Do I really have to register British guests?

QI am a British citizen living in France who is having friends over to stay, and I have just learnt that an attestation d’accueil (reception certificate) must be obtained from the local mairie (town hall) by foreign nationals living in France to certify the details of guests from non-EU countries.

The French government website gives information on what documentation is needed, but there is no clarity on whether the application can be done online or only at the mairie. It appears that UK visitors must also produce evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover their stay, along with confirmation of a hotel/self-catering reservation or a copy of the attestation d’accueil.

All this paperwork threatens to be more onerous than a PCR test. Do you know what the situation really is?

– Carol Barbone

AI asked Mrs Barbone to check with her local mairie in Pays de la Loire. She was told that the reception certificate is needed by all property owners (French or British) hosting non-EU visitors and must be applied for in person at the mairie. The completed form must be accompanied by proof of residency and ownership, and the passport numbers of the visitors. A tax of €30 must be paid. The certificate may be issued immediately or may take a few days.

These reception certificates have been a legal requirement for non-EU visitors since 2006 as part of the Schengen Agreement. While the requirement has been strictly enforced for those who need a Schengen tourist visa (citizens of India, Turkey and South Africa, for example), immigration officers do not routinely ask citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the US and Australia – and now the UK – for the certificate.

The UK Foreign Office website (gov. uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entryrequirements) says British citizens may be asked to provide an attestation d’accueil but goes on to say that the lack of one should not pose a problem on entry, as long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay.

If you have no pre-booked accommodation, this is considered to be a minimum of €120 a day (reduced to €32.50 if you have the reception certificate).

Producing a credit or debit card should be sufficient proof of funds, though it might be wise to bring a printout of your latest bank statement.

If you are British and recently visited France, or welcomed British visitors, we would like to know if you – or your hosts – were asked to show additional documents other than a passport.