driving to UK

Against the rules.

Sorry but that wont be happening just yet, state of emergency just been extended until the 24th so all the travel and distancing rules apply as per the de-escalation plan. No travel between provinces at the moment, let alone international borders,

If you are a Spanish resident you can cross borders to return to your habitual home, Similarly if you are UK resident you can leave Spain, and with the right attestation paperwork cross through France and into UK.

Hi PhilTox

things seem to be changing all the time, i'd heard that so long as you had the correct paperwork and you had whatever tickets( channel tunnel) that you'd be ok.

thanks for the update.

ray18

Hi PeterC

thanks for your info, i keep receiving contradicting info.

your info tallies with what i have been told so far and i believe a friend of a friend drove from Spain to France and returned to the UK via the euro tunnel.

cheers that's given me hope as  i have had so many flights cancelled ( i still have one for 22nd)

cheers Ray18

Hi Roland

thanks for your advise  but i have had so many conflicting stories about returning back to the UK by driving.

of course also that as from this weekend there can be more than one person per car.

i have a friend who drove home to the UK a couple of weeks ago too and was ok.

i'll check with the police Roland 

cheers

Ray18

Hi there, 

My partner and I returned to the UK, driving from Los Alcazares to the Eurotunnel. We  had taken the back seats out of our Berlingo, so had  to wait until the Spanish Ministry of the interior and the Policia Locale agreed that expat families returning to their principal residence in the UK could drive in their cars, without only one person being in each row. We left on 15 April, drove for 36 hours with only a couple of hours parked up to try and grab some sleep. We arrived home at 8 PM on Thursday 16. It was a horrible journey, no hotels or cafes open, petrol station shops closed but you  could get a sandwich and hot drink through a serving hatch. Usually just one toilet available for all to use, not always as clean as normal. Also, very aware of risk of infection, but had loads of antibacterial wipes and washed hands whenever we could.  Anyway, we made it and we're no spring chickens. 70 and 78 respectively, so in the vulnerable age group.

For  correct advice about what you can and cannot do when trying to return  to the UK, check out the Foreign Office website for Spain and France under heading 'RETURN TO UK' on both. It will tell you what paperwork you need to enter France and travel through. Allow yourself sometime to get this paperwork prepared, as if you don't have access to a printer, it has to be handwritten  and in French. Also, al letter explaining in Spanish, Catalan and French explaining your destination is useful. A charming young Catalan police officer thanked me for writing g an explanation in Catalan.

Good luck!

hi there

      big thanks for your message, wow what a journey ! and a long dive in hours..you must be very fit and healthy.

i'll use your advise to the letter

thanks

ray18

if you go ahead and arrange this trip - for the three of you - you will have to be very careful that all your paperwork is in order. You will all have to be UK residents, returning to your habitual residence. As you will not be members of the same household you will all have to wear facemasks for the whole journey (remember there are many traffic cameras as well as mobile patrols) and of course anyone driving will need to be qualified.