Cross channel ferries to France

Essential documents for your travel to France and Spain

Attention: LD Lines is legally obliged to refuse boarding to any person unable to present the required documentation. We would ask that you read the following information carefully.

1- Passengers on the Portsmouth - Le Havre, Newhaven – Dieppe and Dover - Calais routes:

For passengers coming from States which have signed the Schengen Agreements:

For British citizens travelling to France or Spain.

• A valid passport is required for all passengers including children and infants. (Note: Driving Licenses are not accepted).

For non-British nationals travelling to France or Spain.

• A European Union ID or a valid passport is required. A visa may be required depending upon the nationality of the Passenger (please check with French and Spanish authorities).

LD Lines reserves the right to refuse boarding to anyone not presenting the required documents.

2- Passengers on the St Nazaire – Gijon route:

Please have a valid passport or ID card on your person if you are a citizen of an EU member state. Other nationalities require a valid passport. The port police authorities may ask you to present your Schengen visa permit. 

 
3- Passengers on the Marseille – Tunis route:

You must present identity documents and car registration documents. Travel passes will also be requested.
For EU nationals, entry to Tunisia is subject to the OBLIGATORY presentation of a valid passport* and visa where necessary. In case of refusal, passengers must pay for their own return journey and no refund will be available for the journey from Marseille.

* Including children unless they are included on one of their parents’ passports (also taking the journey).

Before taking the bus, passengers must have the following documents for border control:

When travelling from FRANCE to TUNISIA (French Foreign Office source):

For stays lasting three months or less, you do not need a visa but you will need a valid passport. Those on group holidays will need a national ID card (no more than ten years from date of issue) and a travel itinerary from the agents. For stays lasting more than three months, you will need a visa and residence permit from the Tunisian Home Office. In case of an unauthorised stay, permission to leave the country can only be authorised by the Direction des frontières et des étrangers (border and immigration department).
French nationals who also have Tunisian nationality (dual nationality) must present a valid Tunisian passport upon entering and leaving Tunisia (please remember that the age of majority is 20 in Tunisia). A valid French document (passport or French ID card) must be presented to the French police when entering and leaving the country.

When travelling from TUNISIA to FRANCE:

Nationals from states that have signed the SCHENGEN Agreement with a valid passport may enter France. This also applies to third country nationals from the aforementioned states as long as they hold a valid passport and a document authorising them to stay in their country of residence. Other travellers from African countries must have a valid passport with a valid SCHENGEN VISA stamp including FRANCE. The aforementioned travellers must also present a return ticket, hotel reservation or proof of accommodation, insurance policy and sufficient funds for the duration of their stay (provisions of 62 Euros/day or 31 Euros/day with proof of accommodation).
 
 
Important: temporary or permanent restrictions and specific formalities may apply when entering different countries for stopovers (formalities apply to passengers, vehicles, luggage, goods and pets); they may be modified by the authorities at any time. LD Lines strongly recommends contacting the consulates and embassies before your departure.

Specific cases : French, British or Spanish Minors 

To travel on board our ferries, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (over 18 years old). The table below summarises the majority of possible situations and the documents required for minors to travel, in addition to the aforementioned documentation. 

Documents required

Minor travelling alone 

•  Passport
•  Passport which has expired within 5 years + AST (Autorisation de Sortie de Territoire – Authorisation to leave the Country)
•  National ID card + AST

• Passport
• Passport which has expired within 5 years + AST
• National ID card + AST
• Collective National ID Card + AST issued by Prefecture

AST : Autorisation de Sortie de Territoire – Authorisation to leave the Country

*Parental authority proved by any means, including:

- Family record book
- Birth certificate
- Divorce certificate
- Adoption certificate
- Guardianship certificate
- Certificate of delegation of parental activity