Returning to your 2nd home, or home to be in Spain - Page 4

Grannyrose wrote on Sun May 17, 2020 10:51pm:

Come on Dave.

That chap simply sent a message to the forum to say he had driven down to Spain from the UK and arrived safely,

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I am very much aware that you badly want to come over to your place in Spain but that chap was not in any way trying to cause you problems. If he got into Spain last night ( Saturday) maybe you should aim to do the same next week. Remember to bring your NIE. If you are stopped ,have a translated explanation with you Incase of a problem. 

I believe you owe that man an apology. You are at your wits end, he meant absolutely no harm. I bet he wishes that he had never bothered to post his arrival. 

Come on Dave.  Everything will work out for you I hope. Yes, it’s true, it is possible that a border guard could cause you hassle but you must remain calm and say that you and your family are simply going home.  Good luck and have a very safe journey.

Dave mackallen wrote on Sat May 16, 2020 12:37pm:

Just a thought, not to concerned with opening up for tourist, but to let the people who have homes and paying bills there and also people like ourselves who dont have a home here in the uk anymore

Just want to return and get the residency I booked before this pandemic, the spanish government should realise we are a special case ....

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Dave

Kevman wrote on Mon May 18, 2020 10:57am:

I am led to believe you can cross the channel and drive through France as long as you have permanent residency and you have to show it every time the official authorities ask. Non residents will not be allowed into France.

jim73 wrote on Mon May 18, 2020 11:14am:

Again in my experience France seems the most relaxed about things(or maybe i  have been lucky again with guard!!)..Just one border guard at Dover,oassport check & through,no resedencia or NIE

Kevman wrote on Mon May 18, 2020 11:30am:

Lucky Jim it is then.😎

John1604 wrote on Mon May 18, 2020 2:20pm:

Hi Jim

Coming late to this topic, but in our experience - my husband and I travelled home by car from La Zenia on 19 April 2020 to Yorkshire.  We had to travel back for my husbands work.

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We had been in Spain since 8 March. and were well aware of the seriousness of their lockdown.  Entering into France we were absolutely astounded at the difference travelling the motorways and using French services.  All were open for hot and cold food, plenty of people milling about.  On site shops also open.  We stayed in an Airbnb in France - a lock up and leave type studio apartment.   In Dijon where we stayed overnight, it was lively with people and traffic - completely different to small towns in Spain that were mainly deserted.

We had heard so many fear filled stories from friends and neighbours in Spain, we left at 5am in the morning and didn't tell anyone we were going back to the UK.  We left like thieves in the night and fully expected to be returned to La Zenia that day.

Just thought I would share our actual experience of driving through Spain and France

Christine

John1604 wrote on Mon May 18, 2020 2:20pm:

Hi Jim

Coming late to this topic, but in our experience - my husband and I travelled home by car from La Zenia on 19 April 2020 to Yorkshire.  We had to travel back for my husbands work.

Read more...

We had been in Spain since 8 March. and were well aware of the seriousness of their lockdown.  Entering into France we were absolutely astounded at the difference travelling the motorways and using French services.  All were open for hot and cold food, plenty of people milling about.  On site shops also open.  We stayed in an Airbnb in France - a lock up and leave type studio apartment.   In Dijon where we stayed overnight, it was lively with people and traffic - completely different to small towns in Spain that were mainly deserted.

We had heard so many fear filled stories from friends and neighbours in Spain, we left at 5am in the morning and didn't tell anyone we were going back to the UK.  We left like thieves in the night and fully expected to be returned to La Zenia that day.

Just thought I would share our actual experience of driving through Spain and France

Christine