France 90-Day Rule for UK Citizens & Long-Stay Visa Guide
British passport holders visiting France must adhere to the 90/180 Schengen rule. For stays between 3 and 6 months, France offers the Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T).
For UK citizens travelling to France for holidays, skiing, or to stay at a second home, visa-free visits are limited to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Because France shares land borders and Schengen free-movement rules with Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, any time spent in those countries counts towards the same 90-day total.
Tens of thousands of British citizens own holiday properties in France (maisons secondaires) or spend winter ski seasons in the Alps. While the 90/180 rule is strictly enforced at French border ports (Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone, St Pancras Eurostar, and French airports), France provides a dedicated visa pathway for extended stays.
The French 6-Month Visitor Visa: Visa de Long Séjour Temporaire (VLS-T)
If you wish to spend 3 to 6 consecutive months in France without working, you can apply for a Visa de Long Séjour Temporaire (VLS-T Visiteur). This visa exempts you from the 90/180-day limit inside France for the duration of the visa.
France Stay Length Decision Matrix
Choosing Between Tourist Limit vs 6-Month VLS-T vs Residency
Standard Tourism
Holidays, short ski trips, quick gîte stays. No visa required. Subject to Schengen 90/180 rolling limit.
French VLS-T Visiteur
Extended winter ski seasons or summer chateau stays. Permits up to 6 months uninterrupted stay in France.
VLS-TS / Residency
Relocating to France permanently. Requires validation with OFII, French tax registration, and residency card.
How Does a French VLS-T Affect Travel to Other EU Countries?
A crucial rule that many visa holders overlook: A French VLS-T visa only permits unrestricted stay inside France. When you leave France to visit Switzerland, Italy, Spain, or Germany, your stay in those countries is treated as short-stay tourism subject to the standard 90/180-day rule.
Example: Ski Season in Chamonix with Trips to Courmayeur (Italy)
Hold 6-month French VLS-T (Stay in France: Unlimited up to 180 days)
Day trips from Chamonix to Courmayeur (Italy): 12 days
Weekend trip to Geneva (Switzerland): 4 days
Total days used in other Schengen states: 16 days of 90 allowed
Status: 100% compliant with both French national and Schengen rules
Planning a French ski getaway with side trips? Test this 45-day Alps itinerary in our calculator to verify compliance.
Scenario preset: 45-Day French Alps Ski Trip
French Border Controls: Dover, Folkestone, and Eurostar
France operates juxtaposed border controls at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone, and London St Pancras International. You are checked and stamped by the French Border Police (Police aux Frontières - PAF) before departing the UK.
- Passport checks: PAF officers verify the 10-year issue rule and 3-month expiry buffer.
- Stamping: Ensure your passport receives an entry stamp when boarding the ferry, shuttle, or train.
- Biometrics (EES): Once the EU Entry/Exit System is live, your fingerprints and facial photo are taken at the UK departure terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can British second-home owners stay in France for 6 months every year without a visa?
No. The French parliament proposed an automatic visa exemption for British second-home owners in late 2023, but the French Constitutional Council struck down the amendment in January 2024. British property owners must continue using the 90/180-day allowance or apply for a VLS-T visa.
What happens if I stay in France for 95 days without a visa?
At the border on exit, the PAF will detect the 5-day overstay. You will be subject to an administrative fine (€198 to €1,500), an irregular exit notation in your passport, and potential difficulty securing future visas or entry to the Schengen Area.
Can I work remotely from my holiday home in France on a tourist allowance?
Incidental work (checking emails, taking brief calls while on holiday) is widely accepted. However, moving to France to work remotely on a full-time basis is not permitted on a tourist stay or VLS-T Visiteur visa without an appropriate work authorization.