With thanks to EBI sustaining member for the update, the Fédération Française de Ports de Plaisance (FFPP - French Federation of Marinas) announced that 53 French marinas had voluntarily signed up to assist boaters with a new system that both broadens and simplifies border controls for third-country nationals travelling to or from outside the Schengen area, such as British travellers arriving in France or European boaters leaving France for the UK or Channel Islands.

Using a single generic document which can be completed on a mobile phone, boaters can fill in this form and send it to the participating marinas at least 24 hours prior to arrival – or when leaving the previous port outside the Schengen area, if the voyage time is less than twenty-four hours. The marinas will then take care of transmitting documents to the relevant border control authorities and authorise arrival. Entry and departure can be affected in each of the participating marinas, and there is no need to arrive and depart from the same location.  

FFPP stresses that this new system doesn’t replace standard Schengen protocols and that those departing by plane or ferry or otherwise requiring a passport stamp, will need to obtain this from official customs offices such as those in the existing PPF ports.

Regarding the anticipated new digital Entry/Exit System (ESS), this is previewed for the end of 2024 at the earliest and so the current system will remain in place until then.

The relevant documents are expected to be posted online on the FFPP website.