A French court has blocked a law change allowing Britons to stay in France for over 90 days without a visa – and which would have resuscitated the flagging investment potential of French holiday homes.

The French government recently gave its backing to a proposal to extend the maximum stay without a visa to 180 days. This was to be done via an amendment to immigration legislation.

Prior to this, and directly because of Brexit, the British have not been able to stay in the country for more than 90 days in any 180 day period without applying for a six-month visa, which had received criticism for being a costly and lengthy process.

But the French Constitutional Council has now blocked the rule change – the council’s decision cannot be appealed so the issue is dead without new legislation.

The amendment in France was proposed by Martine Berthet, a senator representing the Savoie area in the Alps. She says British homeowners in the region are a significant part of the local economy.

French president Emmanuel Macron opposed the amendment, suggesting any change should be agreed at EU level, not on a national level.