I expect to move permanently to France next year. I’m still feeling my way in terms of things I need to do/know to ensure I get things right, particularly with the bureaucratic/legal side of things.
I’ve made some progress and I am aware of some things I still need to do. But I’m inclined to think of the famous quote by Donald Rumsfeld regarding ‘unknown unknowns’ - there may well be things I am not aware of, that I need to do. By their very nature, I can’t ask questions about such issues, since I am not aware of them
I don’t want to fall foul of the powers-that-be especially, as I have read on here, ignorance is not accepted as an excuse when things go wrong.
I’ve been searching for a book (or a website?) that covers the subject comprehensively post-Brexit, without success. Most of the books I’ve seen (Amazon etc) were written before Brexit and may well be, in part at least, out of date. I’m just wondering if any of you good folk have come across such a resource on this subject, be it a book or a website ?
I have been consistently impressed by the up to date details and relevance of their free Guides on this site. Scroll to the bottom, after the properties. They cover tax, healthcare, inheritance laws etc…Obviously they want you to browse/look at their properties but you can easily ignore all that!
I know exactly what you mean by the Rumsfeldian ‘unknown unknowns’, particularly if local practices are very different from what you are used to back in (say) the UK. I was completely taken aback by the discovery that lifetime transfers of assets or cash between spouses are taxable in France, above a threshold, and that 100% lump sums from pension schemes can be taxed extremely lightly in France. I thought I’d researched both items before coming to France but you can never do too much research! The Guides also alerted me to the technical chapter and verses that being privately insured for medical issues meant no prélèvements sociaux on my pension.
I’ve not looked, but I doubt a book exists these days that covers the actual administrative process. It changes too frequently, even for an e-book. Probably books on making the decision, but it sounds as if you have done that?
The best I can suggest is €20/year subscription to France Insider. (It is an off shoot of French Property George mentions above)
It has flaws but is hugely more reliable than The Connexion - a french/english newsletter that is often wildly wrong. France Insider has a searchable archive which covers most of what you need to know, but cross - check everything in case of changes.
One thing you will learn pretty quickly is that there are the national rules and regulations, and then the local préfecture’s interpretation. So remain flexible.
Prepare your list, and work through it….
Current investments/pensions etc - do you need to make changes before you become resident in France
Health Insurance
Visa
Bank Account
Car import
Personal goods import
Insurance
Utilities
Tax
But also think of things like implications for inheritance, and a new will (or maybe not depending on circumstances)
I got the most recent Blevins Franks guide, which is okay but quickly out of date; a sub to France Insider, following a recommendation here; and a book about applying for a visa, which wasn’t very good.
There are a couple of Facebook groups which you might find useful, especially their guides: Strictly Legal France and Strictly Fiscal France.
I know what you mean about not knowing the gaps in your knowledge. I found that, the more that you read, the more gaps you identify, and as long as you avoid the unreliable sources (principally the Connexion ), cross-check sources and ask questions, you should be all right.
We also found our immobilière really helpful on the practical side.
A lot of everyday stuff is learned as you go. I would have thought the most important stuff to know is the damage of the fallout from Brexit andhow that has changed living here including visas, sufficient monthly income (not savings), health insurance until you can enter the state system and get a mutuelle etc, being aware of the strict laws of inheritance, divorce and even marriage and of course, taxes both income and property. The right to just rock up and live here permanently like most of us did has long gone now and the authorities can kick you out at any time if they wish, no longer the protection we once had. Buying a car here would be far less problematic than bringing a UK registered one over even if it costs more, its hassle you don’t want and safety to be considered with the steering wheel on the wrong side for these roads. You need also to try and understand the language which when you live here, comes easier but do not depend on people speaking english, professionals can but are not allowed to write it down in matters of medicine and law. Good luck and maybe ask questions on this forum, after all, we have all been through it but most not since brexshite.
Not wishing to create any drift from Mike’s interesting thread…
My understanding from the attached note is that by virtue of not being in Secu, and being fully insured privately for medical issues, I am not liable for any prélèvements sociaux. I’ve now been here for more than 3 years, and each year have religiously ticked the appropriate boxes in our tax returns confirming we are not in Secu. No demands - so far(!) - for any prélèvements sociaux on my pension. I do though pay it on interest received.
Rule 3: Government agencies will reply to email eventually. For small businesses and shops, phone them in French or meet face to face as they don’t really do email as you know it.
I used the excellent resources on French-Propert.com before moving to France in order to get as clear a picture as possible as to tax liabilities, healthcare provision and other things. They were invaluable and saved me from making some mistakes.
I haven’t moved yet, but I would add that there is an excellent forum called “Survive France” full of friendly and helpful people who represent a vast resource of collective wisdom and experience… I have learned a lot of useful stuff just by hanging out here and being a pest.
To add to Jane’s helpful list…Pets (if relevant). I had no idea whatsoever ahead of our move that our two dogs would need to be registered with the ‘government’ database etc.
If you use Facebook, there are two groups that I have found very useful to join: Strictly Fiscal France and Strictly Legal France. They have some very useful guides and it is also often useful to do a search if you have a particular question so that you can read responses to other members’ questions/problems. There is also a Strictly Santé which covers health related matters but I haven’t used this one very much.
Sparing no blushes - you know who you are! - the range of experience and knowledge of SFistas is immense.
Unlike my years of reading up on life in Spain - almost all of which was useless - I did no reading about FR other than the excellent info in French Property [see above]
Advice and help from members of this forum have seen me thru’ the whole process, health, car ownership, on-line tax returns - there isn’t anything that some or many have not been thru’ and can provide guidance or even take in hand and do it for you.
Stick around on this forum and you will be well set.
If you have grandfather rights for your driving licence they are not recognised in France. If you are entitled to an S1 certificate be sure to get it in motion soon after arriving here.
), cross-check sources and ask questions, you should be all right.
