Crossing national borders within the EU (Germany and France) as an unaccompanied minor
I am a 16 year old Canadian citizen hoping to travel with my father from Canada to Belgium, then intending to take the train alone to Germany and stay in Cologne, where I would stay a few nights in a hostel (Jugendherberge/youth hostels in Germany allow those 14+ to stay alone with written parental permission, which I would of course have). I would then head on to France (Paris) by train and meet back up with my father there.
Is this a feasible plan or will I run into trouble crossing the German or French borders? Is it necessary to provide additional documentation (another letter from parent, proof of ticket out of Paris back to Canada?)
Best Answer
Under German law, legal guardians are allowed and required to supervise minor children. The extent of this supervision depends on the age of the minor, it is possible in principle that parents allow minors to travel to another city unaccompanied.
On a page which seems mostly concerned with German minors leaving the Schengen Area, the German Federal Police advises to bring a permission letter by the guardian/s (by both if there are two of them) which lists:
- The identity of the minor, accompanying persons if applicable, and the travel destination.
- Identity and means to contact the guardian/s.
- A copy of the data page of an ID document of the guardian/s.
This is supposed to simplify their checks to avoid child abduction by only one of the guardians or truancy by the children.
This eu site also mentions regarding EU nationals that such a letter should also:
- Explicitly mention that the child may travel alone.
- Be in the languages of the destination and home countries if possible. (I would expect that English will do better than a google translation.)
You should also be able to explain how you will pay for your subsistence while in Germany (not necessarily with cash in your pocket) and how you will travel on. Bring your passport (and for those who require it your visa), too.
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Can minors travel alone in the EU?
Starting with 12 and up to reaching 18 years of age, the unaccompanied minor service is available (subject to availability) upon request of the parent/legal guardian. IMPORTANT! The service fee is 60 EUR/segment for international flights and 40 EUR/segment for domestic flights.Can a minor travel alone in Germany?
Passengers under the age of 18 travelling without parents / guardians to / from Germany. In accordance with German law, minors under the age of 18 entering / departing from Germany alone (including transit passengers*) must prepare a consent letter signed by a parent / guardian.Can a 16 year old travel alone to France?
16 to 18 years old: can travel by themselves, as long as they've got all the usual travel documents and meet all the legal requirements (please see below).Can a 14 year old travel alone in Europe?
A minor may travel alone to the countries belonging to the Schengen Area, that is, without being accompanied by his parents or one of the parents. It is necessary for him to have a passport or an identity card.Germany, rearmament, and Ukraine - \
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