When I recently wrote about the 90 day rule, I forgot to mention that if I was a Frenchman wishing to visit the UK for 6 months, I would need to have a valid passport, an active Email address, and either a debit or credit card to pay a small fee to extend the 90 day rule to 180. One would apply online, the visa would be delivered within 72 hrs, and sent to the applicant's Email address. What could be simpler?
However, if an Englishman wishes to spend a similar 6 months in France, the process is very different.
Firstly it cannot be done online. One needs to make a long trip to the Embassy/Consulate in London, where lengthy forms would need to be filled, 2 ID photos provided, fingerprints taken, and just about every other inconvenience imaginable forced upon us. That's if you find the place open, or the right person just happens to be there. Having lived in France for the past 50 years, I can assure you that if a French bureaucrat can make your life difficult; he/she WILL. And woe betide you if one of the documents isn't exactly what they want; and that's not just for Brits. You go back to stage one, and start all over again.
I mentioned here recently that there is a move afoot in both France and Spain to relax the present rules a bit, but maybe if they don't, the UK should mirror the French rules, and insist on a 90 day rule for all Europeans; with the same sort of complicated rigmarole if they wish to stay any longer. May I suggest a specially installed visa office on the remote Scottish isle of O'Lang-sein; which would HAVE to be attended on two successive Saturdays.
What's good for the European Goose, must surely be good for the British Gander.
We had to jump through similar hoops to apply for our residencia permits in Tenerife back in the 80s. By the time we received our permit it was due to expire and we had to start again for the renewal.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first went to live in France (pre Common Market days) it was a nightmare. Then it became simplified during our EU days, now it's gone crazy again.
DeleteAn article in D.T. covers this point and rightly says that The French are wanting too much 'tit' for the amount of British 'tat'! They are the real losers in the deal and it won't be helped by us sinking to their level - however tempting.
ReplyDeleteNo, it wouldn't really help, but it would be nice to boot them up the backside.
DeleteFrench bureaucracy must be it's own worst enemy. I'm glad now that we didn't retire to France, which had always been our first choice.
ReplyDeleteSince we came here to Spain things have tightened up a great deal - especially with money and banking. We didn't have to travel far, but had a similar experience when we applied for our Residencias, and took copies of absolutely everything (even the dog's passports) only to find that just three pieces of paper were necessary. Since then the government have issued a new style of card, which isn't obligatory, so I've not applied for one. It would only be needed if I travelled backwards and forwards to the UK, or other countries other than mainland Europe.
In France they used to ask us for grandparent's birth certificates, and the like. Things they knew we couldn't possibly have had. Banking has also become a nightmare in France. I've actually closed my account now.
DeleteBack in the 90's I , my husband and young son had 3 holidays, to different Greek islands. All we needed was a yearly family passport. Very easy. They stopped doing them tho.
ReplyDeleteDuring the EU heydays things were so much easier. Why did people vote against that!
DeleteIt beats me Cro! We had friends over yesterday evening and they now both regret voting against it. I could have said a few choice words but held myself back. They've heard them before. Too little, too late.
ReplyDeleteThere were things we all didn't like about Brussels, but they were no reason to quit.
DeleteIt is astounding that people in high positions actually get paid to invent and maintain these untenable bureaucratic procedures. Often the individuals actually processing things enjoy the job of making things as difficult as possible. It inspires me to seek ways to game the system. I know two wrongs do not make it right. But?
ReplyDeleteAs we say about bureaucrats here, 'if you stop pedaling, you fall off'. They always have to think of some other silly thing to warrant their positions (and salaries).
DeleteThey ask for a lot of papers here and after travelling into Athens they'll probably tell you ones missing. However many of my English friends have got resident permits now. It's easier than your french one by the sounds of it.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I was once even told that I owned a property that I had no idea about, and therefor owed rates. When they eventually discovered it was their mistake I was almost blamed for their confusion. Amazing!!!
DeleteI am wholeheartedly in favour of anything that annoys the French. Bring back pounds shillings and pence.
ReplyDeleteWe've been annoying them for a very long time.
DeleteHave you read Stephen Clarke's 1000 Years of Annoying the French?
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't, but it sounds like fun.
DeleteAfter reading all of the comments I have decided to never travel outside of my own country.
ReplyDelete