French EES Glitch Prompts Manual Checks at Dover, Raising Fears of Weekend Border Gridlock
Eurostar Warns of Delays on 17 July as EU Border Procedures Slow Services Through Channel Tunnel
Deadly thunderstorms disrupt transport nationwide after record heatwave
Latest News
France and Germany Agree to Coordinate Internal Border Controls to Tackle Channel Migration Route
In a joint communiqué issued after the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council, Paris and Berlin promised to synchronise internal border checks and step up cooperation against Channel-route people-smuggling. Businesses should prepare for more frequent ID inspections on cross-border routes as the two countries trial new control measures.
Franco-German council targets cross-border rail and apprenticeship hurdles
The 26ᵗʰ Franco-German Ministerial Council set out new measures to simplify rail travel, vocational training and police cooperation in border regions. Easier booking, additional cross-border rail projects and expanded apprenticeship schemes promise to reduce daily mobility friction for companies and workers operating on both sides of the Rhine.
Eurostar cancels multiple Paris–London services amid network restrictions
Eurostar cancelled several Paris–London trains on 17 July citing operational restrictions, while other services faced delays linked to border controls and tunnel traffic. The disruption strains peak-season capacity and highlights the need for contingency planning when moving staff between French and UK offices.
France’s new immigration-asylum code takes effect, aligning with EU Migration Pact
Decree 2026-454, effective 16 July 2026, revises France’s immigration and asylum code to implement the EU Migration & Asylum Pact. It introduces faster border screening, digital contract uploads for transferees, tougher employer sanctions and Eurodac biometric data-sharing. Global mobility managers must update compliance processes immediately.
Paris and Rabat end visa freeze as French PM Lecornu visits Morocco
France and Morocco formally restored full visa issuance on 16 July 2026 during Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit to Rabat. The two governments signed an enhanced mobility partnership featuring fast-track business, student and research visas and pledged deeper economic cooperation. The deal removes a major operational hurdle for companies and universities that rely on frequent cross-border travel.
Storm alerts force 20 % flight cut at Paris-Orly; delays expected at CDG
Citing severe thunderstorm risk, France’s DGAC ordered airlines to cancel one in five evening flights at Paris-Orly on 16 July, with ripple delays expected at Charles-de-Gaulle. The measure affects the height of the summer getaway and requires employers to review contingency plans for travellers and cargo.
Groupe ADP traffic data shows Paris airports flatlining; growth forecast trimmed
Paris-Aéroport handled 51.6 million passengers in the first half of 2026, up a marginal 0.5 %, prompting operator Groupe ADP to halve its full-year growth outlook. Weak long-haul demand and slot limitations at Orly underline ongoing capacity pressures for business travellers and air-cargo planners.
‘Livret du citoyen’ updated: new integration guide for naturalisation applicants
On 16 July, the Interior Ministry published an updated Livret du citoyen, detailing civic-knowledge expectations and new community-participation criteria for foreign residents seeking French nationality. The handbook clarifies counting rules for overseas assignments and will be used by prefectures with immediate effect, prompting companies to re-coach applicants.