Practical brexit

How young Britons in France can get a residency card at 18

The children of Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card holders need to apply for the right to stay

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards: French residency requirement rules

You can lose the right to stay in France if you are away for too long

Wife’s struggle to join Brexit-card husband in France

She has only just received an acknowledgement slip for her application despite applying towards the beginning of the year

practical

Are there import charges on a magazine sent from the UK to France?

There is a different treatment depending on whether magazines contain samples and ‘goodies’ or not

Permanent residency cards in France: 2024 renewal rules

We also look at the situation with Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards

Can I take my dog on a cross-channel UK-France ferry?

There are different regulations for taking animals on a ferry based on whether you are going from France to the UK or the UK to France

Will France's new language rules affect Brexit residency cards?

A number of visas required to live in France have been affected by the new immigration law

Six tips to accept Brexit into your French life with serenity

Columnist Cynthia Spillman waited 60 years to move to France - then Brexit happened. This is how she deals with it

Can I hire a car in France with a UK driving licence?

Additional paperwork may be required for those without a French licence

‘We must help ease 90/180 rule for owners of French second-homes’

Senator from Savoie calls for your feedback on why more flexibility would benefit France

What is the best way to send a small parcel from France to the UK?

The national postal service offers two main ways to send parcels internationally

Visa for British second-home owners in France: How often can we apply?

British visitors are starting to make use of visas to spend extended time in France, post-Brexit. We answer a recent reader question on calculating visa and other visiting periods

90/180-day rule: French senator lobbies to help UK second-home owners

Senator for Savoie asks interior minister to consider special status for British citizens who bought their properties pre-Brexit

How long to get a visa for France, what is cost for a courier service?

Taking advantage of all services offered can help facilitate the visa process

Hundreds of Britons have considered selling second homes in France

Our survey reveals how much second-home owners contribute to the economy and community – and why they want to leave

Brexit loophole confirmed as cause of new UK-France Sepa bank fees

French banking federation says charges are now possible as the European law pricing principle no longer applies to UK-EU Sepa transfers

Elections, pension reform, defence: French politics in 2023

We look at who votes in the Senate elections, the ‘real deadline’ to resolve the Northern Ireland border dispute

Second-home owners in France can get information on new Etias website

The Etias travel scheme for non-EU residents will not start until the end of 2023 but an information website is now live

Language tests, votes, immigration: French residency changes in 2023

We look at new laws and changes that could affect your residency rights next year

What food items can I take from France to UK for gifts post-Brexit?

There are specific rules on the products that can be brought across EU and UK borders

Make sense of duty-free shopping in France

Brexit has brought the return of duty-free shopping for France-UK travel, but this does not always equal savings. We explain more

What is the EU’s incoming Etias travel authorisation scheme?

9 in 10 Britons do not know about the travel authorisation scheme according to a study

Longer waiting times expected due to new EU border checks

Officials are warning travellers could face significantly increased waiting times following the introduction of new border checks next year

Why can I no longer order Remembrance Day items to France from UK?

We look at what has changed with regards to Royal British Legion orders to the EU and what your options are if you live in France

Can you bring paint into France from the UK for personal use?

Items which are not meant for commercial use can be brought into France without VAT or customs duties but only up to a certain limit

Can I return to UK after French visa then come back for short stay?

We look at whether being in France on a long-stay visa affects the 90-day visa-free allowance

New pro-Europe party wants better rights for Britons abroad

True & Fair believes UK nationals living overseas should not be treated as ‘second-class citizens’

‘How I got €37 postage fee refunded for £3.50 book delivery to France’

When his sister sent him a book she had written, one reader was charged a huge fee to receive it but has won a refund

French set-up going to plan as UK wine wholesaler moves citing Brexit

€150,000 a year in extra costs were the catalyst for a change of country – but south of France lifestyle is added bonus

Language tests for multi-year residency cards on agenda for French MPs

Many forms of card already involve tests – and hundreds of hours of lessons if your language skills are poor

Another couple in France lose £14,000 life cover as Aviva ends policy

One reader affected said a dedicated MP for the British abroad in France could have helped

What caused this weekend’s six-hour Calais ferry queues?

Waiting times are back to normal after British passengers returning home from summer holidays on Saturday and Sunday were affected by long delays

Does Brexit have implications for a will involving my French home?

Since Brexit second-home owners should be wary of possible pitfalls in managing their wills

Barclays closes accounts of Britons in France: what about other banks?

We asked other main UK banks about their intentions for account-holders in France

Can I get a withdrawal agreement S1 when I turn 66 this year?

We look at the terms for obtaining an S1 form and how the cover they offer has changed for some people post-Brexit

France 90-day stay: is the 180-day period rolling or fixed at entry?

Third country nationals are allowed to stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days in every 180. We look at this rule in detail

What happens if I cannot help but overstay my 90 days in France?

We ask whether delays relating to illness or transport disruption will be taken into account by border control authorities for non EU visitors

Can I bring specialist varieties of flour from the UK to France?

We look at the rules for travelling with food products, which have become stricter since Brexit

Can an Ehic card be used by a resident of France on visit to the UK?

We look at the rules for accessing healthcare in the UK as an ex-resident

Can I bring snacks or finger food on the ferry from the UK to France?

Sandwiches, sweets, dairy… We look at post-Brexit rules on what products can be taken into France

Does the day of entry/exit count towards EU’s 90-day visit limit?

The EU allows third-country nationals entitled to visa-free travel to stay for 90 days in every 180

Can I take cheese from France to the UK post-Brexit?

We look at the rules on transporting meat and dairy products from EU countries to the UK

Is time in French overseas territories included in 90/180 rule?

Many third-country nationals visiting France are only allowed to stay for 90 days in every 180 without a visa

Holiday home gardens in France fall victim to Brexit 90-day rule

We look at solutions and prices to keep on top of your French second home garden including self-employed gardeners, solar-powered lawnmowers and how La Poste could help

Applying for ‘returned goods relief’ to take items from France to UK

We take a look at the steps to take if you want to take belongings with you when moving countries

Post-Brexit travel healthcare: What is a UK ‘CRA’ Ehic card?

The UK now issues two kinds of travel health card - Ghics, or Ehics with lettering saying ‘CRA’ standing for Citizens Rights Agreement. We clarify the difference

Your Brexit questions: Second homes in France

Will capital gains tax change? What visa should we get to stay twice in one year? Why do I need to pay a new fee to sell now?...

Brexit: If I spend 90 days in France how many days until I can return?

We explain how the 90/180-day rule works for British people looking to travel to France without a visa

Should we pay ‘taxe d'habitation’ if not in French house on January 1?

Covid and Brexit rules meant many non-residents were not physically in France on January 1 but remain liable to pay

French social charge reduction: How can we prove NHS ‘membership’?

UK residents and S1-holders can still benefit from reduced social charges rates for rental income and property gains with proof of integration into UK healthcare system

Do S1 Britons in France keep lower social charges?

Legal experts are still examining whether British S1 form holders who live in France (and other EU countries) and are covered by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement can maintain these advantages

Can I use my French mobile in the UK without roaming fees?

Since Brexit, French mobile operators have not been obliged to waive such fees for phone use in the UK

How can the EU’s proposed Etias and EES systems not be Brexit revenge?

The security measures will be gradually rolled out from September and mean some non-EU citizens, including Britons, having to pay a small fee to enter the Bloc

Fees, fraud, debt: How bank clients can get help in France

Plenty of issues can arise in a client-bank relationship. We speak to Michel Guillaud, president of France Conso Banque, about defending customer rights

What are alcohol limits for France-UK travel? Per person or per car?

The amount of alcohol which you can bring into the UK depends on its type

Will Brexit mean caps on taking alcohol from France to UK?

The famed ‘booze cruise’ that sees British people load up on cheap alcohol in France will no longer be possible to the same extent

France to UK family visit: What gifts can we bring under Brexit rules?

As in the other direction, post-Brexit there are new rules as to what travellers can take with them. You should bear them in mind when taking gifts for UK family

Horlicks, peanuts, salad cream… What can I bring to France from UK?

The EU’s rules on bringing food with you from non-EU countries can be confusing. We look at some recent examples sent in

Post-Brexit: Are multilingual standard forms still accepted in France?

Multilingual forms are no longer sufficient to carry out certain administrative procedures and must be accompanied by a sworn translation

Coming to France from UK: Temporary visitor visas and passport stamps

Many second-home owners are looking at this visa option so as to be able to spend more time in France. We look at how passport stamps work with regard to this

Second home: Can I get insurance for stay on long-term visa in France?

Most UK insurance companies now only seem interested in covering people on tourist trips for up to 90 days

What about DLA benefit and pensions after Brexit?

I receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in France from the UK government and pay tax in the UK on my medical pension. What will happen to these after Brexit? G.L.

What will change for British drivers visiting France?

Will there be changes for second home-owners with regard to driving on a UK licence in France after the transition period ends on December 31 this year?

Can we get a post-Brexit carte with no fixed address?

We do not own or rent a property but travel around France in our motorhome. I believe there are many people who either travel like this or stay on campsites that do not allow them to use the address for residential status. We can supply a postal address. Will we be able to obtain Brexit deal cards?