TRAVELLING IN FRANCE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

TRAVELLING IN FRANCE

FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

Since January 1st 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union.

European Union law has thus ceased to apply to the United Kingdom. Although a

trade and cooperation agreement has been signed, Brexit means that several changes

are now in effect for travelers coming from the UK.

FOR TRIPS SHORTER

THAN 90 DAYS

British citizens who do not have a residency status in a EU member state and who wish to come to France for a

short stay (i.e. a trip shorter than 90 days during a 180-day period) or who are in transit towards another member

state or a Schengen-area state do not need a visa.

Nonetheless, when crossing the border, you need to:

• Show a valid passport for the whole duration of your stay. The passport will be punched when entering and

when leaving the Schengen area (except for cross-border workers).

• Be able to justify adequate financial resources for the duration of your stay.

• Be in possession of an insurance certificate covering the whole medical, hospital, death expenses likely to

be needed during the whole duration of your stay in France, including repatriation fees for medical reason.

The amount of financial resources needed may vary according to the type of accommodation

in France:

• If your accomodation belongs to a private individual, the traveler must present:

√ A welcome certificate (30€ to be paid with tax stamps). This certificate can be

requested by the host in the town hall of the hosting city;

√ 32€ per day for each day spent in France.

• If you are staying in a hotel or at a campsite, you must show:

√ Proof of reservation;

√ 65€ per day for each day spent in France.

• If neither of the aforementioned situations apply:

√ 120€ per day for each day spent in France.

You may justify your financial resources through any means: cash, written proof from the bank.

An animal is considered a pet if it meets all the following criteria:

• Its importation is not business-related;

• It is accompanied by its owner or by a natural person who is responsible for it, up to 5 pets per person;

• Its owner or the person responsible have the required documents in his/her possession.

Pets are subject to the following requirements:

• Dogs, cats and ferrets are subject to the requirements detailed on this page. They must meet all the following criteria:

CUSTOMS AND

HEALTH REGULATIONS

TRAVELLING WITH A PET

IN FRANCE

FOR TRIPS LONGER

THAN 90 DAYS

You need to get in touch with the French Embassy or any French consular authority to be delivered a C-visa.

BRITISH DRIVING LICENCE

IN FRANCE

French and British authorities have come to an agreement: from Monday, June 28th 2021 onward, both British

and French driving licences are recognized by the local authorities. You may drive in both countries with a valid

driving licence.

Travelers from the United Kingdom are subject to custom controls and must respect the regulations in place in

regards to taxed products for items bought in the United Kingdom (in quantity for alcohol and tobacco, in value for

other goods).

→ For more information on these goods: www.douane.gouv.fr/actualites/departs-en-vacances-la-douane-informe-

les-voyageurs

Health controls are currently in place. Importing meat, milk and dairy products from the United Kingdom is

forbidden, in any quantity whatsoever. Other animal products are allowed only if they respect the specific

conditions detailed in the following link: “importing animal products in your luggage”.

A phytosanitary control is also in application. A UK-approved phytosanitary certificate is needed for any plant or

plant-based product imported. Any plant meant for plantation must also be presented to the border checkpoint

upon arrival in the European Union. The plant must be checked in order to obtain a phytosanitary certificate to

enter. These requirements do not apply to the following five fruits: durians, coconuts, dates, bananas, pineapples.

For further reading on phytosanitary requirements, click here.

COVID-19

In regards to the global Covid-19 pandemic, travelling terms and conditions may change according to the health

situation. Please refer to the website of the Consulate General of France for regular updates: uk.ambafrance.org/

COVID-19-rules-for-travel-to-France-and-the-UK

Design & publication : SRCI - Préfecture du Nord, July 2021

– they must be identified (with a microchip implanted under the skin or a tattoo prior to July 3rd 2011) ;

– their rabies vaccine must be valid (primo-vaccination and booster shots);

– they must be accompanied by the original health certificate, established by an official veterinarian from

the United Kingdom

• Attack dogs: only class 2 attack dogs as defined by the 27 April 1999 decree are authorized, as explained here.

These dogs are the pure breed, pedigree Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (Pitbulls), Tosa

and dogs whose morphological features are comparable to the Rottweiler breed, registered in a genealogical

document. Their importation is possible providing the aforementioned criteria and providing pedigree forms

confirming the dog’s lineage are shown.

However, dogs comparable to breeds such as Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (Pitbull),

Mastiff (Boer bulls) or Tosa, but whose lineage cannot be certified by a pedigree form are considered class 1

attack dogs. Their importation is forbidden in France.

• Pet birds from the United Kingdom must be accompanied by a health certificate and by a declaration from

the birds’ owner as foreseen in appendix III in decision #2007/25/CE. Conditions are detailed here.

Any other pet up to 5 (rodents, bunnies, tropical ornamental fishes, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates,

excepted bees and crustacean) must be accompanied by a health certificate established by a practicing

veterinarian from its original country. These requirements are detailed here.

For animals which are not considered pets: any animal other than those aforementioned (or if there are more than

5 pets and/or if they are not with someone) must be presented for a veterinary control in a border checkpoint

upon entry in the EU.

Beware: Some animals (especially birds, reptiles, amphibians or some cats) may also be subject to the regulations

of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Their owner

or the person responsible for them must then be in possession of the specific CITES documents detailed here.