About the guide
Moving to France will transform your life and, for most people crossing the Channel, that is exactly what they want.
France offers a high quality of life, often in a lovely environment and with a good climate, all the facilities and all the comforts.
On the downside, new residents sometimes find the bureaucracy excessive and difficult to handle and some have problems in adapting to an unfamiliar culture and language.
However, the overwhelming majority of those who move to France from Britain soon lose any desire to return.
As many readers of France’s English-language newspaper The Connexion can confirm, the transition is not necessarily straightforward so we have compiled this guide to introduce a whole range of subjects that, if considered and tackled at the appropriate time, should make the transition much easier.
Connexion journalists who have made the move here and adapted to life in France have researched the information with the help of experts in their respective fields. We have also included tips from readers who have started a new life in France.
Do not expect France to be like Britain or any other country. It is not. Although the same problems occur in everyday life all over the world, each country treats them differently and has its own rules and solutions.
Also, do not expect French people to behave exactly as your British neighbours did. France has its own culture and priorities.
This guide will give you the information needed to ease your entry into French life.
On a practical note, we sometimes make references to UK or British law. There are, of course, differences between Scottish, English and Welsh law. However, the focus of this guide is on France and references to the UK are made mainly for comparison.
You should always discuss your requirements with a qualified expert as the information here is general and may not cover your individual circumstances.
Download the full guide now, as a PDF, or browse extracts from the chapters below.
Contents
- Formalities
Visas and residence permits, importing your possessions, driving licences, work permits - Moving money
Exchange rates, currency transfer specialists, charges and commission, regular payments, forward contracts, FSA protection - Bank accounts
Opening an account, documents you need, current and savings accounts, fees and charges, help in English, setting up payments - French taxes
Switching fiscal residence, income tax bands, calculating your household allowance, social charges, filling out the forms, local taxes, wealth tax - Working in France
Qualifications and training, starting a business, finding a job, paying charges, joining business register, taxation - Buying a property
Buying or renting, house or flat, finding ads, hiring a notaire, signing the contract, costs and tax - Mortgages
Banks and mortgage brokers, fixed and variable interest rates, loan terms, repayment insurance, remortgaging, how much can you borrow? - Second homes
Legal points to consider, keeping your property secure, insurance - Renovation
Finding a builder and architect, obtaining planning permission, references and quotes, fixing specifications and completion dates, how to check a tradesman is legitimate - Setting up home
Choosing a gas and electricity supplier, phone lines, television, broadband connections, rural internet options, mobile phones, post - Healthcare
Finding doctors, registering with a GP, consultation fees and reimbursements, the Carte Vitale, top-up insurance, cover for state pensioners, early retirees and self-employed - Pensions/savings
Pension plans and funds, Qnups, Qrops, assurance vie - Inheritance
Inheritance tax laws, making a will, reserved heirs, children and stepchildren, how your estate is divided, marriage regimes, civil partnerships, gifts - Retirement homes
Accommodation types, costs, finding a home, tax implications, financial aid - Insurance
Home insurance, risks covered, getting a quote, legal protection, personal liability, car/motor insurance, making a claim, how contracts work - Settling in
Meet the mayor, meet your neighbours, register to vote - Language
How to learn French, reading, listening and speaking, understanding accents, translations - Education
Types of school, how to register, vaccinations, timetables, the year system, insurance, equipment, extra tuition, childcare, private/international schools, child benefits - Motoring
Registering an imported car, insurance cover, road rules, driving licences, points, speeding offences and fines, MOT checks - Pets and animals
Getting animals insured, travelling with pets, passports
