Rights

French councils ‘broke rules’ on smart camera surveillance of public

Illegal camera activity included the use of real-time facial recognition software

France’s ‘droit du sol’ rule for nationality: what change is planned?

The government wants to suspend the ‘territorial principle’ on Mayotte in response to the island's illegal immigration crisis

Explainer: Role of notaire in France and what to do if not happy

What you can expect from your notaire, what standards should they adhere to, and what you can do if you find them lacking

news

I agree French visa system is too difficult

A Connexion reader says that troubles are not limited to online processes – face-to-face appointments can also be challenging

Controversial ban on public sitting in French town partially suspended

A court said restrictions on sitting or lying in public spaces in Angoulême represented ‘a disproportionate infringement of freedom’

Palliative care ‘non-existent’ away from French hospitals, says report

France’s supreme audit court called for end-of-life care to be improved in retirement centres and at patients’ homes

Court rules EU rights of Britons in France were lost due to Brexit

One complainant had argued EU citizenship is an ‘acquired right’ that cannot be removed

Introducing euthanasia in France would be dangerous, say senators

In a report seen as a warning to the government, they also said assisted suicide would be an inappropriate response

Did you know? France has a team ready to defend foreigners' rights

We speak to a key public rights official working with the Defender of Rights about administrative difficulties and how to find help in your area

European court set to rule on French lawyers’ Brexit case

A June date has been set for a ruling about Britons’ EU citizenship rights

Britons in France who lost UK voting rights able to re-register 2024

They are part of the estimated two million such Britons abroad who can expect to be eligible to vote in the next general election

Foreigners among the losers amid France’s ‘excessive digitisation’

A new report has criticised French services moving online, saying digitisation had brought dehumanisation

Neighbour comes into my garden in France uninvited: what can I do?

We explain the rules around trespassing

Brexit news in brief: Ferries, votes, WA cards, naturalisation website

Update on issues affecting Britons in France, plus why a ferry service to Channel Islands is under threat

Has 'votes for life' for Britons in France now come into effect?

A bill enabling people living abroad for more than 15 years to vote in the UK received Royal Assent in April

Five steps to help prevent bank fraud in France and advice if targeted

Help stop fraudsters from accessing your account by taking simple steps to protect yourself and find out about your rights if you have money stolen

Health pass infringes rights of children and poor says rights defender

The rules do not take children or vulnerable people into account, she said, and called for more democratic debate on the issue

Court to decide if France should stop lockdown for vaccinated people

Parisian man, 83, argues that he is being denied his right to free movement for no valid reason as he is fully vaccinated

French police to add extra data to intelligence files

The Conseil d’Etat has authorised police to collect data such as political opinions and religious beliefs, causing concern among critics of the new law

Covid-19 France: Could places refuse unvaccinated people?

As France considers introducing a law allowing greater freedom of movement for people with the Covid-19 vaccine, experts debate whether doing so is legal

Why the French ban on photos of police is a dangerous idea

In her monthly column in The Connexion, award-winning journalist Nabila Ramdani shares her views on controversial global security bill

French parliament adopts controversial security law

The bill, which would limit the spread of ‘malicious’ images of police officers, passed 388 to 104 votes, but critics say it may not pass through the Senate

All police in France will wear body cameras by July 2021

All police and law enforcement officers in France will carry body cameras as standard from summer 2021, the government has confirmed.

‘No need to panic over rights of Britons in France’

There is no immediate threat to rights of Britons in the EU despite fears that the UK is set to break the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement treaty, a leading analyst of the Brexit process, and former UK negotiator, says.

Campaigners fear threat to Britons' rights in France

Campaigners for Britons living abroad in the EU are worried about risks to their rights after reports that the UK government may go back on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement deal.

Public place mask-wearing rule challenged in French court

The French department of Bas-Rhin must now adapt its “disproportionate” rules ordering mask-wearing in all public places, after two hospital workers took local authorities to court.

Marseille mayor welcomes Banksy rescue boat refugees

The MV Louise Michele ship was carrying over 250 refugees rescued from the Mediterranean Sea, and had been refused the right to dock in other European countries. The deputy mayor of Marseille has said the city will open its doors to those who were on board.

Coronavirus: transnational couples separated by travel bans

Love is stuck in limbo as hundreds of couples are separated by Covid-19 travel bans.

France legalises protests despite ongoing health emergency

France has legalised public protests - despite the state of health emergency - after anti-racism marches took place last week and police continued to protest after President Macron’s TV speech last night (June 14).

French police reject new ‘anti-racism’ announcement

Police officers across France have “downed tools” - by placing their handcuffs on the ground - in protest at the interior minister’s new measures to “improve ethics” and anti-racism within the police.

Thousands protest racism in France despite Covid-19

Thousands of people have marched against police violence in Paris and elsewhere in France this weekend, as protests continue after the murder of unarmed black man George Floyd by police in the United States.

France may get controversial StopCovid app this week

StopCovid, the coronavirus smartphone “tracing app”, could be available in France from this weekend, if it is approved in parliament this week, the government has said, amid ongoing criticism and concerns.

Paris banned from using drones to police deconfinement

The French high court has ordered the State to stop using camera drones to check if Paris residents are complying with deconfinement rules, condemning the practice as “illegal” and “an attack on private life”.

Two new post-Brexit EU rights court cases

Police Covid-19 checks in France: What is allowed?

Police and gendarmerie in France have the power to challenge people outside the home during this period of Covid-19 confinement - but how far does that power go? We answer some key questions.

French right-to-die-activist postpones death date

Two years ago, Jacqueline Jencquel set a date to die by assisted suicide in January 2020 rather than endure old age. She says she still plans to go through with it – but not just yet, because she is enjoying life

Brexit: don’t panic, France tells Britons here

Details of new obligatory carte procedures ‘imminent’

‘Treat Britons in EU well’ say MEPs

An MEP’S resolution calling for better rights for Britons in the EU passed by 610 to 29, with 68 abstentions.

Britons not able to stand in French local elections

British people living in France who do not have French or another European dual nationality will not be able to stand as local councillors in this March’s municipal French elections.

Reassure Britons in EU more before we sign off deal

... and offer associate EU citizenship to those who still value being European

‘I have set a date to die'

People should be allowed to ‘opt out’ of the ‘tedious’ years of old age, according to a prominent French right-to-die activist, who claims to have set a date for her own death.

Brexit deal rules for Britons in France clarified soon

The British Embassy hopes shortly to have ‘definitive’ answers on key issues about how Britons who live in France will secure their rights after Brexit day.

Election result ‘gives certainty’ to Britons in France

The election result is very likely to mean the UK will leave the EU with the negotiated deal – and thus avoid a no-deal “catastrophe that has been keeping us up at night,” say campaigners.

January Brexit: what Britons in France need to know

The UK is on course to leave the EU with the negotiated deal at midnight on January 31 – bringing mixed feelings for many Britons in France. The Conservative election win ended hopes of another referendum or Brexit cancellation but brings some certainty, say campaigners for Britons abroad.

'Election result brings certainty' for Britons

The Tory election win brings certainty for Britons in France says a leading member of community groups representing them.

Fighting for UK pensions

As a result of the article in Connexion about how the UK lied to me about pension rights, the campaign group British Pensioners for Justice has received nearly 200 messages of support.

Lords say UK needs to do more on Britons rights

The UK government should continue to uprate the pensions of Britons living in the EU in a no-deal Brexit scenario, the House of Lords has said.

EU migrants to UK to pay for healthcare

All foreign nationals moving to the UK after the end of a Brexit transition period should pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £625 per year of residency, the Conservative Party has said.

Protect Britons in EU better, PM is warned

UK ‘prioritises EU residents above Britons living in EU’, claims Conservative MP

Britons abroad in limbo as MPs to vote on new deal

With a ‘new Brexit deal' heading back for a vote in the UK Houses of Parliament tomorrow Britons in France find themselves much as they did at the start of this year – still in limbo over their future rights.

Barrister launches new bid to save Britons' EU rights

A French barrister dedicated to fighting cases on Britons’ Brexit rights has launched a new bid to protect EU citizenship rights for Britons with a well-established private and family life in EU countries like France.

French no-deal rules 'not equal' to UK's - ambassador

The French offer in terms of residency rights of Britons in France in the case of a no-deal is not equal in some areas to what is being offered by the UK for EU citizens, the British Ambassador has said.

Tens of thousands march in Paris amid continued unrest

Tens of thousands of people marched the streets in Paris this weekend to protest over issues including climate change, pension reform, and the continuing gilets jaunes movement, with some turning violent.

No-deal Brexit: ways to prove French residency

Britain leaving the EU without a deal would mean border control complications

Opinion: What are rights worth if they can be removed?

Britons living abroad in the EU were told before Brexit their rights would remain the same if the UK left the EU – but it turned out not to be the case, says Debbie Williams, founder of the campaign group Brexpats - Hear our Voice which has many members in France.