Sailing back to France, Spain and Portugal, when?

[Sea Devil]

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.

That is right and the French certainly seem, according to the info at my marina,. to will require us to enter by a port of entry where the 90 day clock starts ticking... but of course once you are checked in you can go as you like throughout Schengen for the 90 days you are allowed but you must then find a Port of Entry to clear out from - doesn't have to be the same port of entry as you entered in by but you must stop the 90 day clock or you will be in big trouble next time you try to visit the EU...

 

[Graham376]

That is right and the French certainly seem, according to the info at my marina,. to will require us to enter by a port of entry where the 90 day clock starts ticking... but of course once you are checked in you can go as you like throughout Schengen for the 90 days you are allowed but you must then find a Port of Entry to clear out from - doesn't have to be the same port of entry as you entered in by but you must stop the 90 day clock or you will be in big trouble next time you try to visit the EU...

Yes but there may be separate issues here, people moving around Schengen and non EU boats changing country. We for instance have personal unlimited freedom of movement (my wife's a citizen) but our boat is UK flagged. I'm not too bothered, we'll learn as we go and no doubt get a bollocking or two for breaking some rules.

 

[Sea Devil]

Yes but there may be separate issues here, people moving around Schengen and non EU boats changing country. We for instance have personal unlimited freedom of movement (my wife's a citizen) but our boat is UK flagged. I'm not too bothered, we'll learn as we go and no doubt get a bollocking or two for breaking some rules.

Your boat is not really an issue - it may stay in the EU for 18 months without any problem after which it must leave EU waters for 24 hours then return to the EU - probably best to check into somewhere like Tangier for the night.
It's your EU passport that is the 90 day issue - I have an UK passport but am resident in France so I may stay 365 in France. I am still only allowed 90 days in any other EU country - I may only visit my apartment in Spain for 90 days in 180... and of course if I spend 90 days in Spain during the winter and want to go to any other EU country for a short visit I have a problem

 

[Graham376]

Your boat is not really an issue - it may stay in the EU for 18 months without any problem after which it must leave EU waters for 24 hours then return to the EU - probably best to check into somewhere like Tangier for the night.
It's your EU passport that is the 90 day issue - I have an UK passport but am resident in France so I may stay 365 in France. I am still only allowed 90 days in any other EU country - I may only visit my apartment in Spain for 90 days in 180... and of course if I spend 90 days in Spain during the winter and want to go to any other EU country for a short visit I have a problem

Boat's not a problem, we're EU VAT paid and here 31/12. You'd best get yourself an EU citizen wife or partner then you're not subject to t90/180 moving around in Schengen.

 

[awol]

Boat's not a problem, we're EU VAT paid and here 31/12. You'd best get yourself an EU citizen wife or partner then you're not subject to t90/180 moving around in Schengen.

Nice thought but not my understanding. I'm married to a French citizen and if she was resident in France or another Shengen country then I am entitled to a resident permit but that does not allow further travel. I much prefer your version though.

 

[Graham376]

Nice thought but not my understanding. I'm married to a French citizen and if she was resident in France or another Shengen country then I am entitled to a resident permit but that does not allow further travel. I much prefer your version though.

If you have residence in the EU, being married to an EU citizen gives you unlimited time in Schengen as long as you're accompanied by her. The normal rules still applies that if you stay in a State for >90 days, you both have to register your presence.

 

[Kelpie]

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.

Hmm so those of us with Irish citizenship don't quite escape all of the Brexit 'benefits' like having to clear in at a port of entry.
Is this just a Spanish position or will it be EU wide?

 

[Lightwave395]

I'm heading in the other direction hoping to be moving a boat from France to UK next month, I expect to be casting off from France at Roscoff.
I'm having email exchanges with Police aux Frontieres HQ in Rennes, the French consulate here, Roscoff marina and anyone else I can find to see how I get an 'exit stamp' before heading North. At the moment, nobody seems quite sure
Fallback will be get to Roscoff, walk around to the Brittany Ferries terminal next door when the ferry from Cork is due in/out and find a passport control man...
Logically it would seem to me they would want to come down to the boat and 'see me off', I can't imagine they would stamp my passport in the ferry terminal and let me out to walk back to the terminal...

 

[Graham376]

Hmm so those of us with Irish citizenship don't quite escape all of the Brexit 'benefits' like having to clear in at a port of entry.
Is this just a Spanish position or will it be EU wide?

I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Your boat is not really an issue - it may stay in the EU for 18 months without any problem after which it must leave EU waters for 24 hours then return to the EU - probably best to check into somewhere like Tangier for the night.
It's your EU passport that is the 90 day issue - I have an UK passport but am resident in France so I may stay 365 in France. I am still only allowed 90 days in any other EU country - I may only visit my apartment in Spain for 90 days in 180... and of course if I spend 90 days in Spain during the winter and want to go to any other EU country for a short visit I have a problem

Micheal just to correct you if I may , its not 24 hours you can sail 12 miles out get prove ie photo of the plotter , AIS , electronic log so on sail sail back in to restart the clock .

 

[Bobc]

I'm heading in the other direction hoping to be moving a boat from France to UK next month, I expect to be casting off from France at Roscoff.
I'm having email exchanges with Police aux Frontieres HQ in Rennes, the French consulate here, Roscoff marina and anyone else I can find to see how I get an 'exit stamp' before heading North. At the moment, nobody seems quite sure
Fallback will be get to Roscoff, walk around to the Brittany Ferries terminal next door when the ferry from Cork is due in/out and find a passport control man...
Logically it would seem to me they would want to come down to the boat and 'see me off', I can't imagine they would stamp my passport in the ferry terminal and let me out to walk back to the terminal...

My gut feeling is that's what will end up happening. You will get stamped out at the ferry terminal and then be free to go. In The Caribbean they do similar. You get stamped out and they just tell you that "you now have to leave within 24hrs".

 

[Lightwave395]

My gut feeling is that's what will end up happening. You will get stamped out at the ferry terminal and then be free to go. In The Caribbean they do similar. You get stamped out and they just tell you that "you now have to leave within 24hrs".

That's becoming my expectation too, I spoke to the PAF-Ouest HQ in Rennes, they said that border control at Roscoff was handled by the Douanes. I spoke to the Douanes, they said that was the case until the end of Jan this year when it reverted to the PAF...!
It's going to be a try it and see what happens deal I'm sure, I look forward to the adventure.

 

[Sea Devil]

Micheal just to correct you if I may , its not 24 hours you can sail 12 miles out get prove ie photo of the plotter , AIS , electronic log so on sail sail back in to restart the clock .

Vic I am sure you are correct - I was being a bit belt and braces having a document in your chart table showing you were in another country is probably helpful weeks later when visited by the Douane ...

 

[sailaboutvic]

Vic I am sure you are correct - I was being a bit belt and braces having a document in your chart table showing you were in another country is probably helpful weeks later when visited by the Douane ...

Sorry Micheal wasn't really trying to step on your toe just I tho it was worth added that in ,
There was a time when non vat boats use to sail from greece to Turkey in the morning then sail back in the after noon , I think its more likely now for them to sail and and not return.
But I fully understand your point about having a document to show that you left the EU .

 

[Sea Devil]

Sorry Micheal wasn't really trying to step on your toe just I tho it was worth added that in ,
There was a time when non vat boats use to sail from greece to Turkey in the morning then sail back in the after noon , I think its more likely now for them to sail and and not return.
But I fully understand your point about having a document to show that you left the EU .

Vic, no problem - I think all this is such early days and none of us except delivery crews are actually sailing to foreign port that it's so hard to know what is really going to happen - or how local authorities will react - we sail in interesting times...

 

[Bobc]

France have announced that they are going to ease travel restrictions from the beginning of May and will allow shops, bars, restaurants, etc., to open again mid-May.

France24

 

[Bobc]

That's becoming my expectation too, I spoke to the PAF-Ouest HQ in Rennes, they said that border control at Roscoff was handled by the Douanes. I spoke to the Douanes, they said that was the case until the end of Jan this year when it reverted to the PAF...!
It's going to be a try it and see what happens deal I'm sure, I look forward to the adventure.

I'm wondering if when people "pop over" to Cherbourg, they'll have to trudge round to the ferry terminal with their ships papers and passports to get stamped in, and stamped out. That could become a bit of a bind.

 

[st599]

I'm wondering if when people "pop over" to Cherbourg, they'll have to trudge round to the ferry terminal with their ships papers and passports to get stamped in, and stamped out. That could become a bit of a bind.

That's what the RYA said on their Brexit webinar. Slightly easier in Germany and Belgium where there's been some automation and rolling out to large marinas.

 

[DJE]

I'm wondering if when people "pop over" to Cherbourg, they'll have to trudge round to the ferry terminal with their ships papers and passports to get stamped in, and stamped out. That could become a bit of a bind.

Is this the place?

 

[Lucky Duck]

Is this the place?
View attachment 113924

My Cherbourg marina guide from 2017 says visitors from outside the EU must present their passports to the local Border Authority at 27 Rue Dom Pedro (wherever that is)