Cycling UK Forum

I am sure there has been a long thread on the post Brexit issues but having searched. I can't find it.

One of my friends has been campervanning in France recently and it make me want to go again next year so my questions is if camping with no accommodation booked how strict is the entry requirement of means and how do you prove it.

Thanks.

Not been asked yet. I’m not sure the requirements for France (as opposed to say Italy or Germany) require it although I think they all require insurance. Nonetheless I was a bit worried when going to Italy last year so I made sure I had the first week pre planned and booked. No one asked- and most of my reservations were cancellable so I wasn’t totally locked in. Note it takes a bit longer to get through French passport control (wherever located) as you need a stamp.

I presume you mean on your bike.

Officially all third party country travellers (ie us) require a whole host of things: return ticket; money; health cover; accommodation; etc. (EHIC health card now a UKGHIC card, still free and covers EU.)

In practice I have not heard of anyone being stopped* when crossing by bike on ferry or by air. The requirements aren't really aimed at short stay tourists. I've entered Portugal, Spain and France twice since Brexit with no questions at all.

There will be extra checks and you will need a sort of visa, but that's is currently delayed to 2024 at the earliest (see ETIAS and EES).

* One poster who frequently travels by air to Germany has reported being asked.

MrsHJ wrote: ↑8 Aug 2023, 5:36pm Not been asked yet. I’m not sure the requirements for France (as opposed to say Italy or Germany) require it although I think they all require insurance. Nonetheless I was a bit worried when going to Italy last year so I made sure I had the first week pre planned and booked. No one asked- and most of my reservations were cancellable so I wasn’t totally locked in. Note it takes a bit longer to get through French passport control (wherever located) as you need a stamp.

The requirements for France are 60 euros per day with pre-booked hotel accommodation, 120 without.

st599_uk wrote: ↑8 Aug 2023, 6:55pm The requirements for France are 60 euros per day with pre-booked hotel accommodation, 120 without.

The correct answer - the source is here: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/fra ... -in-france

Also of relevance is you must be able to show your return ticket or proof of funds to purchase one.

If you don't have a ticket booked I'm not sure if they'd expect you to have 120eur/day to cover the 90-day maximum limit allowed, or if they'd take your word on your intended return date. Having a (refundable/amendable) ticket might help in this respect.

Of course a lot of this is theoretical and you're unlikely to be asked unless the border guard takes a disliking to you

Presumably that means you can just flash a credit card or do you also need to demonstrate it has enough capacity in it ? (I mean I have my banking app with me I guess to demonstrate capacity.

Presumably also that’s per person so instead of cycling I’m going with him indoors and one teen (i dug my heels in though and insisted on taking the bike too as they are night owls so I’ll have time in the mornings for cycling) in a couple of weeks to France so I’d need to demonstrate 360 per day capacity.

I’ve been back and forth into france multiple times since brexit, once on bikes, other times in campervan. Nothing different to before other than getting a stamp in the passport. never been asked about accomodation, or showing money etc…. don’t overthink it just go

Thanks for all the responses. I always have a return ticket, not necessarily from the same port and the visa doesn't look like an issue for just a week's trip. It was the accomodation/means issue that I was particularly interest in. I just hope they don't take a dislike to me!!

Same here: in the past few years I've never had any searching questions on entering France. German and Dutch border people have been a bit more inquisitive (wanting to know where I was heading, how long I was staying, etc).

I agree, I wouldn't worry if going as a normal tourist. No reports of any hassles.

The point about the 'visa thing' is that you will need one once their new systems are in. It will be apply once for 3 year validity. It just means you can enter EU, doesn't affect the 90 days in 180 rule. Needed for any trip to EU, even 1 day. The UK are setting up something similar.

Whether a credit card is acceptable is a moot point. There are certainly some countries that don't accept cc s because they don't show you have money only the offer to lend it to you and this could be taken away at any time.

As I said I don't worry, however if the French Immigration ever decided to work to rule, etc it would be carnage at the ports and airports, because the rules are there.

simonhill wrote: ↑9 Aug 2023, 8:34am As I said I don't worry, however if the French Immigration ever decided to work to rule, etc it would be carnage at the ports and airports, because the rules are there.

And if they do, it will be all over the news!

For now, tuck a bank statement in your papers and focus on making sure they stamp you in and out else they can assume you've been there the max permitted time. Mostly easy now, but early on some quieter ports forgot to stamp UK people in.

Thanks

For now, tuck a bank statement in your papers

But does anyone get paper statements now? I certainly don't!!

I would prefer not to be the person all over the news like the unfortunate Welsh cycling club.

I have banking apps on my phone that show all details. The money in a savings account would meet the requirements.

If you want the bad news, some countries require hard cash. Not EU as far as I know, but then again they don't say..............

These rules are there so as to be able to keep out undesirables (howsoever they may be defined). Fortunately cyclists are not thus seen by Europe.

We went to Brittany last year without pre - purchasing a return ticket.
No problems on that score.
Never been asked for proof of finances - although we had to have an accommodation address when Covid rules were in place.
I think the French border staff have enough to occupy them putting stamps in passports without adding to the workload asking questions about finances and accommodation.

Thanks.

I haven't even considered any possible Covid rules at this stage as I am looking at June at the earliest. My previous May attempt some years back was the wettest I have ever experienced!!