France proof of accommodation EES question

I had a similar concern as I went to France earlier this month to stay with friends who had rented a house. They sent me a copy of their rental receipt, which gave me some peace of mind.

In the event, at France immigration-passport control I wasn't asked for anything but my US passport. I have TSA Global Entry, but the officials weren't interested in seeing that either. Just my passport.

(Global Entry did help when I returned to the US, though, and since it includes TSA Pre-Check it also smoothed my passage through TSA in departure from the US.)

Indeed, no non-U.S. official cares anything about Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.

To satisfy your rule following self, you could add an email print or other confirmation of your plans, from the friend who rented the apartment. I'm like you, I'd rather over-prepare than worry about a Type A official.

Let me clarify: At the St Pancras/Eurostar terminal they have kiosks to register for EES by scanning my passport, a facial scan/photo, and fingerprints. Once “registered” there are follow up questions including a screen that asks about Proof of Accommodation. From the France-visas website: If you are hosted by an individual, you must provide a certificate of staying with a relative validated in the town hall at the request of the person who invited you.

In all of my travels to France, this is the first I’ve heard of this. In the past, a border officer has simply asked when I’m leaving and where I’m staying and waived me on my way. Now interactions with a kiosk….? Since this EES process is so new, and apparently a moving target, I’m wondering what RECENT experiences have been. If I answer NO at the kiosk…what happens? Perhaps I am referred to a; officer for that discussion?

This requirement existed before the EES, and given the procedure required for the "host", I certainly have an opinion on whether or not this document needs to be provided, but I won't share it.

On several town hall websites, it is indicated what the host must do to obtain the document called "Attestation d'accueil":

• The host must appear in person at their local town hall. In some municipalities, it is necessary to make an appointment in advance.

Gather the supporting documents to be provided:

• Proof of identity for the host (national identity card, passport, or residence permit).
• Recent proof of address (rent receipt, electricity or water bill less than 3 months old, or property tax notice).
• Proof of property ownership or a lease agreement for the accommodation.
• Proof of income (latest pay stubs, latest tax assessment notice) to prove the capacity to host.
• An electronic tax stamp in the amount of €30 (purchasable online on the official website timbres.impots.gouv.fr or at a tobacconist).
• Information regarding the traveler: surname, first name, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, as well as the exact dates of the stay.

Validation and transmission: The form is filled out and signed on site in the presence of the officer. After review and validation by the mayor (processing time usually ranges from a few days to two weeks), the host collects the original "attestation d'accueil".

Do you know the address of the apartment? Won’t if be sufficient to input the address? A copy of your friends reservation confirmation should certainly be proof if anyone actually asked. Are you overthinking this?

I don't recall ever being asked about the specifics of my accommodations when entering France. Odd.

JoLui,
Wow! Every time we have gone to France we have spent some time staying with various relatives. We have only been asked (and not often) the reason for our visit (always travel/sightseeing) and length of stay. Our cousins have never had to go through those hoops at the town hall, thank goodness. What a pain for them! Perhaps I have forgotten, but maybe we have had to show our return ticket info....don't think so. We were last in France in 2023, so maybe our next visit will entail such problems for us or for the cousins there. I hope not!

Yes, the process for the host does seem horribly onerous and has been long standing, if not enforced. Before the kiosks an officer may or may not have ever asked, or cared. It is just now being faced with a kiosk, asking the question, yes, or no, I would have (had) to answer no.

AnyWho, I’ve convinced my friend we need something slightly more official. This is a person to person lease, not through a booking agency. The owner is going to write up an actual lease contract and put both of our names on it. That will take care of it.

And what some might call “overthinking” I call, being prepared. 😇

I came thru the EES kiosks in CDG in April and yes, this is one of the 5 or so questions. (I realize you are coming in via Eurostar). My entire line of people was channeled to a live agent who waited for the information I'd just input to come up on her screen and asked me nothing.

I suspect this is a question they can use if they suspect your motives for entry and/or you don't "look" like you have sufficient funds to cover your visit. TBH, the times I've taken Eurostar (BEFORE EES!) there were long lines and I think they just want to process people efficiently and keep it moving. Unless you look suspicious I don't think anyone is going to give you a second look.

I will admit that if I were in your situation I would probably make a cancellable hotel reservation to be able to show that if anyone asked.

Like Pam, I assume this procedure is mainly meant to check the intentions of travelers flagged by immigration services as potential illegal immigrants rather than ordinary tourists.

I can't imagine having to go down to city hall to handle this process just to host a non-Schengen traveler, and I don't know a single person in my circle who's even heard of it. The staff at my village town hall, consisting of a mayor and two employees, would surely be surprised by such a request. I suppose they would have to dig out their procedure manuals to figure out what it was all about. :-)

Pam,

EXACTLY what I needed to know…a RECENT EES experience. I was at CDG last October as the rollout started and it was so chaotic we were herded to the “old school” lines.

I think what past travelers are failing to understand is this new electronic EES process (via a kiosk) across the Schengen zone was rolled out last October and is often paused at a particular entry point when overwhelmed. If these questions have never been posed to you, via a kiosk, your time is coming!