France to temporarily reinstate border controls

France will reinstate its border controls along its European boundaries for one month, the Ministry for the Interior has announced.

From Friday 13^th November until Sunday 13^th December the country will temporarily opt-out of the EU’s Schengen arrangement, which enables free movement within the European Union.

The reason for the decision is that the Paris Climate Conference is taking place in Paris from 30^th November to 11th December. Hundreds of international visitors are expected for the conference, including heads of state and non-government officials.

During this period, anyone wishing to enter France by sea, air or land, must do so through 283 ‘authorised points of entry’ in order to pass by border controls. They must also possess a passport or identity card as appropriate. Anyone wishing to leave the country can do so without checks.

The EU’s Schengen accord does allow for temporary restoration of border controls, something that France has already done in 1995, 2001, 2013 and now 2015.

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