What is the future of the French ID scheme?
Thousands of passengers visiting the Channel Islands from France have used a scheme allowing them to use their national ID instead of a passport to cross the border.
However, the future of the scheme could be in doubt after the UK government brought in new rules for non-British or Irish nationals needing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when they arrive.
Jersey and Guernsey’s governments have both said they want the French ID scheme to continue, but would work with the UK on the issue.
The scheme began in 2023 in response to a fall in day trippers from France.
Following Brexit, rules meant visitors from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) – an agreement between the governments of the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Ireland – had to show their passports upon arrival.
In February 2023, French authorities said they would stop funding a ferry service to Jersey unless an agreement could be reached on travel documents, as it was difficult for many French nationals who might not possess a passport.
The Manche Iles Express Ferry, which is partially funded by the Manche Département to run services between France and the Channel Islands, said it was losing money due to the post-Brexit changes.
Guernsey’s government said the changes had also hampered the island’s tourism market and the scheme was launched to help address the issue.
Upon arrival at an approved port, French nationals can show their national ID cards if they are visiting the islands for a day trip.
Manche Iles Express has day trip routes available from Granville, Barneville-Carteret and Diélette to Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
Brittany Ferries runs a day trip services between France and Guernsey while DFDS operates a Jersey to St Malo crossing.
The States of Guernsey said the scheme had been designed to be easy to police as officials could see if the French national had booked return travel on the same day.
What form of ID is allowed to be used?
Only one – a French national ID card.
The card has details including the holder’s name and address along with a passport style photograph of them and are normally valid for 10 years.
Any other form of ID such as a driver’s licence is not valid under the scheme, said the States of Guernsey.
The States said the scheme was reviewed annually and, if renewed, was done so in September.
Jersey’s States Assembly also reviews the scheme annually.
On 4 June, the assembly unanimously approved a proposition to continue the scheme for French day trippers to the island.
How popular is the scheme?
Figures from Manche Iles Express show the number of French who have used their national ID to visit the Channel Islands for a day trip has grown since 2023.
The figures from the company showed the number of day trip passengers who used their national ID:
Separate figures from the States of Guernsey showed 3,536 of the 10,381 French passengers from 28 March to 6 June who visited the island for a day trip had used their national ID card.
What is the future of the scheme?
There have been concerns following the introduction of the ETA scheme.
On 2 April, new rules came into force which required most tourists to have an ETA before getting to the UK border.
Jersey’s Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said the States had received a letter from the UK government which had raised concerns with the scheme. The BBC has requested a copy of the letter.
Le Hegarat said: “We will be speaking to the UK again about the matter in person, I will go with the external relations minister so we can have those discussions about Jersey’s economy and our tourist industry and how we move forward, because it is important we do that.
“It’s critical for us to manage our economy and I’m hoping that the UK can see the evidence from the years we have been running this that it works well and it’s not a risk to the borders and safety.”
In her ministerial comments on the proposition, she said if the UK had concerns about the scheme, which Jersey was unable to mitigate, it could lead “in a worst case scenario, which is considered unlikely, in the implementation of a hard border between the UK and Jersey”.
Guernsey Border Agency said it wanted to extend the scheme for the bailiwick, but added the government would work with the UK to ensure any extension would not impact its membership of the CTA.
It said: “It is the intention in Guernsey to seek to extend the French Identity Card Scheme locally, on the condition it does not place our membership of the Common Travel Area at risk.
“Guernsey Border Agency Officers have been in contact with the UK to discuss the matter of the from a Bailiwick of Guernsey perspective, and will continue to work with UK counterparts around the introduction of ETAs.”
The BBC has asked the UK Home Office for comment.
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