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EES & Your Ski Trip: How the New EU Border Rules Affect Families This Winter
What Skiers Need to Know for 2025–26
Thinking about hiring a car for your family ski holiday this winter? You're not alone. Car hire in France is one of the most flexible and affordable ways to reach the mountains for your ski holiday, especially for families travelling with young children. But if you've seen worrying headlines about new EU rules coming in on October 12th, 2025, you might be wondering: will British travellers need different car insurance to hire a car? Are things changing for UK skiers?
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what practical steps you should take to make your ski holiday car hire stress-free. This advice is based on thorough research from credible sources like ABTA, Auto Europe, RAC, MoneyMaxim, and official French government guidance. As a British expat living in the French Alps and the founder of That’s La Plagne, I’ve helped hundreds of families navigate the practicalities of skiing in France. Including how to hire a car, what insurance you need, and how to drive here safely.
This article is designed to support parents like you, who want a clear, honest, and practical guide to car hire for a family ski trip. Whether you're driving from the UK or picking up a rental car in Grenoble, Geneva or Lyon, this guide will help you avoid stress and stay on budget.
What’s Changing in October 2025? (EES & What It Means for Skiers)
From 12 October 2025, the EU is introducing a new digital border control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES). This system will apply to all “third-country nationals.” Which of course, now includes UK citizens after Brexit. The EES will replace traditional passport stamping with biometric data collection, including facial recognition and fingerprint scans. According to sources like ABTA and NimbleFins, this will apply at:
- Airports (including Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble)
- Eurotunnel and ferry terminals (e.g. Calais, Dunkirk)
- Major road crossings from non-EU countries
For families travelling to the French Alps this winter, this means potential delays at the border, especially if you’re travelling during peak half-term or Christmas periods. The new system is designed to speed up entry in the long term, but as it rolls out, you should expect:
- Longer queues at passport control
- Extra checks on documents, especially for accommodation and proof of funds
- Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted, but still require valid passports
Why this matters for ski holiday car hire:
If you're driving to the Alps or picking up a hire car in France, EES could add time and complexity to your journey. It's worth building in buffer time for border crossings, especially if you're catching a train or have a long drive ahead.
It’s also smart to have printed copies of your accommodation bookings, travel insurance, and return tickets, in case you're asked to provide them. This applies whether you're arriving by car, plane, or train.
There are no confirmed plans to require car hire insurance documents at the border, but given the increased scrutiny, it's worth having everything printed and easily accessible.
Do you need different insurance to hire a car in France?
Here’s the short answer: No, UK citizens do not need special insurance to hire a car in France from October 2025. Despite rumours online, I found no evidence from French legal sources or the European Commission suggesting any new requirement that changes how UK drivers are insured when hiring a car.
That said, it’s vital to understand what is included in your car hire, what isn't, and what you might want to add for peace of mind.
What’s usually included in car hire in France:
If you book through a reputable platform like DiscoverCars.com or a global provider like Hertz or Europcar, your hire car in France will typically include:
- Third-party liability insurance (required by French law)
- Basic theft and damage cover
However, these basic inclusions often come with a high excess (sometimes €1,000 or more). That means if your car is damaged or stolen, you could still be liable for a large chunk of money.
What’s often excluded (and why it matters):
Many ski holiday car hire packages don’t include full protection for:
- Windscreens
- Tyre damage
- Underside or roof damage (common in snowy mountain driving)
- Snow chains or winter tyres (check this carefully)
- Roadside assistance
You may be offered expensive top-up insurance at the rental desk, often at inflated rates. To save money, many UK travellers choose to:
- Use a credit card that includes rental car protection (check your bank's fine print)
- Buy standalone excess insurance in advance (from providers like MoneyMaxim, Cover4Rentals, or ReduceMyExcess)
Documents to bring
To collect your hire car, you’ll need:
- Your UK driving licence (photocard is accepted in France)
- A credit card – sometimes needed in the name of the main driver (this has caught me out before!)
- Your passport
- Booking confirmation
Make sure your card has sufficient credit for the deposit – this can be up to €1,500, depending on the vehicle and rental provider. So always check ahead.
Driving your own car to France for your ski holiday
If you’re taking your own vehicle from the UK to the Alps, you’re in good company. Many families find this to be the most convenient option. Especially if you want to avoid airport faff, pack all your ski gear, or travel with young kids.
Here’s what you need to know for winter 2025/26:
1. Green Card: No Longer Required
UK drivers no longer need a green card to prove they’re insured in the EU. However, you should still carry proof of insurance just in case.
2. Required equipment for driving in France:
Make sure your car includes:
- Headlight beam deflectors (or tape if your lights aren’t adjustable)
- High-vis jackets for every passenger (must be stored in the car cabin)
- Warning triangle
- Spare bulbs (recommended)
- Breathalysers (no longer a legal requirement, but not a bad idea)
- Snow chains or winter tyres: mandatory in Alpine regions under the “Loi Montagne” from November to March
3. Paperwork to carry:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- V5C (logbook)
- Proof of insurance
- Travel insurance (GHIC card + private cover)
Check RAC’s Europe driving guide for the latest updates.
4. Driving tips for ski holidays:
- Avoid driving on Saturdays (changeover day = worst traffic). If you have to, try early morning or late evening. And allow for extra traffic on the roads.
- Check the weather and road conditions daily
- Use covered parking where possible to avoid frozen locks
- Snow clear your car in advance of your journey in needed
- Don’t rely solely on Google Maps, mobile signal can be patchy in the Alps
What about the Crit’Air sticker? (Clean air zones in France)
If you’re driving to the French Alps this winter, either in your own car or a hire car, it’s not just border rules like EES you need to think about. Another thing on your radar should be Crit’Air, France’s clean air sticker scheme.
What is Crit’Air?
Crit’Air (short for certificat qualité de l'air) is an environmental classification sticker that indicates how polluting your vehicle is. Cars are rated from Crit’Air 0 (electric) to Crit’Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).
The sticker is mandatory for driving in certain French cities and “low emission zones” (ZFE-m). And yes, this includes routes and valleys en route to the Alps.
Where does it apply?
Crit’Air is enforced in several major cities and regions, including:
- Grenoble
- Lyon
- Annecy (periodically during pollution spikes)
- Chambery
- Paris (if you’re passing through)
If you’re driving through these areas, even just passing on the autoroute, you may need a valid Crit’Air sticker on your windscreen.
Do UK drivers need one?
Yes. If you’re bringing your own UK-registered car into France, you’ll need to order a Crit’Air sticker in advance. You can order the Crit'Air online and it costs around €4.61 and is sent by post, so allow time before your trip.
Note: If you’re hiring a car in France, it should already have a sticker. If you’re hiring from Geneva (Swiss side), it may not. It's another reason to check carefully.
What happens if you don’t have one?
If you’re caught driving in a ZFE without the correct sticker, you could face a fine of €68–€135. Police and automated systems can enforce this, especially during pollution alert days.
Pre-ski-trip checklist for stress-free ski holiday car hire
Whether you're renting a car in France or driving over from the UK, here’s a quick list to help you feel confident and prepared:
Car Hire Essentials:
- ✅ Book through a trusted platform (e.g., EuropCars, Discovercars.com)
- ✅ Compare excess protection options
- ✅ Check what insurance is included (and what isn’t)
- ✅ Add snow chains or winter tyres if needed
- ✅ Confirm the fuel policy (full-to-full is best)
- ✅ Bring your driving licence, passport, and credit card
Driving Your Own Car:
- ✅ Pack all required safety equipment
- ✅ Carry proof of insurance and V5C
- ✅ Make sure your travel insurance covers car-related incidents
- ✅ Book Eurotunnel or ferry tickets early (especially for February half-term)
- ✅ Check the local Loi Montagne requirements (snow chains etc.)
General Border Tips:
- ✅ Stay calm – border staff are just doing their job
- ✅ Print or download all booking confirmations
- ✅ Be ready to show return tickets and proof of funds
- ✅ Arrive early (or at the recommended time) at borders and allow for delays
Ski holiday car hire doesn’t have to be complicated
Despite the headlines, ski holiday car hire for UK families in France is still very straightforward. The key is to go in prepared:
- Know what’s changing at the border (EES)
- Understand what your car hire includes
- Bring the right documents and book early
By doing this, you’ll avoid unnecessary costs, stress, or delays – and focus on what really matters: making unforgettable memories in the snow.
You can verify all this info and find out more on the official EES website.
As always, I’m here to help. If you’re planning a ski holiday to La Plagne or anywhere in the Alps, feel free to get in touch. You can also join my email list for weekly planning tips, deals, and honest advice on skiing with kids.
Got a question about car hire, winter driving, or planning your route to the Alps? Drop me a DM on Instagram or comment below. I’ll point you in the right direction.
