France will renew for another six months the border controls it re-established with its neighbours on the night of the November 2015 Paris attacks, according to a document seen by AFP.But, according to a document sent by Paris authorities to the European Union's Council of leaders, France still fears an active "terrorist threat" that it believes is reduced by identity checks.

"The year 2018 has already been marked by two attacks claimed by the Islamic State that have left five dead and 20 wounded," the letter said, adding that five planned attacks have been thwarted.

In practice, French land border controls with its EU partners are very light and many travellers pass without checks, but under its temporary order France retains the right to check passports and expel undesirables.