top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Travel and Brexit: French Interior Ministry advice

The French Interior Ministry has created new information pages for Britons in France after Brexit; we have translated key sections of them.

Are French citizens going to need their passports to travel to the United Kingdom [editor’s note: as opposed to just their national identity card] and will it be necessary to obtain a visa in order to travel to the United Kingdom for a short or long stay? Will the situation be the same for British citizens?

 Until March 29, 2019, to enter and to stay in the United Kingdom or France, the traveller must be in possession of a valid passport or national identity card. No visa is required.

In the event of a withdrawal agreement coming into force

In this case, and until December 31, 2020, the conditions will be the same as at present: the traveller must be in possession of a valid passport or national identity card. No visa will be required, neither for a short stay nor for a long stay.

In the absence of a withdrawal agreement

In this case, French or British citizens will be considered third-country nationals when visiting from March 29, 2019 and will be subject to checks at border crossings, although measures are already being envisaged to maintain a certain fluidity at border crossings.

In addition, the French or British traveller will have to be in possession of a passport and could need:

* Short-stay visas, depending on a decision to be taken by the British government (at this stage, the British government has indicated its intention not to subject European nationals to a visa requirement for short stays) and by the European Union (the European Commission presented on November 13, 2018 a proposal for a regulation to exempt United Kingdom nationals travelling to the European Union from a visa requirement, if the United Kingdom reciprocally grants a visa exemption to all European Union citizens).

*Long stay visas if they wish to stay more than 90 days.

Residency rights 

Nationality 

Integration 

Elections 

Driving licences 

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France