Lockdown in France

[Janosh]

We are selling an apartment in Chamonix and signed our Compromis a few weeks ago with a view to completing towards the end of November. Just feeling a little nervous due to obvious uncertainties!

Are property sales currently going through as planned? Are there any issues with (what would be routine) mortgage application approvals?

[Sebastian Tombs]

We didn't get stopped on the way back to UK on Sunday. Possibly because we have UK plates on the car, or possibly because it was Toussaint weekend.

[Rushjob]

Janosh said:

We are selling an apartment in Chamonix and signed our Compromis a few weeks ago with a view to completing towards the end of November. Just feeling a little nervous due to obvious uncertainties!

Are property sales currently going through as planned? Are there any issues with (what would be routine) mortgage application approvals?

I know that sales are in our area (63) at least - our neighbours signed their Compromis de Vente yesterday.

[Rushjob]

Sebastian Tombs said:

We didn't get stopped on the way back to UK on Sunday. Possibly because we have UK plates on the car, or possibly because it was Toussaint weekend.

There was sort of dispensation for the Toussaint weekend mentioned in Macron's speech so that makes sense.

[rdjohn]

Sebastian Tombs said:

We didn't get stopped on the way back to UK on Sunday. Possibly because we have UK plates on the car, or possibly because it was Toussaint weekend.

I think there is something in International Law, perhaps under ECHR - freedom to move, that you should always have rights of passage to return to your main home.

[RizzoTheRat]

Anyone know what's happing with transiting France at the moment? We're booked on the Dunkirk-Dover ferry at the beginning of December (after France's current lockdown should end), driving from the Netherlands to the UK. News sites suggest international borders are mostly closed and they're testing new arrivals. Not sure about the above comment about right of passage to your home, as we're on UK passports but Dutch residents in a Dutch plated car.

[rdjohn]

Your main residence is determined by your EU tax status I.e. where do you spend more than 183 days, each year. Which home is of greater value and your centre of economic interest. Passport is unimportant, it simply determines your nationality.

Until 31st December the U.K. is still considered to be within EU borders. Trans EU border crossing is permitted for the time being - there are exceptions like not being able to enter Andalusia by car.

It is arrivals from outside the EU borders that need to have a negative, test upon arrival in France.

[RizzoTheRat]

So as a Dutch resident entering France from the UK in January I might need a test if they're still on tight rules by then (and the ferries are running), but heading to the UK before the end of December should be fine?

[Carbon Sasquatch]

You're asking what the rules in January will be ??

If anyone provides an answer to that, then they are speculating...... so I will

Even December is unclear - for that matter, even now is a bit of a roll of the dice.

It depends on the purpose of your trip as much as anything

The car registration & then the passport will have most impact on whether you are stopped and asked - residency is useful after that, but a lot will likely be subjective and up to to the person asking the questions.

[Rushjob]

This is the current position, December, who knows?

For foreign nationals entering France

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france...

Uk nationals returning to the UK

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-co...

[Rushjob]

So it seems things will be relaxing a bit over the coming weeks. No bars or restaurants till at least mid Jan though.....

[WyrleyD]

I read a report this morning saying that Monoprix have banners up in their stores ridiculing the government, not there so I can't verify the voracity of it but it was in the Spectator magazine, they also state that the police are not being as strict this time.

[smifffymoto]

Holy fk.....we now live in a Police state.Castex has laid out the new attestation rules.

[RizzoTheRat]

smifffymoto said:

Holy fk.....we now live in a Police state.Castex has laid out the new attestation rules.

Care to summarise? The .interieur.gouv.fr site still only seems to be showing the rules that case in the end of last month.

I'm surprised they're being that tight, the last 2 weeks have seen their official figures drop from 80 cases per 100k to 25 in the last couple of weeks, so whatever they've been doing for the last month has worked.

[smifffymoto]

In essence you have to be able to prove where you are going and the reason and on who’s behalf.

[RizzoTheRat]

I assume the list of reasons hasn't changed from the current form?

I believe freedom of movement rules and foreign plates should mean I'll be fine heading for the Dunkirk ferry, but transiting the country isn't one of the options on the attestation form.

https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du...

[Rushjob]

smifffymoto said:

In essence you have to be able to prove where you are going and the reason and on who’s behalf.

Hasn't that been the case since the start anyway? I've been stopped a few times and asked those very questions, answered them and, on one occasion, showed an email confirming a RDV with a client, happy Gendarme and me off to finish my journey.

[old'uns]

What's the general concensus on being able to come over again?

I've sort of resigned myself it may not even happen this year TBH so it could be close on 18 momths minimum since last there

[rdjohn]

There is some speculation that when Macron speaks on Wednesday we could be re-confined.

https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/covid-19-l-execu...

Efforts to vaccinate in Europe generally, are poor compared to the UK.

Easter will be the pivotal moment. If things do not open then, it could well be July, or even later.

[RONV]

we are not booking any trips this year until we are sure it's safe and our French Motor Club said it is not committing to any events in May and September at the moment and will let us know ASAP.