I’m hoping someone may be able to help, my sister is visiting next Wednesday for a week, we had done a written invitation along with our proof of residency etc.
However, we found out a couple of days ago that this is not acceptable so had a read about it and went to the Marie’s office-not great timing as we are in August so it’s hours have changed due for this month. Neither the Marie or secretary had any idea about the Attestation but had a look and said they needed to request an official form as they are all numbered. Unable to get one quickly rang some other Marie’s and found one with a form already.
The secretary drove to collect it, we filled it in, bought the stamp so we could get the paperwork stamped and signed by the Marie and get it sent ASAP. Lo and behold, the Marie is now closed, despite us making an appointment…after waiting 90 minutes gave up having realised Monday is a bank holiday in the UK and the chances of anything arriving by Courier by the end of Tuesday is unlikely-even if we can get it stamped and signed today.
Should we go ahead and send her the original invitation etc plus a scan of the attestation d’accueil and proof we bought the €30 stamp and hope for the best? What we don’t want is for my sister to be stressed by not having it all done officially, she’s a lot older than us, retired, doesn’t have a lot of money to waste and given that our mother does a couple of months ago has had to take the burden of arranging/sorting out most of the things associated with this. This was meant to be a break for her away from all the stress and worry and seems to be turning into a nightmare.
Thank you for the reassurance, that was pretty much my thought originally but my sister had looked into it and has it in her head she must have it if that’s what the UK Govt says.
Hopefully people have come into France recently who can tell you their experience. But none of our guests have ever been asked for one! Most recent was in Spring.
(For gites etc the owner is supposed to keep a register of all foreigners, which serves same purpose (
Tell your sister this is nonsense. My friends and colleagues in Strasbourg have had literally hundreds of relatives visiting from the UK this year and nobody’s mentioned having to get an attestation d’accueil.
Sasha, I recall this question popped up a year or two back, and I went along to Immigration at Dieppe (near where I live). I asked them do they (ever) seek such Attestations..The Immigration chap just smiled, said Non, then repeated it in English…
Thank you all, it seems it’s something to do with the person being able to support themselves while here so if at a gite or hotel that’s taken care of although I don’t know if it’s true or not.
It’s easier said than done with my sister she thinks if anyone will get stopped it will be her, none of this helped by reading on line you can be refused entry.
I kind of think that the fact the Marie or secretary knew nothing of this, considering we get a lot of UK visitors in the area, which no doubt includes family and friends, does make me think there’s nothing to worry about.
I think I read recently that this refers more with visits to Spain than anywhere else as they have implemented so much in the past couple of years where foreigners and visitors are concerned.
I seem to recall it was bought in here in France after the Bataclan terror ( or something similar) when the powers that be realised they had no way of identifying where foreigners were.
I think the last time this was discussed the same conclusion was reached - no one knows anyone who has actually been asked for one.
I suppose if someone came into France and looked like they could not support themselves and did not have a hotel booked the attestation might mean the difference between PAF saying a polite but very firm “non” and letting someone enter.
Don’t bother. We did it at the outset but after that not at all and no one has asked for it. Our Marie had to have it explained that first time as they knew nothing about it.
As the owner of a Maison secondaire, I’ve never been asked for any kind of document or proof of where I’m staying. It seems to me like a ‘good idea’ rule made in haste and then shelved at leisure.
she thinks if anyone will get stopped it will be her, none of this helped by reading on line you can be refused entry.