Do you need an ETA for the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, etc)?

As of 31 October 2025, here is a precise and up-to-date overview of the requirements for traveling to the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, Herm) as a French citizen, with a focus on the current situation and planned changes for 2026.

Requirements by document type

French National Identity Card (CNI)

Until 30 September 2025, the French ID card was accepted for day-trips (same-day returns) to Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney. This temporary measure, introduced in October 2023, was extended twice.

That tolerance expired on 30 September 2025. Since then, the French national ID card is no longer accepted for any travel to these islands, even on day trips.

Some ferry operators or island administrations may still accept the CNI as an exceptional measure until 31 December 2025, but this is not guaranteed. Guernsey, for instance, states that a CNI remains valid only until the end of 2025, but travelers are advised to bring a passport.

Update, 3 November 2025: Jersey’s border control currently displays signage allowing French citizens to enter with a valid CNI, likely until the end of 2025.

For overnight stays or all other situations, the national ID card has never been accepted as a valid travel document.

These arrangements apply only to French citizens; travelers from other EU countries or outside the EU have always required a passport.

Passport

Since 1 October 2025, a valid passport—biometric or electronic—is mandatory for all journeys to the Channel Islands, regardless of trip length or type.

The passport requirement also applies to non-French citizens traveling from any point of origin, including those transiting through the UK.

All travelers, including minors, must carry a valid passport; minors traveling without both parents or a legal guardian must also present a French exit permission slip (AST).

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Since 2 April 2025, a UK ETA has been required for any journey transiting the UK, including French travelers.

Until at least the end of 2025, no additional ETA is required to travel directly from France to the Channel Islands.

A dedicated Channel Islands ETA system is scheduled to take effect in 2026. This new ETA will be separate from the UK ETA and will require travelers to hold a valid passport at the time of application.

Island-by-island summary (as of 31 October 2025)

Jersey
Day-trips with CNI accepted until 30/09/2025 (now expired). Mandatory passport from 1 Oct 2025 onward. UK transit requires ETA from 2 Apr 2025; separate Channel Islands ETA planned from 2026.

Guernsey
Same rules as Jersey.

Sark
Indirect access via Jersey; follows the same requirements.

Alderney
Day-trips with CNI accepted up to 30/09/2025 (now expired). Mandatory passport from 1 Oct 2025 onward. Same ETA rules apply via UK.

Herm
Same rules as Jersey and Guernsey.