The EU\u2019s Entry\/Exit System is being rolled out progressively<\/p>\n
\n Remember to carry your residency card with you to prove you are a resident and EES-exempt on return
\n eva_blanco\/Shutterstock\n <\/p>\n
Holders of French residency cards must take extra care if planning to travel out of the EU this festive season.<\/p>\n
With the EU\u2019s EES digital borders system being progressively rolled out, it is important to make sure you have the right paperwork.<\/p>\n
The rollout has already led to problems for some families, with The Connexion hearing cases of children having to be registered in EES because they lacked formal proof of residency.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Minors under 18 do not usually have their own residency cards, but without a DCEM (Document de circulation pour \u00e9tranger mineur) they may be treated as short-stay visitors subject to the 90\/180-day rule.\u00a0<\/p>\n Families travelling with children are therefore advised to have DCEMs for them<\/a> if possible.<\/p>\n Adults who live in France with Brexit WA cards – or other French residency cards – should also remember to carry their cards with them to prove they are residents and EES-exempt on return, or otherwise their expired card plus a r\u00e9c\u00e9piss\u00e9 from the prefecture if they have recently applied to renew.<\/p>\n Anyone lacking such evidence may be asked to register in EES, potentially leading to confusion on their next travels across Schengen borders.\u00a0<\/p>\n If going to the UK, Britons should also remember to take a valid British passport even if you have a dual nationality, as proof of exemption from the UK\u2019s ETA entry permission scheme<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n A certain tolerance is expected to continue until February 25, but official UK sources are already asking that dual nationals comply with this rule.<\/p>\n Irish citizens going to the UK should also ensure they have a valid Irish passport.<\/p>\n All other nationals living in France (who do not have British or Irish nationality), must remember to apply for an ETA if going to the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n Finally, any Britons or other non-EU nationals planning to visit France this festive season should expected to be EES-registered, and may also wish to check the UK’s France Travel advice<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n