French daytripper ID scheme to continue

French day trippers are set to be able to continue to come to Jersey with just their national ID, despite new Electronic Travel Authorisations being introduced.

The States Assembly has unanimously backed continuing with a scheme to boost visitor numbers from France.

They declined sharply post-Brexit because of the demands for a passport, which many French nationals don't have.

In 2023, a trial was introduced to allow French nationals to come to Jersey for the day by ferry with just their ID card as proof of identity.

The scheme has twice been extended, but there was doubt it would be able to continue beyond autumn 2025 because the UK is introducing tighter border controls, which extends to the Crown Dependencies.

ETA will demand travellers provide a valid passport in advance to receive permission to travel to the UK and Channel Islands.

It mirrors the US ESTA scheme, while the EU is introducing similar provisions under its European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Deputy Philip Bailhache brought the vote to the States to continue with the scheme, to maintain vital tourism from France.

Ministers accepted the proposal, saying work has been going on behind the scenes for the past 18 months to find a way of making it possible.

Essentially, Jersey will make an ETA exemption for French nationals on day trips.

However, Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat  - in her comments to the Assembly  - said that comes with some risks.

"There is a risk that, should the UK Government have significant concerns about the security of the Common Travel Area border as a result of the Scheme which we are not able to mitigate, there could be implications for intra-CTA travel to/from Jersey. In a worst-case scenario, which is considered unlikely, this may result in the implementation of a hard border between the UK and Jersey. This would have significant negative consequences, including for islanders travelling to the UK for medical or business travel."

Jersey's government says it is confident it can continue to manage the risks.

Politicians rejected a request from Deputy Philip Ozouf for the French ID scheme to apply to stays of up to 72 hours.

There seemed to be support for the principle, but States members headed ministers' advice that it would not be possible as things stand.

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham concluded:

"I hope we can find a solution, sooner rather than later.  We are committed to continuing talks with the UK."