I am in possession of a current passport which expires in May 2015. I also hold a permanent French Identity card. I am fast approaching a young 80, and have no future plans to travel anywhere other than Spain or England. I would be grateful for any positive info as to whether the identity card will be accepted in place of a passport within the EU
Well, I have gone back and forth quite a few times between France and the UK on just my carte de séjour, without ever a problem, but cannot say as to other borders. Seems wise, if you wish to travel, to have a passport.
Yes, Veronique, it does. I continue to renew it because it's so useful when the caissière et al demand proof of ID. They're much more used to ID cards than passports and it's a sight easier to carry around. Never had to show any ID crossing other internal EU borders. Once drove from the UK to Belgium with our dog which had been in kennels in the UK while we found somewhere to live in Brussels and no-one. whether it be in the UK, France or Belgium asked to see any paperwork either for us or the hound. Made me wonder why we'd bothered getting all the jabs for the dog and permission from the UK Min of Ag to take the dog out of the country.
Terry, I expect your carte de séjour also mentioned your nationality. (& you were going to your 'home' country. It might be different going elsewhere... but I don't know for certain).
I have the equivalent of a Carte de Sejour from when we thought we might be going to live in Switzerland. I have renewed via my in-laws address in order to keep my right of residence in case ever required. I once used it to go in and out of the UK, purely experimentally because I had my passport with me. However, I wonder about the situation with the biometric ones that are read by a computer and would not take the risk.
Just to contradict everybody, I forgot my passport a few years ago when travelling to the UK and thought I'd have to drive all the way home to get it. But the passport people at the ferry terminal (might have been the tunnel) were happy to accept my Carte de Sejour in lieu of a passport because it had my photo, my full name and my address. However, in these days of bionic passports and ID cards it might not work. So I'd still go for a passport, at least for the UK.
Thank you all for your kindly helpful replies. I'm quite sure the information tended will be helpful to others on the forum
The online application process was really easy to follow. Just remember to send the necessary documents by registered post.
It can only be the UK now. Consular and embassy services have ceased. You need to apply on line, send in your old passport plus new pictures and fortunately for you the prices has gone down a big chunk from when I renewed mine 11 months ago!
Thank you all for your help. A new passport it is then. Do I have send off to England or can I apply in France?
A carte de sejour is not sufficient, you need a carte d'identite or a passport to travel in Europe.
Well spotted, Véro, I assumed it was an ID card not a carte de séjour as they're not required anymore (last one I had was back in 2001). Looks like you'll need to renew your passport, Jack, if I'm not mistaken, as a non national you need a current passport/national ID card in France to support your carte de séjour ;-)
Thank you both Andrew and Veronique for your fast response. I don't have dual nationality, I have lived for nearly 30 years in the Alps near the Italian border, the Centre near Bourge and my present home in the Charente. I am in possession of a Carte de Sejour Permanente.
I am not sure from your post whether you have dual nationality; If you DO have dual nationality and it is a Carte Nationale d'Identité rather than a carte de séjour, then you don't need anything else to travel within the EU.
no need for a passport within the EU if you have an ID card. My OH and kids only have French ID cards - never a problem as that's all they need for travelling within Europe ;-)