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Original poster

Will I be able to drive through France?

47 replies

Suprima · 16/12/2021 15:28

I’m travelling to see family in Northern Europe.

Does anyone know if I can take le shuttle and drive through France if I don’t get out of the car?

Can’t find a straight answer anywhere.

OP posts:
AnguaResurgam · 16/12/2021 17:58

Not clear, and I expect the answer will be 'no'

At least one statement says 'under 24 hours at an airport' others refer to just 24 hours.

inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/travel-through-france-uk-can-drive-transit-how-affected-restrictions-explained-1355715

You could try enquiring of the French embassy?

I don't think they're going to be keen on people just driving off into France with no easy way to check where they go ot what they get up t.

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 16/12/2021 18:00

I would guess not, as your point of entry is France.
But definitely don't take my word for it and check official sources.

Billandben444 · 16/12/2021 18:07

So if you break down or need a wee you'll not get out of the car?

MousesBack · 16/12/2021 18:09

Another vote for NO

If they let you in to drive through, how would they know that you genuinely did this?
What if you break down / need a wee / run out of petrol? If I was making the rules it would be a no from me!

Piggy42 · 16/12/2021 18:10

I would have thought no.

catndogslife · 16/12/2021 18:20

I suspect other EU countries will follow France's lead and not allow UK residents into the country very soon.

ShiftingSands21 · 16/12/2021 18:33

What about a ferry to the Netherlands?

Lulu1919 · 16/12/2021 18:40

No you can't enter France

Squidthing · 16/12/2021 18:42

I don't know for certain but when we took shuttle in October and drove through we still had to complete the entry health declaration for France so I would imagine rules do apply regardless.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 16/12/2021 18:44

We were supposed to be transitting through France on Sunday and our flight has switched to Barcelona

brogueish · 16/12/2021 19:02

I would have thought yes as you’re travelling to see family, I thought that was one of the “good enough” reasons for entry?

brogueish · 16/12/2021 19:05

Oh actually no probably not as you’ll have to self isolate for at least 2 days…. But the 24 hour transit time at airports so maybe? …how confusing.

cherin · 16/12/2021 19:06

I’ve done it with the first lockdown, most countries allow for transit as long as it’s below 12 hours and you just stop for toilet/refreshment breaks. The website reopen.europa.eu/en has always been my go to place for info

gogohm · 16/12/2021 19:07

Take the zeebrugge route to avoid france?

cherin · 16/12/2021 19:09

This has NOT been updated yet, but it says:
Last update: 14-12-2021

May I transit this country?
All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival (for PCR test) or within 48 hours prior to arrival (for antigenic test).
Children aged 11 and under are exempted, as well as holders of the EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC).
Transit by Air:
International transits of less than 24h are allowed, if travellers don't leave the airport.
Borders in the European area are open with the obligation to carry out an RT-PCR test less than 72h before entry, or an antigenic test taken 48 hours before entry (except for connecting passengers whose destination does not require a test).
Find out more:
Information to passengers - Paris Aéroport
As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restrictions.
EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.
Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.

LawnFever · 16/12/2021 19:09

@brogueish

I would have thought yes as you’re travelling to see family, I thought that was one of the “good enough” reasons for entry?
It’s not listed, no OP I don’t think you can, visiting relatives isn’t a ‘compelling’ reason and they have no way of knowing you will drive straight there.

When you say ‘northern Europe’ where exactly do you mean? Can’t you fly direct there?

Immaculatemisconception · 16/12/2021 19:10

Definitely not.

Frenchfancy · 16/12/2021 19:16

No. If you were a resident of the other EU country you could, but not to visit family.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 16/12/2021 19:18

No, you can’t

Original poster
Suprima · 16/12/2021 19:29

DP who is travelling with us is a citizen of said country. We appear to meet the criteria for a ‘compelling reason’ based on what has been released from France- I’m just slightly concerned about french border control because of my non EU passport. We are allowed to travel according to the rules- my nationality doesn’t matter as OH is an EU citizen Hmm

Will I be able to drive through France?
OP posts:
Original poster
Suprima · 16/12/2021 19:30

Unfortunately have to drive. No way around this.

OP posts:
FingonTheValiant · 16/12/2021 20:41

So your DP is an EU citizen and you’re transmitting through to your primary residence? You can do that. You can’t travel through just to visit family though.

FingonTheValiant · 16/12/2021 20:41

Transitting, not transmitting...

ChiefStockingStuffer · 16/12/2021 20:45

Highly unlikely, I'm afraid.

brogueish · 16/12/2021 21:29

Yes, if that list is from an official source, you can certainly travel under the provisions in the second bullet.