Your questions

Man in suit with notepad, pen and calculator pointing at a mini house

Do I need to declare loan interest paid to me to French tax authorities?

Reader received payment back on original amount of €7,000 from friend

Why is my French tip no longer taking green waste?

Several communes including major cities have recently changed rules

How many people in France do not have a top-up mutuelle?

Rising costs push people out of healthcare accessibility

practical

Can French police suspend foreign driving licences?

Departments are cracking down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel

How can I find local tradespeople in France?

Hiring qualified professionals is best for bigger jobs

Screenshot of the French public finance website login page with help links and a tax payment section.

What should you do if you have missed France's tax declaration deadline?

Late declarants face financial penalties

Is France’s buzzard population at risk?

All native birds of prey are protected in the country

Terrace with a swimming pool, loungers, umbrellas and a tiled poolside area in the south of France.

Can you refill a pool during water restrictions and do French authorities run checks?

We look at how swimming pool restrictions are applied during drought periods

French border checks: what is changing over the next few months?

The ETIAS system is set to launch soon

A view of a family with a child packing moving boxes

How long do you have to move your belongings duty free to France?

We look at how the rule on goods brought during a move works in practice

Close-up of a hand holding a French identity card in Paris.

Does taking a test to obtain a French licence make you a ‘new driver’ for insurers?

It is not possible to request a simple exchange of some US driving licences

Close-up,Of,A,House,Model,On,Euro,Bank,Note

How to reduce the running costs of a second home in France

Property taxes, electricity and internet bills can quickly mount up

What should I do if bank card is swallowed by French cash machine?

It is likely that you will get it back but there are several exceptions to this

What happens if elderly parent living with us in France survives us?

It is worth discussing this with other close family members who might be able to help if necessary

How long should French bank statements be kept?

Documents can be used as proof in cases of disagreement

Close-up of a hand holding a British passport with gold crest on the cover.

Are Britons facing delays at French airports due to ETA?

Travel authorisation to enter UK is digitally linked to passports

Must UK authorities be informed if we bring back car from France on visit?

Vehicles should be registered in the country where they are kept

Will my licence be suspended if I use my phone for GPS in France?

We look at how enforcement of latest rules is being applied in practice

Are people fined for public urination in France?

There are specific nationwide laws against the practice

Who will inherit the French holiday home after father’s death?

Learn what inheritance rules apply to a French holiday home after a parent’s death

Hands,,Credit,Card,And,Waitress,With,Pos,At,Coffee,Shop

What would happen if Visa and Mastercard stopped operating in France?

Wero system is promoted by banks, although they are less keen on proposed ‘digital euro’

A view of a rubbish truck collecting waste in France

As renters, do we have to pay the local rubbish collection tax in France?

Two main types of bin tax exist in France

How long can you leave a car parked on the street in France?

Larger towns and cities often have strict by-laws

Doctor in white coat writing notes at a desk beside a laptop and stethoscope

Does 100% health coverage in France really cover everything?

You may still have additional costs despite receiving 'full' coverage from Assurance Maladie

Living in France part time - do I exchange my driving licence?

Licence exchange rules differ depending on the country which issued your licence and France’s agreements with it

Which passport lane should French residency card holders use upon arrival?

Non-EU passport lanes see longer queues due to EES registration

How much should I pay for mowing at French home?

Costs vary depending on factors such as skill level and the exact service provided

What are the rules about keeping a caravan in your garden in France?

There are some rules you need to follow if you do this

Workers,Installing,Solar,Panels,On,Roof,Framework,Of,New,Home,

Who can help with solar panel paperwork in France?

In many cases your installer should handle most of it but other avenues for help do exist

Are ‘malus’ taxes refunded by insurance if new car is stolen?

Government taxes can add tens of thousands of euros on top of new vehicle cost

Are dual passport holders impacted by EES or UK ETA?

Both passports should be carried and used at respective border points

Does equity release lower IFI wealth tax in France?

Reader also asks if properties rented out to someone else are exempt

Can we contest neighbour’s planning permission at their home in France?

There are rules which dictate whether planning permission can be contested and by whom

Are there English-language health helplines in France?

The CPAM state healthcare refunds service offers an English-speaking number

Selling a home in France: what should I tell the utility companies?

The transfer of utilities is a separate task from the notarial sale process

Dealing with wills in France: should we have more than one?

Having a UK will for UK assets only and then leaving intestacy laws to deal with the French side is not necessarily advisable

Is there issue with French passport machines reading US passports?

Some passport owners report difficulties with chip being read

How do landlords register an Airbnb let with French commune?

New system requires all mairies to give tourist rentals a number

Amal,Clooney,And,George,Clooney,Attend,78th,Annual,Tony,Awards

Why not mention Mrs Clooney’s French levels in your citizenship article?

George and Amal Clooney recently obtained French citizenship through a unique request

Typical,Romantic,House,In,France,In,The,Country

Do I become a French tax resident if I stay too long at my second home?

Two legal texts determine whether or not you are liable to pay taxes in France

Where can I get independent advice on solar panel installation in France?

There have been reports of scams and poor advice particularly in the south

French carte grise vehicle identification paper with car in background

How can we sell a car that we inherited in France?

Vehicle may be able to remain in his name before sale takes place depending on conditions

Do I need attestation d’acceuil for my son to visit if he lives outside EU?

Confusion persists over document including over EES rollout

What are the recycling rules in France?

We are all encouraged to go greener, but making sense of what can and cannot be recycled is not always obvious. We cover what objects can and cannot go in yellow French recycling bins

Magnifying glass zooming in on bank account figures

Should I declare interest on French bank account as an American?

Tax treaties can affect what authorities must be notified of

Can a local French mairie ban Airbnb listings?

Incoming changes mean all short-term lets must be registered

Carte Vitale: how do new arrivals apply for French health insurance card?

You need to obtain a social security number as a first step

Can mairie reject solar panel request for French second home?

Projects near protected buildings and areas face tougher scrutiny

Are Asian hornet traps reimbursed in France?

Projects near protected buildings and areas face tougher scrutiny

Paris,,France,08,08,2022,,,Black,Mercedes,Amg,G63

What is the malus tax for cars in France?

Many vehicles face additional costs when registered for first time

The word tax in front of some models of houses

How does French property tax relief work based on household income?

Eligibility for relief from the taxe foncière is assessed with reference to your family quotient parts

What is the difference between carte de séjour and carte de résident?

These are the two main categories of French residency card, or what is known broadly in French as un titre de séjour

What are France’s Mon Espace Santé and Dossier Medical Partagé?

Health databases can be checked by patients and professionals

Are annual boiler checks required at French second home?

Boilers are usually checked in summer before they are turned on for colder months

Does France now accept UK health qualifications for doctors to work in France?

Brexit led to the ending of cross-recognition of many qualifications

Do I have to pay VAT to bring second-hand goods into France?

A reader asks about the process and possible costs

How can car used for half of the year in France be insured?

Existing policy may not cover extended time spent in France

How far in advance should we apply for visa to visit second-home?

Visa applications are often made through third parties

Is French flour usually fortified with iron?

Rules are different from those in other countries such as UK and US

Financial,Advisor,Talking,To,A,Senior,Man,With,An,Investment,

What is the equivalent in France of power of attorney?

A mandat de protection future allows a person to name someone to make decisions for them in the future if they become unable to do so

Paris,,France,,15-09-2023,:,Sign,Of,La,Poste

Why is La Poste refusing to send my letter to the US?

There has been confusion over how customs rules apply to letters

Can the French tax office seize money from my bank account?

This can happen if you leave such bills unpaid, usually after several reminder letters

A view of a driver on a left-hand side drive car going fast on a straight road

My son got a speeding fine while driving my car in France - is my licence at risk?

Speeding fines are sent to the person registered as the car’s owner

Three young brothers playing rock, paper, scissors

What types of child custody arrangements exist for parents in France?

Family judges are sometimes required to rule on custody cases

a French residence permit or brexit withdrawal card inset against Lyon departmental prefecture

How long does récépissé for Brexit card renewal last?

Holders of five-year cards are now renewing document

What are your rights if police pull you over in France?

Police can stop drivers at any point for a roadside check

A view of someone looking at paperwork with a calculator and house model in the foreground

French residential tax debits have not been taken - what should I do?

Many opt for monthly payments from January to October

Border checks at Charles de Gaulle airport

I have overstayed the 90 day rule in France - what will happen?

Rules limit how long travellers can remain in EU without requiring a visa

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

Insurance companies have their own requirements

A view of a model house and mini checklist with a magnifying glass

Is there an exemption for helping my child buy a home in France?

2025 finance law gives time-limited exemption with regard to gifts of money for this purpose

Can UK vehicle be registered at French second home?

Confusion over ‘proof of address’ required for request

When can you seek a second medical opinion in France?

Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this

A view of a carte grise against a car in the background

What can I do about old cars in my French barn?

Vehicles may sometimes come without proper registration documents

Can drivers park in French delivery zones?

Special zones are found near commercial centres where high frequency of delivery vehicles are expected

A view of a decorated coffin at a funeral

How does repatriation from France to the US work after a death?

Local consulates should be informed of the death of a US citizen abroad