  one 24 hour lateral flow test is required to enter France. Then another 2 - day test to enter the U.K. . However we don’t know how the tests and getting the results  work in France,...

... in addition it would mess the driving hours to get to Calais and get into the Le Shuttle on time. So we decided to cancel the latter, and go by Ferry from Santander.

We are now in contact with a local pharmacy where our other property is located and they can do the test and issue a certificate 

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