terrygriff

My wife and I plus 3 dogs and car need to get back to UK sharpish and Brittany Ferries keep pushing back out sailing date. Thinking of driving to Calais to pick up ferry or tunnel , do people think it will be possible to travel ok through Spain and France or might we be stopped and blocked from travelling by the authorities.

We are UK residents heading home to our main residence and we have elderly relative who needs our support in UK, we have been in Spain since early January and planned to head home soon but the Covid-19 has forced our hand. Concerned if we wait we might not get home for some time.

Any thoughts / suggestions / advice welcome

Thanks

EuroTrash

Contact the British Embassy.
You will likely find the Spain-France border closed and you won't be able drive across without some kind of official paperwork.

dmu

According to another thread, it's possible at the moment to cross the Spanish/French border towards France, but once you're in France you're supposed to have an Attestation, as there are severe restrictions. I don't know how a UK-registered car would fare all the way up through France with the risks of police checks.....
This is the link for printing out the Attestation
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo...e-1801410.html
but as ET says, contact the British Embassy before you set out.
Good luck!
Ooops, sorry, only half of the Attestation is visible. Take a look in the "Coronavirus - France Movement Restrictions" thread in the France forum. I thought the above was an official link, not a link from the TV!

Dxf

Hola

I found this It doesn’t mean that the borders have closed completely but only that checks will be made at the border where previously there were none because of the Schengen zone.

It means that only those Spanish citizens or those with residence in Spain are allowed to cross the border into Spain.

The measure also states that cross-border workers will still be allowed in and out between their place of work and their place of residence.

And truckers transporting good across the border will be allowed free access without even being stopped.

Others who can demonstrate a valid reason to cross the border by providing documentation will also be allowed to cross into Spain.

So my thought is you paperwork to say you need to cross the border to get to Calais or wherever

Davexf

big wheels

If you do manage to drive be prepared to spend all the journey in the car, no hotels will be open through Spain (not sure about France) for an overnight stop. Take plenty of food and water as all the Spanish service stations/ restaurants are closed except for fuel.
Spanish truck drivers were on the news tonight complaining that there is nowhere open on the motorways for them to buy food or even use the toilets.

dmu

The OP should post again on the France forum. AFAIK hotels are open and meals are available in the clients' rooms, but I don't know about sit-down meals on the autoroutes. .Some one with more up-to-date knowledge may be able to advise.
Before the OP leaves, they should check with their vets that they have the necessary papers for their dogs to travel through France and beyond. There again, those on the France forum will know the formalities to comply with at Calais.
Good luck!

mikelincs

Sit down meals may well be a problem, the UK is somewhat behind the rest of Europe over the virus, but McDonalds have announced that all their seating will be closed, they will just do take aways and drive throughs.

toots sweet

We are similar,in Portugal .Brittany ferries have canx all Spain sailings till at least 12 April. Dfds and p and O are still offering crossings,but I would be concerned that that might change in the time it took me to drive there.We want to return,but are now resigned to sitting it out.

bobd22

I think your decision is sensible giving situation and rapid changes occurring.

Pulaski

+1

missile

From gov.uk webpages

Casa Santo Estevo

some got back to the UK
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-engla...ils-to-england

terrygriff

well, we managed to finally get home, 1,500 miles later and a excellent trip on Eurotunnel and 2 nights in hotels. Motorways in Spain and France were empty, French police verbally checked we had a ticket booked to sail home at the border , nobody wanted to touch our passports.

Arrived at Eurotunnel at 6.15pm last, checked in 3 dogs, drove car onto train at 6.35, train departed at 6.50, arrived and disembarked at Folkestone at 7.20pm ( Euro time ), excellent service.

Never saw any police on roads in either Spain or France

toots sweet

Well done!!!
Which hotels were available.in Spain/France? I thought all were closed.We are thinking of doing the same if our THIRD Brittany ferry from Spain is cancelled. Didn't want to spend 2/3 nights in the car from Portugal.

missile

Great news :-)