Foreign children under 18 residing in France will need a travel document for foreign minors (DCEM) to travel abroad once the EU’s Entry/Exit System is implemented.
As soon as the system become functional, under-18s will have to hold a passport along with a DCEM to be exempt from the EES when travelling from France to another member state and the other way around. Since children of nationalities not required to have visas to enter France are not generally issued residence permits, the DCEM will serve as a document to prove that they legally reside in France, the Connexion explains.
On the other hand, foreigners over 18 years of age residing in France who hold a document proving that they are residents of the country will not be affected by the system. They will not be required to register into the EES as long as they possess a residency card. As Choose France’s official website explains, foreign minors living in France are not required to have a residence permit. However, when travelling outside the country, foreign minors are required to hold a DCEM, which permits trips abroad without the need to obtain a visa, to have a smooth travel experience.
In contrast, foreign residents in France over 18 with a valid residence permit will not be affected by the EES. They will not need to register with the EES as long as they possess a residency card. Choose France's official website states that foreign minors living in France are not required to have a residence permit. However, when traveling abroad, they must have a DCEM, allowing for visa-free travel and a smooth travel experience. The application for a DCEM should be made by the person with parental responsibility for the minor. Since the beginning of this year, applications can be submitted online, making the process more convenient. For minors with non-EU parents, the DCEM costs €50. If the minor's parents are EU citizens, the DCEM is issued for free. UK minors also receive the DCEM for free under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Once granted, the DCEM is valid for five years or until the minor turns 18.
When the EES is implemented, all nationals from countries outside the Schengen Area or the European Union will need to register in the system before entering the bloc. Foreigners wishing to enter the Schengen Area will be required to provide their fingerprints, take a photo, and share their passport details. This data will be stored in the database for three years, eliminating the need for passport stamps as the system will record their entry and exit from the Schengen Area.