France rejects the 90-day rule amendment, which is a blow to British homeowners - Olive Press Spain News

The French Supreme Court has rejected an amendment to its immigration law requiring British homeowners to leave the country after 90 days. On Thursday, France's Constitutional Court blocked an amendment passed in November that would have granted Britons with second homes in France a long-stay visa allowing them to stay longer than the current 90-day period. The court ruled the amendment unconstitutional, The Telegraph reported.Since Brexit, Britons who own property in France have been subject to normal Schengen rules, which prohibit stays of more than 90 days in a 180-day period. In November 2023, the French Senate passed an amendment to the immigration law that would allow British property owners to stay in France for longer than 90 days, effectively granting them a temporary long-term residence visa. The amendment was supported by Martine Berthet, a senator from the Alpine region of Savoy.

French President Emmanuel Macron did not support the amendment. At the time, Berthet and her supporters said that banning British citizens who own real estate from staying in France was a "punishment" for Brexit and would hurt the French economy. Lawmakers also said it would force many to leave their second homes, leading to more empty properties. However, following the court's decision, all Britons who own property in France must continue to apply for long-term visas for the time being.