The British Embassy have confirmed that UK passport holders travelling to France will now have to waste time and money filling in Brexit-caused paperwork.
The measure applies to private visits to friends and family in France, where travellers do not have hotel or Airbnb accommodation booked.
An online user said: “Please note UK passport holders are now third-country nationals, as a direct consequence of Brexit.
“Therefore, please do not vent your anger at the French government for this law. Find a Brexiter instead.”
No more “spontaneous” weekend visits
The new measure has only recently been added to French law.
It requires Brits travelling to France to buy an attestation at least a month before their trip – and it costs 30 euros.
Twitter user Dr Sally Osborn said: “No more spontaneous weekend visits”.
According to The Independent, the document needed is called “attestation d’accueil” and can be obtained at local town halls (Mairie).
The French civil service said this applies to “foreigners” who comes to France as tourists for less than three months.
“This document is called acceptance certificate and is established by the person who will welcome him at his home during the stay in France,” a spokesperson said.
“The certificate is issued if the host meets certain conditions.”
These include passport details, insurance coverage of at least £26,000.
Officials then issue a document that must be sent to the traveller, for them to show it on arrival in France.
UK government had previously changed rules for EU travellers
The French regulations come after the UK government changed the rules for amber countries, where the risk of Covid is moderate. This removed the “Calais corridor”, which was also being used by Brits coming back to the UK.
Last year, France was placed on the list of countries needing quarantine upon arrival in Britain, drivers from neighbouring countries did not have to quarantine if they travelled through France but did not stop.
Now, the UK government website says: “If you are travelling to England in a private vehicle, the rules of the countries and territories you drive through apply.
“For example, if you drive through an amber list country, then you must follow the amber list rules when you arrive in England.”
Almost all European countries are currently on the amber list, which means travellers need one Covid test before they travel to the UK, and at least two tests from private providers upon their arrival. The cheapest are around £100 each in the UK – more than many other countries, some of which provide them for free.
Travellers are also asked to quarantine for 10 days when arriving to the UK, even if they are fully vaccinated. This gets prolonged to two weeks if the tests and their results do not reach the travellers.
What the government told TLE
A UK government spokesperson said: “British nationals should check FCDO travel advice for details of entry requirements and travel restrictions that may be in place because of Covid-19. Currently, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to France.”
“The UK Government is seeking urgent clarity from the French Government on healthcare insurance requirements for British tourists staying in private accommodation.
“All British nationals should continue to ensure they have a valid EHIC or GHIC and obtain travel insurance that meets all their needs when travelling to the EU.”
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