In 2024 the French Government approved a new, more convenient, entry/exit system for yachts arriving in France (Channel and Atlantic coasts) from outside the EU/Schengen – using e-mail. This system continues in 2025 with more ports co-operating in the scheme and means that arriving in a port of entry is no longer necessary.

Published 12 months ago, updated 1 week ago

National Protocol of Cooperation

The Fédération Française de Ports de Plaisance (FFPP – French Federation of Marinas) announced in May 2024 that 53 French marinas had voluntarily signed up to assist boaters with a new system that both broadens and simplifies border controls for yachts travelling to France from outside the EU/Schengen area (and departing from France to a third country).

This new “National Protocol of Cooperation” was agreed between the FFPP and the national officials responsible for checking in and out the pleasure boat crews (Police Aux Frontiere and Douane), whereby local agreements could be negotiated between certain marinas and the officials at ports of entry, so that checking in and out could be achieved more conveniently by emailing forms.

As a result of this “protocol” a much larger number of marinas around France are able to offer a service for checking boat crews in and out using emailed forms.

This has been a game-changer for yachts clearing into France from outside the EU/Schengen as they no longer have to arrive in a port of entry (PPF), but instead can arrive at a non-PPF, giving them a much wider choice of ports for entry and exit. While this is particularly useful for British sailors cruising to France or indeed European boaters leaving France for the UK and Channel Islands, it applies to all yachts (EU or non-EU) that are clearing into or out of France from/to third (non-EU) countries.

“National Protocol” Ports

The list of Channel ports which have currently confirmed to the Cruising Assocation that they can process e-mailed forms under the “protocol” in 2025 is as follows:
Dives-sur-Mer, Courselles-sur-Mer, Port-en-Bessin, Grandcamp-Maisy, Isigny, Dielette, Plouer-sur-Rance, St Cast Le Guido, Binic, St Quay Portrieux, Paimpol, Lezardrieux, Pontrieux, Treguier, Perros-Guirec, L’Aber-Wrac’h and Trebeurden.

The ports of St Vaast and Carentan appear to have different processes, so if planning to use these for arrival or departure, direct contact in advance of a passage is recommended.

• See list of French marinas participating in the new clearance system
• See map of France showing all participating marinas

What is the Process to enter at a non-PPF?

The forms are usually available from the marina websites – however a generic form can be downloaded here or downloadable forms can be found on the French Customs website.

Skippers 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.

On arrival the completed form, officially stamped, will be provided to the crew by the marina office.

On departure another form must be completed and emailed; the stamped form will then be emailed back.

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 Immigration offices, such as those in the existing PPF ports.

Entry and departure can be effected in each of the participating marinas, and there is no need to arrive and depart from the same location.

What about Normal Ports of Entry (PPF)?

If a boat arrives in France via a non-PPF port (as outlined above) it should only leave by another non-PPF port. No inspection of passports is required, as all information concerning persons on board is contained in the Declarations of Arrival and Departure submitted to the marina authorities for onward transmission to the Border Authorities.

If a boat arrives and leaves by the same non-PPF port, no inspection of passports is required for the same reasons as given in the above point.

If a boat arrives in France via a PPF port, it must leave via a PPF port, and passports will be stamped on arrival and departure by the Border Authorities, although Declarations of Arrival and Departure must still be submitted to the relevant marina authorities. See France Clearance for more details of the process when clearing in at a PPF.

In the event that a boat arrives in France via a non-PPF port with the intention of leaving France via a PPF port, be warned that all those on board must present themselves ON ARRIVAL to the PPF port to which the non-PPF port is attached, to have their passports stamped. For example as Brest is the PPF for L’Aber Wrac’h and L’Aber Wrac’h is the entry port into France, the boat should proceed initially to Brest before continuing to L’Aber Wrac’h.

When planning a cruise this requirement must be taken into account to avoid any delays or misunderstandings

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The relevant documents are posted online on the FFPP website: https://www.ffports-plaisance.com/ [this website is currently down]

Let us know how the new French entry/exit procedure worked for you, by posting a comment on this news item (using the speech bubble icon).

Our thanks to TransEurope Marinas and Digimap Marinas for providing information to Noonsite. These details also checked against the Cruising Association latest info.

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Related Links:

Press Release in English when scheme launched

First news announcement: New Entry Protocol for yachts arriving from outside the EU (01 June, 2024)

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