UK-France travel: which documents are needed?

Travel between the UK and France is once again possible, without the need to quarantine at either side. This is the case for people travelling from or to England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

However, travel companies still have certain extra requirements in place, which we break down here.

Travel rules are not dependent on nationality, but rather where people are travelling from. For example, British citizens living in the US are not currently permitted to travel to France (unless they are residents returning home) due to the ongoing travel ban with certain non-EU countries including the USA, however US citizens living long-term in the UK are allowed to enter.

Air travel

Companies such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2 are offering flights between different locations in the UK and France, although less regularly than before the coronavirus pandemic.

None of the airlines that The Connexion contacted, including Ryanair, Jet2 and Easyjet, mentioned any need for passengers to carry extra documentation with them, with the exception of completing the British government's Public Health Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before travellers return to the UK.

This form, which includes details of your trip and contact details, was previously used in connection with the UK's mandatory quarantine but is still being asked for despite the quarantine having ended on Friday last week for travellers from France.

You will have to show a completed form when you arrive at the UK border, on a printed copy or on your phone.

The UK government says it will use this information to contact you if you or someone you travelled with develops coronavirus symptoms.

Wearing a mask is mandatory in all airports and on all flights and you may notice other small changes, for example on Ryanair flights if you want to use the toilet you must ask and it is forbidden to queue up to use it.

One passenger known to the Connexion team who flew Ryanair between London and Nice on July 3 was not required to provide any extra documentation.

The passenger also reported that the flight was full, and that social distancing rules were not in place during the flight. It was possible to order some snacks and drinks during the flight.

Ryanair states additionally that some people are being asked to undergo temperature checks at airports before going through security, and that you may be barred from flights if you have a high temperature (a common symptom of Covid-19).

Eurostar / Eurotunnel

For passengers getting the Eurostar from the UK to France, the latest update on the firm's website does not mention any additional documentation (for example, as with all UK-France travel since June 15, an official attesation de déplament international is no longer needed to come to France).

A passenger known to the Connexion team who took the Eurostar from the UK to France on Saturday 11 July was not asked to present any extra documents.

For anyone driving between the countries using the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service, however, documentation related to your health status may be required by the firm. The Eurotunnel website states: “It is now permitted for anyone without symptoms of Covid-19 to travel from the UK to France subject to completion of a health declaration”.

A copy of this declaration can be found here in English, and here in French, and passengers must bring a completed copy with them.

Ferries

P&O ferries confirmed to The Connexion that no extra documentation will be required. As usual for trips to the UK, the firm stated that passengers must still complete a Public Health Passenger Locator Form form 48 hours before returning to the UK.

Brittany Ferries has published a 12-point guide to new measures in place to protect passengers, which can be found on their website here.

Measures include wearing a mask, staggered boarding and a compulsory reservation of a seat or cabin.

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