Letters: British residents of France spar over residency rights

To the Editor,

I remain so disappointed that the French government does not reciprocate the UK visa rules for French people visiting the UK for up to six months .

Pre-Brexit, I bought and slowly restored an isolated ruin in France over a 45-year period.

I have been adopted by some local French families. We get on well and have a good time together.

I pay all the annual house taxes and all annual standing charges for utilities.

Now I can only visit my house for 90 days unless I go through the boring and uncertain process with [visa application agency] TLS. Frankly I am thinking that unless the rules change soon, I will give up visiting France.

Surely anyone who loves sharing their life in France and who bought a property pre-Brexit should be able to enjoy their long-time investment in the country?

For me it’s become life changing.

Peter Biziou, by email

To the Editor,

I still find it hard to understand why anyone with an ounce of common sense would have voted for Brexit. 

There were so many of us warning of the possible consequences that were never mentioned by the Brexit leaders.

These people who moan about the cost etc of visas to visit their homes in France should think harder before complaining here. Brexit caused this as the UK is a third country and is being treated correctly.

If they do not like their situation either sell up or take it up with the UK government. It was they who agreed this position for the UK, not France!

David Cunningham, by email

Read more: French visas and residency card applications: Connexion readers share their experiences

To the Editor,

I voted Leave and do not regret it one bit. 

I have a house in France and visit whenever I can. If I find the timings are difficult I apply for a visa. TLS is an atrocious organisation and costs a fortune but I firmly believe that before we joined the EU we needed to apply for a visa, so it is no different now. 

We need to keep our borders safe, so that is a price all travellers need to pay wherever they go. 

The application could be online and easier, I agree. For example, I go to Australia once a year to see my grandchildren and it takes 15 minutes online to apply for a visa for a three-month period and it does not cost anything either!

I love my time in France but I believe the UK should determine its own future, whatever that may be, and not have it determined by the EU commission. 

Ruth Duckworth, by email

How have you adapted to Brexit? Do you feel that the matter is now settled? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com