Passport

Britons told to check passports as more people denied travel to EU

Hundreds of travellers, including those on their way to visit family in France and second homes, reported to be blocked by 10-year rule

Are there age restrictions on language tests for French nationality?

France’s new immigration law has introduced stricter language requirements for both nationality and residency cards

French passport is named one of six best for world travel

The ranking counts how many destinations the passport holder can travel to ‘visa-free’

Are British passports labelled ‘European Union’ still accepted?

These passports were issued before the UK left the EU as a result of Brexit

Can you visit the UK with a French carte d’identité?

We look at the rules surrounding travelling to the UK post-Brexit with EU identity cards

What are the EU rules on passport validity periods?

The European Commission outlines three criteria for people coming into the bloc

How to get a French EU pet passport as a British second-home owner

Pet passports issued in France are considerably cheaper than the UK's £100 one-trip pet travel certificates. We asked vets in France if British second-home owners could get an EU passport for their pets while in France

Post-Brexit number of French people gaining British nationality soars

The same trend was observed in the other direction, with numbers of Britons becoming French having increased by a factor of 20 from 2010 to 2019

Why do UK passports have French translations on them?

Following controversy over English translations on new French ID cards, we look at the reasons for translations in passports – and how British passports were once only written in French

Do we have to carry our passports all the time?

I believe French people have to carry their identity card with them at all times – what should expats do – carry their passport? Is there an alternative as I am afraid of losing it? DB

Who can be my countersignatory for my passport application?

Whether a countersignatory is required for your British passport application depends on a couple of factors

A guide to the temporary long-stay visa for France and how to apply

Non-EU citizen visitors such as Americans and Britons with French holiday homes are limited to three months maximum in France – but there is a solution for those wishing to stay longer without actually moving to France

Brexit: British passports and 10-year rule for visits to EU countries

The UK press has highlighted the case of a woman refused boarding onto a flight to Majorca due to her passport being within its marked expiry date but issued more than 10 years ago. We explain the rules

I hold a Brexit residency card: Why was passport stamped at border?

Several readers continue to report their UK passports being stamped on entering France from the UK

Obtaining French nationality can take up to four years, study shows

Applications can take four times as long in some areas of France, with one family even considering a move to Paris to speed up the process

Second-home owners: Can I alternate two months in France and UK?

The regulations of the '90/180 day' rule are that at any one time when you are in the area, you must not have spent more than 90 days there in the last 180-day period

President Macron raises idea of EU-wide Covid ‘health pass’

The pass could be used in France and EU to make it easier to track contacts and cases, the president said, and was not the same as a ‘vaccination passport'. He called for EU unity on future travel

Europe debates Covid health passports for travellers

The European Commission is set to discuss the idea tomorrow as private companies advance with tech developments

Britons' passports wrongly stamped on entry to France

Some British residents of France report their passports being - wrongly - stamped on return to the country from trips abroad. We look at how to avoid this happening.

More Britons in France report incorrect passport stamps

The problem of French border officials not being up-to-date with new rules for British travellers appears to be fairly widespread – and is being taken up by the British Embassy and campaign groups

EU's 90-day rule is not 'Brexit punishment'

The limit of 90 days in any 180-day period in France for non-EU citizens is long-established and not related to Brexit, although its application to Britons is a consequence of it

Can Britons use fast EU passport lanes in 2021?

The new EU Entry-Exit system may speed things up in 2022 but in the meantime it is likely that Britons will have to get used to longer queues once Brexit applies fully

Brexit: when do I have to renew my UK passport?

We answer a reader question on renewing UK passports and how they'll be affected after the Brexit transition period.

Brexit: should I change UK pet passport to a French version?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

Brexit: I'm British, will my French son need a UK passport?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

Brexit: will I need a new passport?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

France introduces Covid tests for ‘at risk’ airport arrivals

Travellers arriving by air into France from at-risk countries will now be “systematically” tested for Covid-19 upon arrival, the French government has announced.

EU external borders now open to some countries, but not US

The European Union and Schengen Area have today (July 1) opened external borders to 15 countries, including Canada and Australia; but notably not the United States, Brazil, or Russia.

EU launches new travel info site as borders begin to open

A new online tool to help people living in Europe plan summer trips to other European destinations has been launched by the European Commission.

France to open non-EU borders from July 1

France is to gradually reopen to countries beyond Europe from July 1, it has announced. It comes as borders within the European area prepare to open from tomorrow (Monday June 15).

Will France introduce Covid-19 ‘immunity passports’?

As confinement starts to lift from this Monday, some politicians in France are calling for the creation of an “immunity passport” for people cured of the virus. We consider how and if this controversial idea would work.

French firm defends UK passport jobs in Poland

The French firm which has won the contract to make the UK’s blue passports to replace the EU-burgundy colour says it is adhering to all labour laws after being accused of outsourcing the work to badly-treated, low-paid workers in Poland.

French nationality ranked ‘best in world’ again

The French nationality has been ranked the best in the world for the eighth consecutive time, according to the latest ranking (2018) of the global Quality of Nationality Index.

How no-deal Brexit may hit life for Britons in France

From passports, pets, voting and driving licences to cartes de séjour , air travel, healthcare and pensions - the formalities of life in France after a no-deal Brexit

Validity of ‘European’ British passports

My British passport is still valid for several years but it says Euro­pean Union on the cover – will this cause problems after Brexit? D.W.

Can Britons travel in Schengen?

With Brexit approaching, can Britons still travel around the Schengen area with a British passport? Can residents in France use a carte de séjour? R.C.

French departments test new document paperwork scheme

A trial to reduce the amount of paperwork required to obtain a driving licence, vehicle registration, identity card, or passport is underway across four departments in France.

Would your UK passport be valid in no-deal Brexit?

If you hold a British passport and will be travelling to France after the expected Brexit day – March 29 – you are advised to check its expiry date as it may not be accepted to enter the country if it has less than six months' validity left.

No scan do with passport

Now, that’s good service!

Passport renewal

Border checks in place for six more months

France cites terror threat as it informs European Commission of intention to maintain border controls despite being a member of the passport-free Schengen Zone

Iconic blue passports to be made in France

Quick work for passport!

Air France no longer checking ID at boarding gates

Air France is no longer checking that passengers’ boarding documents match their ID at the point of aeroplane boarding, prompting concerns from a pilots’ union and the mayor of Nice.

French passport ties with UK as fourth-most useful

A French passport has been named as the fourth most-useful in the world in a new report, on a par with passports from United Kingdom and Spain; lagging behind those from Singapore and Germany.

France wants to keep tighter Schengen border controls

France has joined other European countries to demand that the European Commission allow increased border controls to remain within the Schengen Agreement Area in the EU.