Passport channels UK->F

Brexit
1

Maybe this is a topic a little fusty - but I’m posting here since not finding a related thread elsewhen/where …

A question posted out of curiosity, really, to see what the general experience has been of those travelling UK->France with a WARP-factor titre de sejour - which passport queue have you used on re-entering France ?

I’ve had three types of experience, listed in chronological order (same card, travelling on an EU burgundy passport):

  1. Trying via the EU/EEE channel, passage permitted but advised next time to use the ‘all other passports’ queue (pre-2023).

  2. Trying via the EU/EEE channel, passage refused and turfed off to the back of the ‘all other passports’ queue (say, a couple years ago).

  3. Using the ‘all other passports’ channel, then advised to benefit from the EU/EEE queue by virtue of the ‘FR’ printed on the carte (last month).

As I understood it, chapter & verse of the pertinent regulations were these (emphasis added), which should allow EU channel passage:

RÈGLEMENT (UE) 2016/399 DU PARLEMENT EUROPÉEN ET DU CONSEIL (JO L 077 du 23.3.2016, p. 1)

du 9 mars 2016 concernant un code de l’Union relatif au régime de franchissement des frontières par les personnes (code frontières Schengen)

[…] Article 10 Aménagement de couloirs séparés et signalisation

[…]

2. Les personnes jouissant du droit à la libre circulation au titre du droit de l’Union sont autorisées à emprunter les couloirs indiqués par le panneau figurant dans la partie A («UE, EEE, CH») de l’annexe III. Elles peuvent également emprunter les couloirs indiqués par le panneau figurant dans les parties B1 («visa non requis») et B2 («tous passeports») de l’annexe III.

[…]

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02016R0399-20190611

-

ACCORD sur le retrait du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d’Irlande du Nord de l’Union européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l’énergie atomique 2019/C 384 I/01

Document 12019W/TXT(02)

XT/21054/2019/INIT

OJ C 384I , 12.11.2019, p. 1–177

[…]

Article 14 Droit de sortie et d’entrée

1. Les citoyens de l’Union et les ressortissants du Royaume-Uni, les membres de leur famille respective et les autres personnes qui séjournent sur le territoire de l’État d’accueil dans les conditions énoncées au présent titre ont le droit de quitter l’État d’accueil et le droit d’y entrer, conformément à l’Article 4, paragraphe 1, et à l’Article 5, paragraphe 1, premier alinéa, de la directive 2004/38/CE, s’ils sont munis d’un passeport ou d’une carte d’identité nationale en cours de validité pour les citoyens de l’Union et les ressortissants du Royaume-Uni, et d’un passeport en cours de validité pour les membres de leur famille respective et les autres personnes qui ne sont pas citoyens de l’Union ou ressortissants du Royaume-Uni.

[…]

2. Aucun visa de sortie, visa d’entrée ou formalité équivalente n’est exigé des titulaires d’un document en cours de validité délivré conformément à l’Article 18 ou 26.

[…]

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12019W/TXT(02)

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I suppose this EES business might have made a difference.

The EU passport is about to expire and will of course get a GB&NI replacement. Will that, I wonder, make a difference ?

Would be handy to be able to choose which queue looks best expedient on arrival …

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Returning to France from the UK in May at Bergerac airport, a Douane officer with BBC World Service standard English told everyone who was a French Resident to join the EU/EEA/CH passport holders queue.

I suspect this was down to this tiny airport having zero automated E/ES gates and knowing that putting Brits with CdS in the EU queue would speed up entry for everyone.

My handing over my new blue British passport and my CdS accompanied by a friendly “Bonjour” got me across the French border in under 45 seconds.

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How are you travelling into France? Different procedures at different ports of entry, e.g. travelling by car into Caen or St Malo there are no different queues (at the moment)

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“sont autorisées à emprunter les couloirs indiqués par le panneau figurant dans la partie A («UE, EEE, CH») de l’annexe III.”

I didn’t think Article 50/WARP card holders had the right to free movement (across the EU), unlike EU citizens and their accompanying family members?

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That’s my understanding too, George.

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These instances are returning through an airport …

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The last time I took a car through Dieppe the booths were marked either for EU etc, or non-EU etc. Looking at the car reg plates, no one was taking any notice of them.

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We don’t have FoM but if you have a residence permit and here our Art50, you can cross without being stamped, however, the Art50 is not a travel document and a valid passport is still required.

I think you’ll find most airports/ports will send resident permit holders through the EU lane, but it’s never a question anyone can answer with 100% accuracy as it depends where you are and the person standing guard.

5 Likes
9

On a quick search: a European Council note (dated 14 July 2023) states “Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries have their previously exercised free movement rights, which they enjoyed as EU citizens, grandfathered only in their host State. With regard to movement in Schengen States other than their host State, they are to be treated as third-country nationals legally resident in that host State.”

So, that would mean in this context entering France should permit use of EU/EEA passport channel, but not via any other EU state ?

It does seem that application of the regulations may in any case have changed as of 10 April 2026 related to the EES arrangements (?) …

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On a slight aside, the port of Bilbao was a model of efficiency with the new system. Photo and prints done very promptly.

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Transiting via CDG from Clermont, the people on duty at CDG sent us through the GB channel (other passports) when travelling to the UK and back again a fortnight ago.

Similarly, traveling to Montreal from Clermont via CDG, we were once again sent through the GB channel (other passports).

This happened even though we said we were WA-TDS holders.

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There is an interesting parallel with EU family CdS. When I (a Brit) accompany my EU citizen wife, I have FoM, but when I travel alone, I don’t. In practice I therefore use the EU passports lane when travelling with her, and the non EU passports lane when travelling alone.

2 Likes
13

Yes that’s right.

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Which confirms it depends on where you are and who redirects you as many others are redirected to the EU lane elsewhere, there is no legislation that says we have to be treated as EU citizens going through customs only that the WA was written on EU rules and as most officials have no idea about the WA it’s too niche, best just go where you are directed. Less stress.

4 Likes
15

Came over to Caen, Ouistreham crossing on Tuesday. No signs of any EU procedures being implemented at Portsmouth port. Nor for the entry into France on the other side of the channel. Just a passport scan and a wave through by the customs.

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Ditto @ Cherbourg. Thought the ship Barfleur was a bit grubby though. Maybe it’s her last season.

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Brittany ferries has just finished their crossing to Le Havre. As of now and not the advertised date.

They seem to be wanting to improve crossings to Ireland.

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Barfleur is currently Poole Cherbourg but that route is due to end November. Looking at the previous post maybe earlier?
Barfleur and Cotentin are both due to be sold.