Pilot scheme for French day-trippers launched today
From today (Wednesday 26th April) until Saturday 30th September 2023, French nationals will be able to travel to the Bailiwick of Guernsey on a day trip using their National Identity Cards on one of the direct commercial ferry services.
26 April 2023
Key elements of the pilot scheme, agreed by the Committee for Home Affairs, are:
- The scheme is only available to French nationals
- The national identity card used by the French national is within the validity dates printed on the identity card
- The scheme is not extended to other nationalities, even if they are travelling with a French national
- The scheme is only for direct sailings from Normandy or Brittany to St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey or Braye Harbour, Alderney (after arrival, people can explore the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but must depart on the return sailing later that day).
- The scheme does not allow passengers to transit through the Bailiwick onwards to the United Kingdom, Jersey or the Isle of Man
- Carriers will only take bookings for French nationals travelling on day trips where a return ticket has been booked for return on the same day
The pilot scheme will be reviewed regularly by the Guernsey Border Agency to ensure compliance.
Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union a requirement was introduced for travellers arriving into the Common Travel Area to carry a valid passport as a travel document, other than a few exceptions listed here Entering the UK: Before you leave for the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Statement from Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs:
‘We are pleased to have been able to put this pilot scheme in place, following discussions at political and officer level with colleagues from the UK Home Office, which followed early discussions with Jersey. Following Brexit, which introduced the requirement for EU nationals to use passports rather than identity cards, we have seen an impact on travel numbers by sea from France to the Channel Islands because of French nationals’ preference for using identity cards. This pilot scheme for day-trippers is a positive development that respects our unique relationship with France while also being respectful of our position within the Common Travel Area.’
