Hopes To Extend French Day-Tripper ID Scheme

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 07:00

Guernsey's Home Affairs committee intends to extend a scheme that allows French day-trippers to come to the island using their national ID cards.

Under Brexit rules a passport had to be used by EU nationals entering the islands.

The majority of French people don't have one, and the consequence was a big fall in visitor numbers to Channel Islands.

In the spring, Guernsey and Jersey announced temporary schemes to allow day-trippers on on their ID cards instead.

Jersey's government says it led to a 'significant' upturn in French tourist numbers this season.

This week, the island's Home Affairs Minister announced a 12 month extension, until the end of September 2024.

Guernsey's States is in discussion with the UK Home Office and hopes to officially announce the extension soon.

"We have been in discussion with colleagues in Jersey at a political and officer level and the UK Home Office, regarding the extension of our French day-tripper scheme. The pilot scheme this summer was very successful and we are keen to extend it for another year.

I can confirm that it is our intention to introduce a similar extension. We have some further discussion to do with the UK on this and will seek to provide an update as soon as possible." - Deputy Rob Prow, Home Affairs President.

Doubts were cast over the future of the scheme when Island FM reported the UK's intention to bring in an 'Electronic Travel Authorisation', which will require all non British and Irish citizens to get permission to travel the country and its dependencies.

In response, Jersey's government said it believed a deal could be struck to allow the ID card arrangement to continue,