After many delays, the EU's new Entry & Exit System (EES) comes into effect on Sunday, October 12th - albeit with a phased introduction so that only some passengers will be affected at first.
READ ALSO: EES calendar: Dates new border checks will be enforced for travel to France
Somewhat scaremongering reporting in the UK media suggests that this will result in second-home owners being 'kicked out' of the EU - this is far from being the truth, however.
Here's a look at what the changes really mean for second-home owners in France;
Who?
We're referring here to people who own property in France but do not live here.
If you are a resident in France, click here, while tourists and those on short trips such as family visits can click here.
EES only affects people who are non-EU citizens, so if you have the passport of an EU country then this does not affect you. If you are a dual national, it will only affect you if you are travelling on your non-EU passport.
Where?
EES applies to the EU’s external borders, so if you are travelling between France and Belgium then nothing changes.
However if you are entering France from a non-EU or Schengen zone country (eg the UK, USA, or Australia) then extra checks will be in place.
What?
It's important to note that EES does not actually change any of the rules around entry to France or length of stay. Specifically, the 90-day rule - which applies to non-EU visitors including, since 2021, Brits - remains the same.
What EES is intended to do is tighten up border security, including the enforcement of the 90-day rule for non-residents.
It will do this by introducing a new computer system that enables passports to be automatically scanned at the border – checking both biometric details like fingerprints (for extra security) and entry and exit dates to calculate the 90-day limit for each traveller.
It does away with the process of border guards manually stamping passports on every entry and exit from the Schengen zone - although due to the phased introduction of the system, it's likely that passport stamping will continue for the first six months while the new system is being rolled out.
Therefore The Telegraph's headline about second-home owners being 'kicked out' would refer only to those who routinely overstay the 90-day limit and had until now managed to avoid detection at the border.
READ ALSO What happens if you overstay your 90-day limit in France?
OK, so what does this mean for second-home owners?
If you own property in France you will likely already be aware of the 90-day rule, which limits stays in the Schengen zone to 90 days in every 180 - you can find a full explanation of the rule HERE.
Most second-home owners from non-EU countries decide to stick to the 90-day limit, but others choose to get a short-stay visitor visa in order to allow them to spend more time at their French property.
No visa - if you don't have a visa, then in immigration terms you are a tourist, and that means that EES does apply to you.
At the border, you will need to supply biometric data such as fingerprints and a facial scan, and fill in a questionnaire.
READ ALSO: What's the deal with EES and medical insurance for British tourists in France?
Exactly when this applies to you depends on how you are travelling, since entry points such as airports or the Port of Dover have their own phased timetables for introductions
With a visa - if you have a visitor visa then the 90-day rule does not apply to you (which is probably the reason you got it) and neither does EES.
The French Interior Ministry explained to The Local: "EES only concerns non-EU nationals, without a long-stay visa or residence permit, who are paying a private or tourist visit for less than 90 days.
“Non-EU citizens holding a residence permit (titre de séjour) or a visa are not eligible for EES.
“These persons must present their residence permit or visa, as at present, when crossing the border. The control procedures do not change for these categories of travellers.”
Unfortunately, the new automated passport controls can only read passports; there is no option to also show a visa as well.
Visa-holders, therefore, will have to avoid the automated gates and instead go to manned passport control booths, in order to be able to show their visa and avoid starting the 90-day ‘clock’.
And what about ETIAS?
There's a second change coming to EU travel as well - the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, known as ETIAS.
ETIAS isn't set to come into effect until at least the second half of 2026 - it could be delayed again if the introduction of EES doesn't go smoothly.
It is aimed at tourists - which in immigration terms includes second-home owners who do not have a visa. It does not affect residents in France or visa-holders.
ETIAS is in effect a 'holiday visa' - those travelling to France for short stays or holidays from outside the EU will have to apply in advance online for a visa, and pay a €20 fee (although there are fee exemptions for under 18s and over 70s).
The visa then lasts for three years before it needs to be renewed, and can be used for multiple entries to France (or any other EU or Schengen zone country).
The online application process requires only a few personal details and the visa should be issued automatically within 72 hours. In essence, it is very similar to the ESTA visa currently required for tourists entering the USA.
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