Could the 90/180 days rule change for Britons?

Many British second-home owners feel aggrieved at the 90/180 days rule, having been able to easily stay longer in France as EU citizens prior to 2021 and Brexit. They feel they bought under one set of rules, which later changed, and that an exception should be made for them. Many also say that the temporary long-stay visa process is complex and poorly suited to those who may want to apply every year.

There have been bids for them not to be treated the same as other non-EU visitors and many senators and French MPs have given support, but so far with little effect. Senator Michel Canévet (Finistère, Union Centriste) asked the government if France could offer Britons the same as the UK offers Europeans and other visa-waiver nationalities: stays of up to six months at a time without a visa. The latter is a national UK rule.

In response, the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the UK chose to give up freedom of movement and that the 90 days rule is defined in EU laws so it was not possible for France to give different rights to Britons unilaterally. 

[Editor’s note: France cannot unilaterally change Schengen area rules but it can make its own rules regarding access to its territory].

Senator Martine Berthet (Les Républicains, Savoie) also wrote to the ministry about Britons and the 90/180 days.

In 2023, Facebook group France Visa Free called on members to lobby lawmakers for an amendment to be added to an immigration bill, to help Britons who spend part of the year in France. The Connexion also took this up. 

Support in both houses was such that an amendment was passed saying that British second-home owners should have an ‘automatic’ visa right, to freely visit France with no, or minimal, formalities. However, this was then removed from the bill by the Conseil Constitutionnel, on a technicality.

During 2024 France Visa Free also lobbied MPs and ministers asking for any simplifications to the temporary visa process that could perhaps be achieved by ministerial decree. They asked, for example, that simple ‘renewals’ be made possible for those coming annually, with no need to return to the TLS offices.

With the UK’s ruling Labour Party saying, in 2025, it wanted to ‘reset’ its relationship with the EU, France Visa Free lobbied for an EU-wide exemption from the basic 90/180 days rule, saying it wanted ‘reciprocity’, since EU citizens may visit the UK for up to six months consecutively.

As of late 2025, there were indications that a potential simplification of the long-stay visa process for applications from the UK is under review. The office of the Interior Minister said in a letter to Senator Berthet that it could mean supporting documents being uploaded digitally via france-visas.gouv.fr instead of applicants having to bring them to one of the UK’s three TLScontact processing centres.

However, this is not expected until at least 2028, when a European regulation provides for this option. No remote method has so far been announced for taking fingerprints, which is deemed necessary for visas. So, unless rules are changed to allow these to be held for several years, this will lessen ‘simplification’ benefits.

TLScontact, which also now runs France’s visa centres in the US, has meanwhile launched a ‘postal application’ option there for an extra $110, which involves posting supporting documents. 

This bypasses the need for an in-person visit, as long as fingerprints have been provided in the last five years. However, it appears this is only for short-stay Schengen visa applicants at present.

EU-UK ‘new partnership’: What might this bring? 

Several elements in an announced new EU and UK deal for closer partnership should make life easier for Britons living in and coming to France. The results of a summit held on May 19, 2025 are expected to form the basis for further talks and formal agreements.

The EU and UK agreed that they both wish to “deepen people-to-people ties.” They will work towards a “youth experience scheme”, so young people can spend time in the UK/EU for work, studies, au pair positions, volunteering or simply travelling, for a limited period. Such opportunities have been limited post-Brexit. This would involve a new kind of visa, and there may be quotas.

The UK will also become “associated” to Erasmus+, it is planned: young Britons and young EU citizens could once again participate in educational and work placement exchanges. The details would have to be agreed, and the level of benefits obtained by the UK would partly depend on its willingness to contribute financially.

The UK and EU will also discuss ways to make borders “smooth” for each other’s citizens, including potential use of e-gates; however, this is already possible for entry to France, according to official French government websites. The EU affirms that the start of EES will not prevent Britons from using the gates.

Nothing was stated about more flexibility for British visitors to the EU with regard to the 90/180 days rule, or any exemption from having to register with EES as ‘third-country’ visitors to the area.

The UK and EU also reaffirmed commitment to “full and timely and faithful implementation” of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement. These are the basis for Britons’ protections in France under WA cards, with regard to residency, work and social security rights.

The EU and UK also agreed to work towards common plant and animal health rules, which among other points is hoped to mean the UK will be able to issue pet passports recognised by the EU.

The deal states that more ‘dialogue’ will be held over mutual recognition of professional qualifications and over easing temporary stays for business. Both sides “recognise the value” of artistic and cultural exchanges, including tours by performers, and will “continue efforts to support” these.

The UK and EU will explore ways to have more mutual exchange of such data as fingerprints, DNA and criminal records and facial images. The EU and the UK agreed to hold regular high-level meetings on joint strategic interests, such as economy and trade, and justice and home affairs, as well as foreign and security policy dialogues every six months, and annual summits.