Sailing back to France, Spain and Portugal, when?

[Fascadale]

Is there any information available as to when it will be permitted, in these Covid times , to visit these countries by yacht from the UK?

( I'm thinking about Covid created problems rather than the self inflicted Brexit nonsense)

Thanks

 

[Sandy]

Nope, The four UK nations and the third nations need to agree a date. Don't hold your breath.

I'm desperate to get over to the mainland, but until we have official word will be keeping well outside any other territorial waters.

 

[Fascadale]

Nope, The four UK nations and the third nations need to agree a date. Don't hold your breath.

An opportunity has arisen that means I might be able to sail to France in July.............. oh, the uncertainties of Covid!

First world problem I know

 

[Clancy Moped]

Decisions in Spain are made every fortnight, I think the next one is the 12th or 14th.

 

[awol]

An opportunity has arisen that means I might be able to sail to France in July.............. oh, the uncertainties of Covid!

First world problem I know

You'd be better aiming for Hebcelt.?????????

 

[Fascadale]

You'd be better aiming for Hebcelt.?????????

Hebcelt is still looking very uncertain: “hybrid” is how they are currently describing it ????????????????????????

 

[awol]

Hebcelt is still looking very uncertain: “hybrid” is how they are currently describing it ????????????????????????

Social distancing in the Crit?

 

[Graham376]

The general rule in Portugal is that residents are allowed in but not visitors so, not sure what would happen on arrival. Still no fixed date about all restrictions ending. Spain appears to be clamping down - Fury as 40 Brits barred from entering Spain by armed cops and sent back to UK in Brexit revenge row (thesun.co.uk)

 

[Kelpie]

Social distancing in the Crit?

Ha! You'd fit about three people in!

 

[goeasy123]

Here it is for Spain. If you're bother to follow the link back to the EU documents it mentions 'reciprocity'. In other word Schengen states cannot let Brits in until the UK lets Europeans it to the UK.
<<
As announced by the Spanish Government Spokesperson, the current travel restrictions to enter Spain, approved on the 22nd December 2020 according to the Orden PCM/1237/2020, will not be extended after 6pm (GMT+1) on the 30th March 2021. If you are travelling before that date please check the restrictions here: BOE.es - BOE-A-2020-16822 Orden PCM/1237/2020, de 22 de diciembre, por la que se publica el Acuerdo del Consejo de Ministros de 22 de diciembre de 2020, por el que se establecen medidas excepcionales para limitar la propagación y el contagio por el COVID-19, mediante la limitación de los vuelos directos y buques de pasaje entre Reino Unido y los aeropuertos y puertos españoles.

After the 30th March 2021, the travel restrictions between the UK and Spain will be those established for travels from outside the EU in the Orden INT/657/2020 published on the 17th July 2020 as per the EU recommendations:
https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2020/07/18/pdfs/BOE-A-2020-8099.pdf
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020H0912&from=EN

According to these measures, EU Member States citizens will be allowed to enter Spain, as well as their family members and free movement beneficiaries. However, third country nationals – that is citizens from countries which are not part of the EU – will only be able to enter Spain if they fall under any of the following categories:

1. Long-term residents in the EU, Schengen Associate States, Andorra, Monaco, The Holy See or San Marino, in transit to their country of residence, duly accredited.
2. third-country nationals who hold a national long-term visa, as well as their respective family members
3. healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals
4. transport personnel and seafarers
5. diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions
6. third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of study in a EU Member States or associated countries
7. highly qualified third-country workers if their employment is necessary from an economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad
8. passengers travelling for imperative family reasons
9. passengers travelling for humanitarian reasons

Please note that frontier workers and seasonal workers are no longer in the exemption list.

The aforementioned restrictions will not apply in the case of airport transit through Spain when travelling outside the EU.

Should you consider that your travel reasons fall under exception i), you will need an authorization to travel from the Spanish border authorities. If you wish to request an authorization to proof that you are travelling for humanitarian reasons, please send us the documentation that proves this situation, as well as a copy of your travel documents and your flight details.

If you are travelling under any of these exemptions, please make sure you can provide the border authorities with documentary evidence that you meet the requirements to be exempt.
The Consulate General of Spain in Manchester is not able to advise what documentation will be accepted, as it is for the border authorities and the airline to make this decision. If you have any queries, please contact them directly.

In any case, the rules regarding presenting a negative result of a COVID-19 test as well as filling in the health form still apply to travel to Spain.

Please, note that in addition to these rules set by the Spanish Government, restrictions and travel requirements implemented by the British Government must be considered. You can check updated information on the following link: Spain travel advice

Should you have any queries about these measures, please contact the British authorities.
>>

 

[Graham376]

France going into lockdown from Saturday - French president Emmanuel Macron announces nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, warning: ‘We will lose control if we do not move now’ (msn.com)

 

[Sea Devil]

This video is partly about sailing into France - not the pandemic issues rather the paperwork issues

 

[Fascadale]

This video is partly about sailing into France - not the pandemic issues rather the paperwork issues

Thanks. I have watched, and been thoroughly depressed by your very excellent presentation

Fortunately I have been able to Brexit proof myself by becoming an Irish citizen ( thanks Granny)

The Covid stuff is more of an issue: I have an opportunity to head south to the Canaries in June: my next window is in October. Covid or the weather, Scylla or Charybdis?

 

[Seven Spades]

Here it is for Spain. If you're bother to follow the link back to the EU documents it mentions 'reciprocity'. In other word Schengen states cannot let Brits in until the UK lets Europeans it to the UK.
<<
As announced by the Spanish Government Spokesperson, the current travel restrictions to enter Spain, approved on the 22nd December 2020 according to the Orden PCM/1237/2020, will not be extended after 6pm (GMT+1) on the 30th March 2021. If you are travelling before that date please check the restrictions here: BOE.es - BOE-A-2020-16822 Orden PCM/1237/2020, de 22 de diciembre, por la que se publica el Acuerdo del Consejo de Ministros de 22 de diciembre de 2020, por el que se establecen medidas excepcionales para limitar la propagación y el contagio por el COVID-19, mediante la limitación de los vuelos directos y buques de pasaje entre Reino Unido y los aeropuertos y puertos españoles.

After the 30th March 2021, the travel restrictions between the UK and Spain will be those established for travels from outside the EU in the Orden INT/657/2020 published on the 17th July 2020 as per the EU recommendations:
https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2020/07/18/pdfs/BOE-A-2020-8099.pdf
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020H0912&from=EN

According to these measures, EU Member States citizens will be allowed to enter Spain, as well as their family members and free movement beneficiaries. However, third country nationals – that is citizens from countries which are not part of the EU – will only be able to enter Spain if they fall under any of the following categories:

1. Long-term residents in the EU, Schengen Associate States, Andorra, Monaco, The Holy See or San Marino, in transit to their country of residence, duly accredited.
2. third-country nationals who hold a national long-term visa, as well as their respective family members
3. healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals
4. transport personnel and seafarers
5. diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions
6. third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of study in a EU Member States or associated countries
7. highly qualified third-country workers if their employment is necessary from an economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad
8. passengers travelling for imperative family reasons
9. passengers travelling for humanitarian reasons

Please note that frontier workers and seasonal workers are no longer in the exemption list.

The aforementioned restrictions will not apply in the case of airport transit through Spain when travelling outside the EU.

Should you consider that your travel reasons fall under exception i), you will need an authorization to travel from the Spanish border authorities. If you wish to request an authorization to proof that you are travelling for humanitarian reasons, please send us the documentation that proves this situation, as well as a copy of your travel documents and your flight details.

If you are travelling under any of these exemptions, please make sure you can provide the border authorities with documentary evidence that you meet the requirements to be exempt.
The Consulate General of Spain in Manchester is not able to advise what documentation will be accepted, as it is for the border authorities and the airline to make this decision. If you have any queries, please contact them directly.

In any case, the rules regarding presenting a negative result of a COVID-19 test as well as filling in the health form still apply to travel to Spain.

Please, note that in addition to these rules set by the Spanish Government, restrictions and travel requirements implemented by the British Government must be considered. You can check updated information on the following link: Spain travel advice

Should you have any queries about these measures, please contact the British authorities.
>>

4. Seafarers?

 

[Sandy]

I'm not convinced our American friends do have an issues with Schengen. They have superb cruising waters on their doorstep, why haul their keels over here apart from cruising the west coast of Scotland; in my opinion the best sailing area in the know universe.

Sadly, Brexit does take away our right to unlimited travel in the Schengen area, we just need to get used to the idea and plan our trips with one eye on the Schengen Clock. This is going to affect a miniscule number of British Citizens who have chosen to live in the Schengen area. As a UK centric forum it would be interesting to have a straw poll about the number of members who it does affect.

 

[Graham376]

This is going to affect a miniscule number of British Citizens who have chosen to live in the Schengen area. As a UK centric forum it would be interesting to have a straw poll about the number of members who it does affect.

Difficult to say at the moment just what effects will be as everything confused by Covid restrictions and some border closures. Hopefully, next year may be closer to the norm so we will find out how much leeway will be given by individual States.

 

[John Willis]

Regarding the current position with regards to sailing UK to Spain. The rules governing this are explained, for example, on the site below. It refers to the need to complete the 'Health Control Form' or 'FCS'. Am I right in believing it is of no use for a yachtsman as it requires a valid flight number? If that is so, what is a visiting yacht skipper supposed to do to avoid a fine or worse?

Spain | Noonsite

 

[st599]

Difficult to say at the moment just what effects will be as everything confused by Covid restrictions and some border closures. Hopefully, next year may be closer to the norm so we will find out how much leeway will be given by individual States.

The Schengen Information System database is due to go live later this year, after that it's all automated.

 

[Sea Devil]

Regarding the current position with regards to sailing UK to Spain. The rules governing this are explained, for example, on the site below. It refers to the need to complete the 'Health Control Form' or 'FCS'. Am I right in believing it is of no use for a yachtsman as it requires a valid flight number? If that is so, what is a visiting yacht skipper supposed to do to avoid a fine or worse?

Spain | Noonsite

I have a place in Spain and live in France and at the moment I cannot travel to Spain - Yes the frontier is open but moving about Spain according to my friends there is very restricted - All this is Covid related and as Spain (and France Germany etc) get the vaccination situation under control things will ease up -
Unless you were heading to northern Spain from the UK then be clear you cannot enter France at the moment as we are in lockdown with only 10k travel distance from our homes allowed.
The Spanish economy is very dependant on the tourist trade so they will do everything (safe) to allow tourists back in although cruising boats are probably not high on their agenda.. And of course you may only stay 90/180 in the entire EU if you have a UK passport - see my video on the subject above

 

[Graham376]

The Schengen Information System database is due to go live later this year, after that it's all automated.

It will be interesting to see how things are managed in practice rather than theory. According to the Noonsite article -

As a result of the implementation of the Schengen Agreement, boats having on board nationals of EU countries which are not signatories of the Schengen Agreement must clear Immigration at the port of entry into Spain.
In the case of non-EU boats, the captain should proceed ashore and clear Customs (Aduana) and Immigration at a port of entry.

The nearest Spanish Port of Entry to Portugal is IIRC Huelva and I doubt anyone wanting to enter Guadiana. Ayamonte, El Rompido etc. is going to sail all the way there just to track back several hours.