Guidance

Voisins Voices: December 2022

Updated 19 December 2023

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Welcome

Welcome to this latest edition including our Ambassador Menna Rawlings’ seasonal greetings, a few words on Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, information on travel over the coming weeks and more. Please do forward this to anyone you think would find it useful.

You can also sign up to our distribution list by filling in the form with your email address and name. As always, our online Living in France guide has the most up to date information, whether you have lived in France for many years, or recently arrived. You can also register on this page to be notified of updates.

Seasonal greetings from His Majesty’s Ambassador to France, Menna Rawlings

2022 is almost at a close. What a year it’s been! But I’m proud of the role my teams have played across the UK in France Network to support British nationals and bring our community together.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed visiting all 13 regions of metropolitan France, meeting Brits living all over the country along the way. I have welcomed the chance to listen to your views first-hand, which has helped to inform our continued lobbying of the French authorities on issues of concern.

This year, for example, we’ve pressed for as simple a process as possible when children turning 18 apply for their Withdrawal Agreement residency permit; and secured practical arrangements for British seasonal workers in France to apply for their carte de séjour and gain access to national healthcare.

We’ve also brought together the British community for celebratory moments such as the Platinum Jubilee. Our Paddington tea party was a particular highlight, but most memorable for me was standing under the Arc de Triomphe with President Macron at a ravivage ceremony in Her Majesty’s honour!

Of course we also came together for a sadder moment, the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The outpouring in France of love, respect and support from our community and beyond was deeply moving. President Macron led the tributes; and more than 3000 members of the public signed our condolence books (with many more signing on-line). I know there were many touching moments of commemoration in communities up and down the country too: thank you to all who took part.

We also promoted the best of the UK here in France, both by celebrating our four nations’ national days and by providing opportunities for British businesses to meet new partners and customers in France, for example through our “So British” trade showcase or our events around the Salon International de l’Alimentation. And after some difficult years, I’m pleased to say we saw a strong rebound in trade and tourism between the UK and France, with goods exports from the UK now exceeding 2019 levels.

But it’s now time to look ahead to 2023, which promises to be a year of opportunity.

We are working with France to organise a UK-France Summit next year, the first since 2018, and an important occasion for our leaders to meet and forge a renewed partnership between our two countries.

We will celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation in May, a moment to look ahead to the future, while leaning on the depth of the relationship between France and our Royal Family.

And we look forward to welcoming our home teams to the Rugby World Cup in the autumn, a great moment to celebrate the strength and diversity of the United Kingdom. I’ll be cheering particularly loudly for Wales! We will also be working with the French authorities to ensure British fans have all the information they need to enjoy the tournament safely.

As always, I would encourage you to sign up to our Embassy social media pages and check our Travel Advice and Living in France guide, to make sure you’re aware of the latest news which might affect you. If you’re travelling over the festive period, your carrier will be able to provide the latest information about your journey and any changes that might be necessary.

With that, from all of us here at the Embassy, and from our posts in Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Since our last edition, the world came together in mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.

We were moved to see the number of people who sent messages following the announcement, or who came to sign the condolence books at the Embassy. Over 3,000 people came to the Embassy in Paris, with further tributes paid across France in Strasbourg, Marseille, Monaco and at our delegations to UNESCO and OECD.

From British nationals, to school children, to the French public, and current and former presidents, it was a moment in history that we were honoured to share with you.

Below are a few of the messages that people left outside the Embassy.

Winter travel

Many of you may be travelling over the festive season to see family, friends or to have a well deserved break!

If you are travelling, please be aware that we are likely to see an increase in traffic which may lead to delays at certain times.

As you may have seen in the news, industrial action in the UK in December may create additional disruption, so do regularly check in with your transport provider to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

Below are links to some popular travel operators, airports and ports’ Twitter accounts for live updates:

Read more on our France Travel Advice.

Update on residency rights for seasonal workers

Our citizens’ rights team visited Grenoble earlier this month where they met with the local French Immigration services (OFII) and Isere Prefecture.

We are happy to confirm that the residency process (carte de séjour) for UK nationals who work seasonally in France during the ski season is being simplified to allow more of the process to be completed before arriving in France.

We continue to work with the French authorities on this and other issues that affect UK nationals in France.

For all the latest information please check our Living in France Guide.

Ski season

The ski season is here and many of you might be heading to the mountains! While there’s lots of fun to be had, it’s important to stay safe on the slopes.

Here are some top tips:

Before you go

  • read our Travel Advice
  • buy appropriate insurance: make sure your travel insurance covers the activities you want to do and know what the exemptions to your insurance policy are. Medical costs and returning to the UK unexpectedly can be very expensive. Many insurance policies will not cover damage to rental equipment or skiing off-piste without a guide, and many policies require you to wear a helmet at all times. Check your policy before you go!
  • check the Ski Club of Great Britain’s website for information about how to plan and safely enjoy a ski holiday
  • check your EHIC or GHIC: if you’re travelling in the European Union (EU) or Switzerland, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The EHIC and GHIC provide medically necessary state-provided healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK. The healthcare provider in the country you’re visiting decides whether treatment is medically necessary. The EHIC or GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property
  • make sure you’re fit to ski: winter sports are physical activities, make sure you consider your health and fitness before you travel. If you’re not physically prepared, you’re also more likely to injure yourself
  • if you have not skied for a while, consider joining a refresher class

When you’re at the ski resort

  • follow local advice: understand your resort, including information about the pistes and any local laws or regulations. You can ask your travel company or the local tourist information for details
  • think about wearing a helmet many insurance policies require you to wear a helmet on the slopes regardless of the local legal requirements. In some resorts, it is a legal requirement for children and young people to wear helmets. Check the rules in the resort and the requirements of your insurance policy
  • choose the right routes: look at the piste map, and understand what it shows you. Be aware of how pistes are classified to indicate their difficulty and choose the right routes or pistes for you. This will help ensure you do not overstretch yourself and get into a tricky situation. Know your limits and do not attempt slopes beyond your level of ability
  • follow the skiing code of conduct: read the International Ski Federation (FIS) rules of conduct for skiers and snowboarders on the SkiClub GB website. They help everyone stay safe on the slopes, and know what to do if there is an accident
  • if you are considering off-piste skiing, make sure you understand the risks, you’re properly prepared, know how to keep yourself and others safe, and have the right equipment. Check whether your insurance covers you for off-piste. You can find details of equipment you’ll need and courses on SkiClub GB’s website
  • be avalanche and weather aware: snow reports, weather forecasts and avalanche risk levels are available in-resort at the lift stations. Snow and weather reports and information on avalanches are also on SkiClub GB’s website
  • be drink aware: alcohol affects your resistance and awareness of the cold, and also impairs your judgement, co-ordination and reaction time, both on the slopes and après-ski. Drinking alcohol at altitude will affect you more quickly, and your insurance cover may not be valid if you injure yourself or others whilst intoxicated

Healthcare while you travel

If you make social security contributions in France, you should be entitled to a France-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and should carry this with you when travelling.

All EU-issued EHICs remain valid for necessary care when visiting the UK and other EU Member States. We still recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance when travelling, including health cover, as an EHIC does not cover certain things such as repatriation. Click here more information on getting a French EHIC.

If your healthcare is covered by the UK, you should be entitled to a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Existing UK-issued EHICs also remain valid for necessary care when visiting EU Member States until the expiration date on the card. They do not need to be replaced immediately. Once it expires, it can be replaced with a new GHIC issued by the UK. Please also share this message with any visiting friends or family from the UK to France.

Watch this video to find out how to apply for healthcare in France.

Visit the webpages below for more information. The links and contact details can signpost you in the right direction and also connect you to those who can provide support or offer help with technical matters if you need it.

Key websites:

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