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HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Your questions

Is it difficult to switch home insurance companies in France?

Long-term contracts are more easily cancelled, particularly for renters

Are French tax charges on foreign property rental income correct?

France should award tax credits in some situations

Should my stepchildren have inherited more under French inheritance rules?

French forced heirship rules would apply to UK bank accounts, says Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal

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Is there a healthcare payment option for elderly second home owners in France?

Exploring insurance options and state healthcare access for British expats

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Are there rules to follow when changing a vehicle’s numberplate in France?

Plates can be ordered from garages or online

Can French police be contacted from abroad in the case of a burglary?

In some areas officers can check up on your property while you are away

Must I continue paying French property tax for second home sold in January?

Property taxes can be split into ten monthly payments

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Using major national estate agencies is an option if you need to have more confidence

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Safety is the number one priority, says Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats

Must I telephone first before going to hospital emergency centre in France?

The health ministry wants to reduce the strain on hospital services

Do foreign savings accounts have to be declared on French tax forms?

Admitting errors may make the authorities more lenient

Do drivers have to change number plates if they move to new French department?

Plates show a regional logo as well as department code - a source of pride for some

What to do if télépéage badge not detected on French free-flow motorway?

Motorway toll badges are a convenient way to pay toll fees on barrier-free motorways

Do sit-on lawnmowers require insurance in France?

Larger gardens may require tractor-mowers to keep on top of grass

Is appointment information automatically added to online French health space?

Documents can be found online for healthcare professionals and patients to see

How long can someone remain outside of France before residency permit is invalid?

You must correctly inform authorities if leaving the country

Is it necessary to pay a French driving fine before contesting it?

There is a time limit on contesting a fine you have received

Can companies refuse to send tradespeople to non-French speakers?

Refusing to provide a service to a non-French speaker may count as discrimination

Does France use ‘AI’ speed radars? What does this mean for drivers?

Changes to how radars work are set to come into force next year

What is process for building work near a site listed as historic monument in France?

The Architectes des Bâtiments de France must approve of external renovations within 500m of a listed site

Why do some French GPs charge more than others?

The price of a consultation is rising in December - but some already bill patients at €30 instead of €26.50

Neighbour’s chimney blows smoke into our French home: what can we do?

Chimney stacks must be a certain length from nearby rooftops

Are old euro banknotes still valid in France?

A new series intended to be harder to counterfeit began circulating in 2013

Can estranged child of late-partner inherit their house in France?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal explains French intestacy rules

Why are French roundabouts so confusing?

There are actually two types with different rules

What are the rules for garage sales in France and is tax due?

Non-professionals are only permitted to sell at a limited number each year

Why has my French 'pension de reversion' stopped?

A pension de reversion provide widowers with a percentage of their deceased spouse's pension

Will new 'no drive' zone in central Paris affect taxi journeys?

New restrictions are in place in the city centre

Do you receive additional paid leave following a family death in France?

Additional ‘bereavement’ leave is available in some cases

Are eyesight rules for drivers the same for licence-free cars in France?

It can be advisable to get an eye test before purchasing a voiture sans permis

Free data leak: is it possible to change French bank account number?

There are different numbers associated with your bank account

Will my children’s university expenses be liable to French gift tax?

Children may still be 'attached' to their parent's residence for tax purposes whilst at university

Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?

The card is linked to your social security number, which you must apply for first

Does 90/180 day rule affect visiting France if I have Spanish residency?

Rules on spending too long in another EU country are in place for everyone

Is French second-home property tax levied on garages?

Tax may also be levied on parking spots in certain situations

What documents do non-French people require for a Pacs?

Civil Partnerships are usually enacted at the local mairie

Do licence-free vehicles in France require a roadworthiness test?

Law change in April 2024 saw motorbikes require contrôle technique tests

Are drain unblockers for septic tanks commercially available in France?

Supermarkets offer a variety of standard unblockers

Can UK car insurance be extended to provide cover in France?

Standard policies last for 90 to 180 days

Is it possible to spread French income tax payments across the year?

Property and some business taxes can be spread across a ten-month period

What is the process for ordering a replacement vehicle registration in France?

Replacements can be ordered in cases of loss, theft, and damage

Will lack of time left on UK passport affect re-entry into France?

EU rules on passport validity requirements are strict

What are the rules for domestic wind turbine installation in France?

Turbines of all sizes can be purchased

Are French bank cards required at electric vehicle charging stations?

Payment for charging electric vehicles on the road can be made in many different ways

Are foreign nursing qualifications recognised in France?

Brexit changed rules for Britons relocating to France

How do to declare deceased spouse's pension for French taxes?

A look at how to notify authorities of a death, deal with the tax office and resolve online issues

Is it illegal to fit a boiling water tap in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Why have we not been paying taxe d’habitation on our French second home?

Exemptions exist but only apply in a very limited number of scenarios

What is the procedure if septic tank is classed as non-conforme?

Rules are different when buying a new home

What is ‘TIN’ number French bank is requesting?

It is related to taxation, and not social security

How do I ask for free French flu voucher if I did not receive one?

The 2024/2025 vaccination season has begun

Why are only some US states’ driving licences exchangeable for a French one?

Exchanging a non-EU licence for a French one is based on reciprocal agreements

Is making a French will the right choice for multiple property owners?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

Why are UK authorities asking about French work for pension top-up?

There are big differences between different which band you must pay into

How does vehicle breakdown cover work in France?

General car insurance policies include options for assistance

What are the rules on building a fence at French property?

Everyone has the right to build one on their own land but local planning regulations may apply

Will EES registration be required in France for EU residency permit holders?

The Entry/Exit System will require visitors to the Schengen Area to give their biometric information at the border

What is the ‘soil survey’ required before fitting a septic tank in France?

Local authorities may ask for an étude de sol before you install a new sanitation system that is not connected to sewers

What do French estate agents mean by a maison de caractère?

These large and distinctive properties were once prized by the middle class

Does a UK marriage need to be registered in France?

Different rules apply for French citizens and foreign residents who marry abroad

How is surplus energy sold to EDF declared on French tax form?

Understanding the declaration process for income, including deadlines and exemptions

Can British spouse of French passport holder use EU queue under EES rules?

Close family members can use EU passport queues under certain conditions

Do second-hand car purchases in France come with a warranty?

Buyers have some statutory protection from both dealerships and individual sellers

Can French wills be typed as opposed to handwritten?

The rules depends on who is writing it

Are electric vehicle grants available for second-home owners in France?

Two main schemes are available for residents

What exactly does maison secondaire mean in France?

Property descriptions are related to where you live 'habitually' and have the most links

Are the shutters on my French house essential for insurance?

Insurers recommend them, but the law is clear

What gift tax is liable on property in France for UK residents?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query

How can I apply for a visa without finalising home purchase in France?

Short-term rental contracts may be an option

Is there an ombudsman for insurance claims in France?

Issues with insurers over claims can take a long time to be settled

Is it possible to update the address of my second home via La Poste?

Many services need to be informed if you change your address

Is a partial French pension available for working some years in the country?

Pension amounts depend on criteria including how long you worked in France, and your salary

What are the rules on gifting a property in France?

The process must involve a notaire to ensure the rules are followed

What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

What is a French attestation des droits? Is it necessary to have one?

Schools and nurseries often ask parents to provide this document