#It is reported that some #Britons have been denied boarding at #Heathrow on planes bound for #Spain; others returning to EU countries, including #France, complained that their UK passports were stamped by border officials as if they were visitors.
#This is not correct under the rules of the #Brexit #Withdrawal #Agreement (WA) – #Brits who live in #France and are covered by WA, ie. because they were living in #France before the end of 2020, should not have their passport stamped.
#We understand that this should generally be the case for any ‘third country’ (non-EU / EEA) national residing in the EU, but in a briefing the #European #Commission recently highlighted this point with respect to those covered by the AO.
#Passport stamping of #British residents in #France is not believed to be widespread here to this day and we have not heard of any cases of refusal to travel to #France. The connection would like to receive information about readers affected by one or the other at [email protected]
#Campaigners for #Britons in the EU fear that stamping, whether entering or leaving #France, could cause confusion, as normally this should only be done for #Brits visiting #France , not for those who live there.
#In particular, stamps will be used by border officials in both directions (entry and exit) to verify that #British visitors do not violate the rule of visiting the #Schengen area (including #France) for a maximum of 90 days. over a period of 180 days.
#Britain’s coalition in #Europe of campaign groups says it is following this file with the UK #Foreign #Office and EU member states, asking them to ensure border officials are fully informed, and calls for the #European #Commission to monitor the situation and take action in the event of infringements.
The EU has previously said manuals issued to border guards are being updated before the end of the #Brexit transition period, suggesting the problem could be due to start-up issues, with some officials not being not yet aware of the latest rules on how to treat the UK. travelers.
#As a general rule, the current rules related to the #Covid-19 crisis mean that with few exceptions, #Britons who travel to #France should only be those who reside in #France anyway.
#Under EU rules, #Brits covered by #Brexit WA should not have their passport stamped as long as they present:
- A new residence card for the #Brexit withdrawal agreement
- A printout of the email they received confirming that they requested the card
- A previously issued EU citizen residence card or, failing that, any other proof of residence. #French officials have already said The connection that this could include, for example, a recent utility bill, such as an electricity or gas bill for your #French home.
The connection #Note that some people who had their passports stamped say they did not even have time to declare that they were residents before the passport was stamped. Therefore, we advise you to make it clear before handing it to the official, with words such as I am a resident of #France and covered by the UK #Withdrawal #Agreement; I don’t need to have my passport stamped#His.
#If you are able to do so, we also advise you to apply for a #Brexit WA card before traveling outside of #France, as the card application certificate is one of the documents explicitly listed by the EU.
#Roger #Boaden, of #Brits in #Europe, said: “#We have heard of passports stamped on both sides of the #Eurotunnel and #Eurostar, and on flights to #Charles de #Gaulle and #Lyon – all from #French officials.
“#We have had several complaints, for example, about people boarding #Eurotunnel in #Folkestone and getting stamped by #French officials, and this morning someone (passport) is stamped when leaving via #Eurotunnel in #Calais.
“##This suggests a breakdown in communication in the #Schengen area, as if you are reading EU documents, it is clear that the passport stamp on entry and exit is not applicable to WA beneficiaries . ”
A #Login reader emailed to say: “#My passport was stamped by #French passport control at #EuroTunnel on #January 1st. I noticed he was dabbing it and he admitted it was necessary. I have lived in #France since 2003. #He did not ask me if I was a resident while I was driving a vehicle on the left with a #French license plate. #If this is really necessary, I will need additional pages in my passport… ”
#Previous articles
#Brexit and #France: how visas and residence cards work in 2021
#No #Brexit card refused to the #British so far in #Dordogne
