News
10 Aug 2024
French ID card scheme for day trippers extended
In April 2023 was introduced a scheme which allowed French day-trippers to visit the Channel Islands without needing a passport and only needing an ID card (carte nationale d’identité). This scheme, which was set to expire in September 2024, has been extended until September 2025 in both the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. This decision has come after joint discussions between the Channel Islands and the UK government.
However, it should be noted it is unlikely the scheme will extend beyond September 2025, as the UK and the Crown Dependencies will introduce a complete Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, currently planned for the end of next year, which will require non-visa nationals travelling to the Common Travel Area to provide passport details. Identity cards will not be compatible with this process.
The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs of Jersey, Deputy Mary le Hegarat said: “I’m pleased to be able to extend the scheme for another year and so benefit the local tourist industry. Whilst the introduction of the ETA scheme makes further extension potentially problematic it will increase the security of the CTA [= Common Travel Area] and consequently our Island’s borders.”
Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs of Guernsey, said:
“This scheme was initially introduced just for the summer of 2023, but the benefits to local businesses in allowing French travellers into the Bailiwick for day trips were clear, and so we are pleased to have been able to continue it since. France is a country where the number of people who hold a passport is relatively low, and so ensuring they can still travel following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has been very valuable. It is unlikely the scheme will continue when ETAs are introduced, however that scheme will increase the security of the Common Travel Area, and therefore the Bailiwick.”
For more information, please visit the official web page from the Government of Jersey and the States of Guernsey