Since January 1, 2021, British nationals are subject to more thorough checks. Travelers from the United Kingdom are advised to bring a passport and to present themselves in advance at the border post to travel to the European Union. At the border post, they must take the "third-country national" line, and no longer the "EU / EEA / CH" line.

1/ British nationals who do not have resident status in a Member State of the European Union and who wish to go to France for a short stay or who are in transit to another Member State or the Schengen area n don't need a visa.

They must:

• present their passport which will be stamped when entering and leaving the Schengen area. The maximum duration of a short stay cannot exceed 90 days for any period of 180 days;
• be able to prove that they have sufficient resources to meet their needs during their stay. Barring exceptions, the minimum amount of resources required in France is 65 euros per day [1];
• have an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death expenses likely to be incurred throughout the duration of their stay in France, including repatriation costs for medical reasons.

The supporting documents used to verify compliance with the entry conditions are listed in Annex I of the Schengen Borders Code, accessible here.

2/ British nationals wishing to settle in France must contact the French Embassy or a French consular authority to request the issuance of a long-stay visa, before their arrival in France. This visa will be requested upon their arrival in France.

3/ British nationals residing in France or in another Member State of the European Union before December 31, 2020 benefit from the provisions of the withdrawal agreement signed between the United Kingdom and the European Union and do not need visa.

They must be able to:

• present a residence permit bearing the mention "Article 50 TEU" or a certificate of registration of the application for a residence permit; this last possibility is only open to people residing in France until October 1, 2021;
• for those who have not yet applied for a residence permit in France or with the competent authorities of another Member State, present supporting documents attesting to their status as residents (proof of residence established by a local authority, rental lease, rent receipts, electricity or gas bills in your name dating from the year 2020).

The attention of travelers is drawn to the possible duration of checks in this situation, in particular if these documents are not translated into French or English. Thus, even if the State in which they reside has not made possession of a residence permit compulsory, obtaining one facilitates the control of these documents.

[1] In the event of non-presentation of a hotel reservation as proof of accommodation, the minimum daily amount of resources to stay in France is 120 euros. In the event of a partial hotel reservation, the daily amount required is 65 euros for the period covered by the reservation and 120 euros for the rest of the stay. For holders of a reception certificate, this amount is 32.50 euros.

Non-European and non-British nationals who reside in the United Kingdom before December 31, 2020, may, depending on their nationality, be required to obtain a visa to travel to Europe. Travelers from the United Kingdom are advised to bring a passport and to present themselves in advance at the border post to travel to the European Union. At the border post, they must take the "third-country national" line, and no longer the "EU / EEA / CH" line.

The visa or residence permit issued by the British authorities no longer affects the right to stay in France.

To come to France for a short stay, a visa may be required. The site https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/welcome-page lists the nationalities subject to a visa requirement. The passport of these travellers will be stamped at the border and, if necessary, the validity of the visa checked.

They must also:

• be able to prove that they have sufficient resources to meet their needs during their stay. Barring exceptions, the minimum amount of resources required in France is 65 euros per day [1];
• have an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death expenses likely to be incurred throughout the duration of their stay in France, including repatriation costs for medical reasons.

The supporting documents used to verify compliance with the entry conditions are listed in Annex I of the Schengen Borders Code, accessible here.

[1] In the event of non-presentation of a hotel reservation as proof of accommodation, the minimum daily amount of resources to stay in France is 120 euros. In the event of a partial hotel reservation, the daily amount required is 65 euros for the period covered by the reservation and 120 euros for the rest of the stay. For holders of a reception certificate, this amount is 32.50 euros.

Travellers from the United Kingdom will be subject to checks by the customs authority regarding compliance with duty-free allowances for purchases made in the United Kingdom, based on volume for alcohol and tobacco and on value for other goods. These allowances are specified on the website of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise

Purchases made in France may be eligible for a VAT refund, subject to certain conditions. PABLO terminals, which automate these procedures, will be available to travellers at ports, airports and stations serving the United Kingdom.

Volume-based alcohol and tobacco allowances per traveller

• Alcohol
  • Spirits and other liquors over 22% ABV: 1 litre; alcoholic beverages up to 22% ABV: 2 litres.
  • Wine: 4 litres
  • Beer: 16 litres
• Tobacco
  • Cigarettes: 200
  • Cigarillos: 100
  • Cigars: 50
  • Smoking tobacco: 250 g

Certain plants and plant products (flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc.) that may be vectors of disease will be subject to health checks when entering the European Union from the United Kingdom. A detailed list of the products concerned is provided in this guide (in French).

Import of animal products by travellers from the United Kingdom will also be subject to restrictions. Travellers will not be able to carry meat, meat-based products, milk and milk-based products in their luggage, for example.

British citizens travelling to France on business at the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) are not required to obtain a visa so long as they stay fewer than 90 days. They also don’t need a work permit so long as they are not performing any paid work in France (in other words, if you are paid in the UK and travel to France for a meeting, you will not need a visa).