Reader question

Should I include appliances in a French house insurance estimate?

When taking out a home cover policy, you are asked to calculate the approximate value of the property

Do UK pensioners in France now have to use digital life certificates?

New IT-based services are replacing classic ‘proof of life’ formats for some

How will EES/Etias affect spouses of EU nationals in France?

The EES is set to replace the current manual stamping of passports for non EU-nationals entering the bloc

practical

Do I need conformity certificate for septic tank to sell French home?

A status report on your sewage system will be required, although it does not necessarily need to pass

What can I do to stop my French neighbour’s regular garden bonfires?

Burning garden waste is normally illegal in France. We look at what you can do if your neighbour breaks this rule

Are all-season tyres allowed during winter in France?

Winter tyres are required from November in several areas of France, but the rules do offer a degree of flexibility

Should French car hire firms provide winter tyres or chains?

We look at how the requirement to properly equip cars in mountainous areas works with rental vehicles

Renovating a French property: be aware of planning rules before buying

Rules and restrictions can vary from region to region. Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query

Why are essential items so expensive in France?

This is not the first time, in 2019, food products and non-alcoholic beverages were 15% more expensive in France than the EU average

How do you organise a pet cremation in France and what are the costs?

Cremating a pet is a common choice, but there are other options

Has a start date been set for the EU's new digital border system?

The European Entry/Exit System will be a digital system for collecting data on non-EU citizens entering and leaving the Schengen area

France drought rules: Do they stop me topping up my swimming pool?

With droughts set to hit France hard again this year, we look at what is and is not allowed when it comes to private swimming pools

How can I insure my UK-registered car for long stays in France?

Many UK car insurers will only cover you for trips of up to 90 days in Europe, but there are alternatives if you need to spend longer in France

Can a dentist in France refuse to take a patient in an emergency?

Many parts of France are currently suffering from a shortage of dentists. We look at the options if you require emergency treatment

Carte Vitale: What do I do if I lose my French health insurance card?

We look at what you should do if you lose your carte Vitale

Does France offer grants to install reversible air conditioning?

We look at what options are available to home-owners in France

When is the best time to shop for deals in France?

While the official sales periods are strictly regulated in France, many shops also host ‘ventes privées’ (private sales). We look at which events offer the best deals

What can you do in France if your neighbour’s children are too noisy?

We look at what course of action you can take if you believe that next door noise is unreasonable

Does France have unmarked radar cars to catch people speeding?

French officials distinguish between two kinds of speed detection system carried by vehicles

Can we avoid a French tax return if we rescind our residency cards?

We look at the implications of swapping your Withdrawal Agreement cartes de séjour for visas de long séjour

How do you register a used car in France?

We look at the steps you need to take to get a carte grise for a new or used car

In French inheritance law, what is a pacte de famille?

We look at this French inheritance option and when it is advantageous

How can I oppose my neighbour’s building application in France?

Complaints can be lodged at your local mairie and administrative court but must follow certain rules

French privacy: Can I stop someone from taking a photo of my property?

Situations vary, but in some cases photographing a person’s property can be severely punished by law

Camembert, Roquefort, Brie: Can I bring French cheeses into the US?

We look at the rules around taking such gifts on stateside trips

How do I dispose of out-of-date medicines in France?

Throwing medicines down the sink or toilet or in the rubbish is discouraged as it can cause pollution

Can we delay the final signing of our French house purchase?

Partner article: Read the fine print carefully and understand the differences between contracts first

How to complete French property form if home is owned by UK company

Partner article: Tips on filing a déclaration d’occupation and the tax implications for property owned in this way

Do licence-free cars in France need to pass a roadworthiness test?

Contrôles techniques are being introduced for motorcycles, raising the question of whether voitures sans permis are also concerned

France home insurance: Do policies pay out for rat damage?

Insured or not, it is recommended to take quick action to call out pest control in the case of infestations

France wildfires: Does mandatory garden clearing apply to nearby land?

Many parts of France require property owners to clear undergrowth to prevent forest fires from spreading

We live abroad so can our French property be a ‘main’ home here?

How a property is used, for example whether it is your ‘main’ or ‘secondary’ home, affects such issues as which local taxes apply and at what rates

Can Americans stay in France for 90 extra days due to 1949 agreement?

We look at whether this old agreement between France and the US is still in force

What capital gains tax on non-residents’ former French main home?

There can be declarations to be made in both countries when a resident abroad sells a French property

Should we have declared small UK state pensions if we live in France?

We look at pension declaration obligations for foreign pensions and what to do if you have already declared this year and left these out

Is French eco-renovation aid only for main homes?

Financial help is available for renovating French homes to make them more energy efficient, but second-home owners are not always eligible

Is it true there is a paper version of France’s property declaration?

In exceptional circumstances, some people were able to use a paper form to declare their property information

French property form: How do I make corrections after submitting it?

There have been reports of difficulties with making alterations, however in theory it is possible

French property form: Will I be fined if I miss the June 30 deadline?

Penalties are set by law for not completing France’s obligatory online declaration, however officials have pledged leeway

French property form: Why am I asked about visits to our holiday home?

The biens immobiliers declaration asks for details of ‘occupancy’ of your French home but this should not be misinterpreted

French property declaration: Who completes this if owned via an SCI?

The details to be given are the same as for individuals but the process is slightly different

New property form: How are owners being informed about this?

Some readers say the only knowledge they had of this new rule came via The Connexion and that they would otherwise have faced a fine for non-declaration

New France property form: Why are the pre-filled details wrong?

The tax authorities have received many queries about ‘incorrect’ descriptions of homes but often no actual error has been made. We explain

Property form: How long for French tax site login details to arrive?

Several Connexion readers report having followed the online process to obtain this information

New property form: How do I get a password for the French tax site?

There are solutions for both residents and non-residents if you are experiencing problems accessing the site

Property form: What if my home is not listed on the French tax site?

The deadline is approaching for the new biens immobiliers declarations – you may need to take action if your property is not visible in your personal space

Can we give our French home to my husband's son?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, looks at the rules for foreign citizens who want to leave a French second home to one of their children

Reader charged €100 for contactless beer payment in French bar

Errors can sometimes happen with sans contact payments but the law is on your side

How do I get a numéro fiscal to access the French tax site?

The site is where you can check or declare property you own under a recent new obligation as well as where you declare income, if relevant

Can I get help meeting France’s mandatory garden clearance rules?

While there is no financial aid, tax credits can be used to reduce bills for hiring people to clear your garden

Why did French pension body ask about UK National Insurance record?

A reader asks if there is any link between the British and French pension systems and if it is possible to claim state pensions from both countries

How close to my neighbour’s fence can I build a shed in France?

We look at the rules around building a garden shed in France, which may differ depending on where you live

Can I get an eye test at an opticians in France?

You may be used to walking into an opticians and getting an eye test and new glasses, but the rules are slightly stricter in France

Next door’s extension will block sun to my French home. What can I do?

Even with authorised planning permission, new constructions that block sunlight can be contested

Pet travel: Can I take my dog or cat with me on a train in France?

There are set rules for pet travel, including paying extra for your tickets

Can you visit the French parliament and listen to a debate?

The palais Bourbon building is no longer closed off to the public, but advance planning is needed to see inside

What is the UK equivalent of the French bavette d’aloyau cut of beef?

A reader wants to know what to ask for in a British butcher's shop after discovering their favourite cut of beef while in France

Can I renounce French pension to obtain benefits of S1 health form?

Having healthcare via an S1 from another country can have advantages when it comes to social charges

How can I use my French chèque énergie gas or electricity vouchers?

This year’s vouchers began to be sent out last month and here we look at what you can do with them

Am I eligible for an interest-free loan to help buy a French property?

We look at who can apply for the prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)

How do Americans in France register for public health insurance?

The process can be lengthy and many recommend applying for private health insurance when first arriving in the country

Post Brexit: When do Britons need to swap to French driving licence?

For UK nationals living in France, the rules for exchanging a UK licence for a French licence are flexible - but there are exceptions

Do UK or French inheritances need to be declared on French tax return?

There is often confusion between inheritances and ordinary income

Must Americans declare their French bank accounts to the US?

We look at the rules around FBAR declarations

Did I miss the deadline to declare French inheritance?

John Kitching of French Law Consultancy replies to a reader who is worried she needed to declare the inheritance of her late husband’s property within 12 months

Do we have to pay back eco grants when we sell our French home?

It depends on which financial assistance you have received

Are freelancers entitled to France's professional training credits?

The credits allow workers in France to develop their skills or even retrain

Can we decorate our French balcony with plant pots?

Balcony use will depend on apartment block rules but these are usually quite liberal

As regular visitors to France, do we have correct residency card?

We look at who does and does not have the right to a French carte de séjour

Do second home owners in France need a French bank account?

Opening a French bank account could make life easier if you own a second home in France, but it is not the only option

How must I declare family trust in England under French law?

Partner article: The rules around declaring an English trust whilst a residence of France

Does homeworking change rules for frontier workers who live in France?

We look at the latest rules for French residents working for Swiss businesses

France property declaration: How can I find login information?

We look at how you can use your numéro fiscal to create your account for the first time, or what to do if you have lost this information or your password.

France beekeeping: are there rules for installing a hive in my garden?

The regulations include making an annual declaration to the Agriculture Ministry

Must I register side activities for French business taxes and charges?

Often if you make money from buying and selling or providing services then certain formalities are required