Hey all:

I have a couple of house guests that have managed to overstay their 90 day visa. I know not good but things happen

They are going to be going onto to France at the end of the month for New Year's celebrations in Nice.

What can they expect at the border (going by train)? Is there a check point there or have they been done away with? I know that they had to provide passports coming by the Train Hotel (overnight train) from Paris to Madrid.

Any info greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

AFIK , you are required to produce a valid passport and (if required) visa when booking in, e.g. at a hotel / guest house or an overnight train throughout EU. You are very unlikely to be asked for a passport / visa when crossing the border but I would not risk it.

You might want to consider your own position. You may be breaking the law by accommodating a foreigner after their visa has expired

The consulate will be able to advise you.

Hotels won't ask you for a visa! You need a passport to check in at a hotel in Spain but I've never been asked for more than a credit card in France. I've taken the train from Barcelona into France a couple of times and on both occasions I had to show id when the train stopped at the border near Portbou. They appeared to be security checks rather than immigration. My wife has an American passport - they just glanced at it, didn't bother with stamps. I've never been stopped at the border crossing on the A9/E15 but I have seen them pulling over cars with more eastern European plates.

I was asked for my passport and they made a photocopy last time I overnighted in France. I was asked to produce my passport in Germany. I was asked to produce my passport and they kept it during my stay in Baku.

Ive always been asked for a passport in Hotels, but I never allow them to keep it overnight. I'd rather not stay there!

In 4 or 5 years I have never even stopped at the French / Spanish border, just driven right through