Le Touquet & Passports
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Le Touquet & Passports
Two quick questions:
1) Is it possible to go to France with a photo driving license (i.e. without a passport)? I've heard this is possible for certain countries in the EU as I am still waiting for my passport renewal to come through.
2) Does L2k still want to see the VAT reg documents of every aircraft that flies in?
Thanks,
J
1) Is it possible to go to France with a photo driving license (i.e. without a passport)? I've heard this is possible for certain countries in the EU as I am still waiting for my passport renewal to come through.
2) Does L2k still want to see the VAT reg documents of every aircraft that flies in?
Thanks,
J
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L2K will usually accept you with some other form of id - a driving license for example. It is worth 'phoning first which I did this autumn for one of my passsengers. Having said that they rarely check in any event.
Never been asked for the VAT docs in L2K, but it occurs to me you may be N reg about which the French are more sensitive.
Never been asked for the VAT docs in L2K, but it occurs to me you may be N reg about which the French are more sensitive.
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Le Touquet have never asked for VAT documentation, other than for N-registered aircraft, and that was only if your visit happened to coincide with the occasional inspections performed by French Customs (who are no longer resident). By treaty, a French customs official is not entitled to query the VAT status of an aircraft that is registered elsewhere within the EU. Despite lots of friend-of-a-friend style stories, nobody has come up with a first-hand example to the contrary.
Travel to France requires a valid Passport. This may be waived by prior arrangement with Customs and Immigration, but since they are no longer resident at Le Touquet, there is nobody at the airport empowered to offer that waiver.
Bear in mind also that French law requires you to be in possession of identity papers at all times. For the time-being at least, a passport is all that you have to fulfil that requirement.
Without a little care, threads like this can turn into advice on "what you can get away with on a good day", or "what I once did and it turned out OK".
Happy New Year!
2D
Travel to France requires a valid Passport. This may be waived by prior arrangement with Customs and Immigration, but since they are no longer resident at Le Touquet, there is nobody at the airport empowered to offer that waiver.
Bear in mind also that French law requires you to be in possession of identity papers at all times. For the time-being at least, a passport is all that you have to fulfil that requirement.
Without a little care, threads like this can turn into advice on "what you can get away with on a good day", or "what I once did and it turned out OK".
Happy New Year!
2D
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Only this autumn the official at L2K was quite prepared to fax me confirmation they would accept my passenger without a passport - a driving license was deemed acceptable. Whether or not the official was within her authority to do that I do not know, but equally without evidence to the contrary I would be a little worried about assuming she did not have the authority. In fact it is my understanding that a British citizen is entitled to enter France with only a national id card - of course the problem at the moment is we do not issue UK id cards but I think this is why for private flights to France the officials will accept some form of national id.
"But, contrary to popular belief, identity cards in France are voluntary. Some 99% of people carry them because they have become essential. You need them to vote, to collect social security benefits or even to visit the post office. Indeed there has always been a pragmatic liberal view in this country in favour of identity cards which argues that we already carry so many bits of plastic that we might as well have just one multi-purpose card, permitting travel on a bus, taking money out or getting into the office."
Quote from the Guardian.
2Donkeys is of course correct in what he says but then again many will say you must carry an id card in France but .. .. ..
and then there is the law and perhaps we are all guessing?
"But, contrary to popular belief, identity cards in France are voluntary. Some 99% of people carry them because they have become essential. You need them to vote, to collect social security benefits or even to visit the post office. Indeed there has always been a pragmatic liberal view in this country in favour of identity cards which argues that we already carry so many bits of plastic that we might as well have just one multi-purpose card, permitting travel on a bus, taking money out or getting into the office."
Quote from the Guardian.
2Donkeys is of course correct in what he says but then again many will say you must carry an id card in France but .. .. ..
and then there is the law and perhaps we are all guessing?
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Only this autumn the official at L2K was quite prepared to fax me confirmation
The mandatory carrying of an identity card ended in 1955 in France, I am now told... sorry for the duff gen.
As far as the original question goes... you need a passport. Go with anything else armed only with the advice of the Bureau de Piste at Le Touquet, and 9 times out of 10 you may "get away with it", but you should be under no illusions.
Last edited by 2Donkeys; 1st Jan 2006 at 22:12.
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
one of my potential passenger is foreign (international student doing her master degree) and require a visa for entering french land. so i guess this means she would have to get a visa (costing something ridiculous) just for a lunch break over the channel. meaning not worth while for the amount and effort for the visa?!?
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
so i guess this means she would have to get a visa
meaning not worth while for the amount and effort for the visa?!?
A judgement call only you and your friend can make!
Shouldn't they be studying?
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Interstingly, no one has mentioned getting back into the UK without a passport. Whilst I have, many times, entered France and other EU countries without having to show my passport, I have nearly always needed it to get back into the UK. I say "nearly always" because there have been times, mainly whilst coming back on a private flight as opposed to with a commercial carrier, when I have not been asked for my passport.
Anyway, the point is that you might get into France without a passport but you might not get back into the UK without one!
Aiglon
Anyway, the point is that you might get into France without a passport but you might not get back into the UK without one!
Aiglon
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
I cannot remember the last time I was asked for my passport either when entering France or returning to the UK when in the Jodel.
However, you can guarantee that the first time I forget to take it will be when I will be asked for it!
However, you can guarantee that the first time I forget to take it will be when I will be asked for it!
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
National: United Kingdom (Great Britain) GB
Destination: France (FR)
Passport Required.
1. Visa not required for stay of max 3 months if holding passport endorsed:
a. British Citizen; or
. British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see TIRULES/R16 ) provided issued in Bermuda; or
c. provided also bearing the endorsement "holder is
entitled to readmission into the U.K. or holder has
the right of abode in U.K.":
- all other passports endorsed British Overseas
Territories Citizen (previously referred to as
British Dependent Territories Citizen , see
TIRULES/R16 ) ; or
- British Overseas Citizen ; or
- British Protected Person .
2. In all other cases: visa required.
Visitor must hold:
- return/onward ticket;
- sufficient funds.
Visas for France are also valid for French Guiana, French West
Indies and Reunion.
Non-compliance with the entry regulations may result in fines
up to EUR 5,000.-.
Minors up to/incl. 17 years of age may be included in parent's
passport, provided travelling with parents.
Minors born and residing in France, and included in their
parents' non-French passport, must hold a 'Titre d'Identite
Republicain'.
Destination: France (FR)
Passport Required.
1. Visa not required for stay of max 3 months if holding passport endorsed:
a. British Citizen; or
. British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see TIRULES/R16 ) provided issued in Bermuda; or
c. provided also bearing the endorsement "holder is
entitled to readmission into the U.K. or holder has
the right of abode in U.K.":
- all other passports endorsed British Overseas
Territories Citizen (previously referred to as
British Dependent Territories Citizen , see
TIRULES/R16 ) ; or
- British Overseas Citizen ; or
- British Protected Person .
2. In all other cases: visa required.
Visitor must hold:
- return/onward ticket;
- sufficient funds.
Visas for France are also valid for French Guiana, French West
Indies and Reunion.
Non-compliance with the entry regulations may result in fines
up to EUR 5,000.-.
Minors up to/incl. 17 years of age may be included in parent's
passport, provided travelling with parents.
Minors born and residing in France, and included in their
parents' non-French passport, must hold a 'Titre d'Identite
Republicain'.
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Originally Posted by effortless
TotalBeginnerI think that this is all a bit out of date. Pre-Shengen perhaps.
YOU DO NOT NEED A SCHENGEN VISA TO GO TO FRANCE
As a National from one of the countries cited below, you do not require a visa to go to France, as long as your stay does not exceed 3 months.
Andorra El Salvador Monaco
Argentina United States of America New Zealand
Australia Guatemala South Korea
Bermuda Honduras Norway
Bolivia Hong-Kong (blue passports only) Panama
Brazil Iceland Paraguay
Brunei Israel Roumania
Bulgary Japan San Marino
Canada Liechenstein Singapour
Chile Malaisia Switzerland
Costa Rica Mexico Uruguay
Croatia Vatican Venezuela
However you may be asked, either at the borders of entry or within the Schengen space, to produce proofs of financial means of support, hotel bookings or your return ticket to your country of residence.
NB: Nationals from Bermuda, even if visa-exempt to go to France, should contact the other Shengen countries to ascertain visa requirements.
As a National from one of the countries cited below, you do not require a visa to go to France, as long as your stay does not exceed 3 months.
Andorra El Salvador Monaco
Argentina United States of America New Zealand
Australia Guatemala South Korea
Bermuda Honduras Norway
Bolivia Hong-Kong (blue passports only) Panama
Brazil Iceland Paraguay
Brunei Israel Roumania
Bulgary Japan San Marino
Canada Liechenstein Singapour
Chile Malaisia Switzerland
Costa Rica Mexico Uruguay
Croatia Vatican Venezuela
However you may be asked, either at the borders of entry or within the Schengen space, to produce proofs of financial means of support, hotel bookings or your return ticket to your country of residence.
NB: Nationals from Bermuda, even if visa-exempt to go to France, should contact the other Shengen countries to ascertain visa requirements.
Andy
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
As the UK is not a "Schengen" country, any concessions granted to those countries are not available to UK citizens. Accordingly, you require a passport (or other acceptable document) to enter France. If there is a requirement for a visa, then that requirement must be complied with also. Only the French government can tell you what their officers who are conducting immigration checks will accept.
For entry to the UK, you require a passport and, if applicable, a visa. I am not aware of any other document which is acceptable.
So far as the VAT status of the aircraft is concerned, this is a question best addressed to the Douanes (French Customs). It's their ball!
You may "get away with it", but on the other hand, do you really want to see the inside of a French prison (or a UK Immigration Detention Centre)?
For entry to the UK, you require a passport and, if applicable, a visa. I am not aware of any other document which is acceptable.
So far as the VAT status of the aircraft is concerned, this is a question best addressed to the Douanes (French Customs). It's their ball!
You may "get away with it", but on the other hand, do you really want to see the inside of a French prison (or a UK Immigration Detention Centre)?
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Correct - here is the current advice from the French embassy's website
Passport required.
Visa not required for a maximum stay of 3 months provided UK PPT is endorsed Biritish Citizen
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Here is the official version for all Nationalities
FRANCE (FR)
VISA required, except for (see note 21 below):
1. nationals of France;
2. those mentioned under 1. Passport 1., 3.a. and Minors
3.;
3. those mentioned in 1. Passport 7., provided being
resident in one of the countries mentioned in 2. Visa
4. and 5.;
4. holders of British passports endorsed:
a. British Citizen ; or
b. British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see Terms & Definitions) provided issued in Bermuda;
or
c - British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see Terms & Definitions); or
- British Overseas Citizen or
- British Protected Person :
provided bearing endorsement holder is entitled to
readmission into the United Kingdom" or "holder has the
right of abode in the United Kingdom";
5. nationals of:
a. Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium (see note 22
below), Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Rep., Denmark, Finland, Germany (see note 22
below), Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep. of),
Israel (only applicable if holding normal passports),
Italy (see note 22 below), Japan, Korea Rep.,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg (see note 22 below), Malaysia,
Malta, Mexico, Monaco (unlimited stay), Netherlands (see
note 22 below), New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay,
Poland (see note 25 below), Portugal (see note 22 below),
Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Rep., Slovenia,
Spain (see note 22 below), Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay,
U.S.A.
(see note 24 below)
and Vatican City;
b.
holders of Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macao (SAR China)
passports;
6. nationals of Australia and El Salvador holding normal,
consular, diplomatic or official passports;
7. nationals of Turkey holding consular, diplomatic, service
or special passports;
8. nationals of FYROM (Former Yug. Rep. of Macedonia),
Gabon, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia holding consular or
diplomatic passports;
9. nationals of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Venezuela
holding normal, consular, diplomatic or service
passports;
10.nationals of Bolivia and Honduras holding normal,
diplomatic, official or service passports;
11.nationals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania holding normal
or diplomatic passports;
12.nationals of Bulgaria holding normal, diplomatic or
service passports;
13.nationals of Peru holding diplomatic, service or special
passports;
14.nationals of South Africa holding diplomatic or official
passports;
15.nationals of Vietnam holding diplomatic passports;
16.nationals of Ecuador holding diplomatic, official or
service passports;
17.those mentioned in 1. Passport 7.a. and 7.b. provided
their travel document has been issued by France;
18.alien residents of France, French Guiana, French West
Indies and Reunion holding a valid residence permit;
19.those, irrespective of nationality, holding an official
Residence Permit issued by one of the Schengen States
(see Terms & Definitions), Andorra or Monaco;
20.government officials accredited to France;
21.holders of the Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card
(OIAC) for the period of the Winter Olympic and
Paralympic Games 2006. For details see "Important
Highlights
**** NOTES REFERENCED ABOVE ****
*21Visa exemptions are for a stay of max. 3 months unless
otherwise stated.
*22Workers and their families and students may ALSO enter
with their national identity card or expired passport
(when applicable) without visa.
*24Not applicable to nationals of U.S.A. if:
a. holding consular, diplomatic and official passports and
travelling on duty;
b. being a student coming for study in France;
c. being a journalist travelling on duty.
*25Polish students between ages of min. 18 and max. 35 years
old may stay longer than 3 months, provided holding a
valid passport.
VISA required, except for (see note 21 below):
1. nationals of France;
2. those mentioned under 1. Passport 1., 3.a. and Minors
3.;
3. those mentioned in 1. Passport 7., provided being
resident in one of the countries mentioned in 2. Visa
4. and 5.;
4. holders of British passports endorsed:
a. British Citizen ; or
b. British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see Terms & Definitions) provided issued in Bermuda;
or
c - British Overseas Territories Citizen (previously
referred to as British Dependent Territories Citizen ,
see Terms & Definitions); or
- British Overseas Citizen or
- British Protected Person :
provided bearing endorsement holder is entitled to
readmission into the United Kingdom" or "holder has the
right of abode in the United Kingdom";
5. nationals of:
a. Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium (see note 22
below), Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Rep., Denmark, Finland, Germany (see note 22
below), Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep. of),
Israel (only applicable if holding normal passports),
Italy (see note 22 below), Japan, Korea Rep.,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg (see note 22 below), Malaysia,
Malta, Mexico, Monaco (unlimited stay), Netherlands (see
note 22 below), New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay,
Poland (see note 25 below), Portugal (see note 22 below),
Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Rep., Slovenia,
Spain (see note 22 below), Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay,
U.S.A.
(see note 24 below)
and Vatican City;
b.
holders of Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macao (SAR China)
passports;
6. nationals of Australia and El Salvador holding normal,
consular, diplomatic or official passports;
7. nationals of Turkey holding consular, diplomatic, service
or special passports;
8. nationals of FYROM (Former Yug. Rep. of Macedonia),
Gabon, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia holding consular or
diplomatic passports;
9. nationals of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Venezuela
holding normal, consular, diplomatic or service
passports;
10.nationals of Bolivia and Honduras holding normal,
diplomatic, official or service passports;
11.nationals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania holding normal
or diplomatic passports;
12.nationals of Bulgaria holding normal, diplomatic or
service passports;
13.nationals of Peru holding diplomatic, service or special
passports;
14.nationals of South Africa holding diplomatic or official
passports;
15.nationals of Vietnam holding diplomatic passports;
16.nationals of Ecuador holding diplomatic, official or
service passports;
17.those mentioned in 1. Passport 7.a. and 7.b. provided
their travel document has been issued by France;
18.alien residents of France, French Guiana, French West
Indies and Reunion holding a valid residence permit;
19.those, irrespective of nationality, holding an official
Residence Permit issued by one of the Schengen States
(see Terms & Definitions), Andorra or Monaco;
20.government officials accredited to France;
21.holders of the Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card
(OIAC) for the period of the Winter Olympic and
Paralympic Games 2006. For details see "Important
Highlights
**** NOTES REFERENCED ABOVE ****
*21Visa exemptions are for a stay of max. 3 months unless
otherwise stated.
*22Workers and their families and students may ALSO enter
with their national identity card or expired passport
(when applicable) without visa.
*24Not applicable to nationals of U.S.A. if:
a. holding consular, diplomatic and official passports and
travelling on duty;
b. being a student coming for study in France;
c. being a journalist travelling on duty.
*25Polish students between ages of min. 18 and max. 35 years
old may stay longer than 3 months, provided holding a
valid passport.
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Re: Le Touquet & Passports
Not even a close second compared to Astrodome's efforts on the Tube strike thread in JB. Epic posts everyone of them, hats off to him!!!
