Overseas Travel to buy property is a 'Reasonable Excuse'

It is possible to travel to and from France from the UK [and many other countries] at the moment, but to read the newspapers and watch the TV news you would not think so.

We see many a frustrated email from our clients that want to go and view properties but they think they are not allowed to travel, this is simply not the case.

You are allowed to travel, to quote the UK Governments travel advisory page it says "to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property".

It is however, as you may have thought, not as easy as it used to be, let me explain:

- 1. Permitted reasons for international travel

Read here on the UK Government website the "Reasonable excuses for travel abroad"

It is noted as follows:

Other permitted reasons

There are further reasonable excuses, for example:

- to fulfil legal obligations
- to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property
- travel in order to exercise custody rights recognised by a court decision
- order to present oneself to a judicial or administrative authority

Recommended evidence: proof of contract, court decision and proof of place of residence, order to present oneself to a judicial or administrative authority, expiring residence permit, dismissal notice, letter or appointment details from estate agent [which we can provide], relevant contract or letters detailing sales, or other appropriate documentation or other appropriate documentation.

This will remain the case after the 29th March when the current stay at home guidance ends: you will still need a travel declaration form:

- 2. Legislation – the legal requirement to carry the travel declaration form

You will need to complete the travel declaration form to leave the UK

- 3. On 11 March, the French government announced it was easing restrictions on travel from the UK. From 12 March, arrivals no longer need to justify an essential reason to enter France. This applies to all air, car, ferry and train passengers.

- 4. Arrivals from the UK will need to complete a ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website.

- 5. All travellers from the UK, including children aged 11 and above, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure. Only PCR tests are accepted for passengers
- 6. Passengers arriving in France from the UK will also be required to self-isolate for seven days on arrival, before taking another PCR test. Exit from this self-isolation period is subject to a negative test result. Please find more information on how to obtain a PCR test in France here.

- 7. UK nationals returning home from France must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 3 days before departure.

- 8. You have to self quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK

Blog submitted by: Sharon Evans - Founder of Cle France.