Updates: French language tests, moving back to UK and votes for life

Moving back to the UK

People with residency cards in France who move home usually have to notify the change of address to their prefecture via a website. 

We asked the interior ministry if a person with a Brexit With­drawal Agreement card going back to live in the UK has to notify anyone, and the answer was no.

You must, however, notify other authorities, such as your Cpam, bank and the tax office, and take note of your tax declaration responsibilities in the future.

Read more: How do I change the address on my French carte de séjour?

Language tests for residency card

A reader asked if the new French immigration law, which toughens language requirements for many residency cards, has removed the rule that over-65s are exempt from having to prove their skills for a carte de résident, or carte de résident de longue durée UE. 

The La Cimade immigrants’ rights association confirmed that, no, it remains and is one of the few exceptions. 

The association has concerns over the practicability of the law, citing a lack of places at language school and examination centres.

Read more: French language tests harden: what changes and how to know your level

UK ‘votes for life’ registrations

Voter registrations by Britons abroad are slowing since an initial spike when more than 6,000 applied on January 16, the first day of ‘votes for life’.

This was the historic day when, for the first time, all Britons living overseas who have ever lived in the UK obtained the right to vote – previously, it was lost after 15 years abroad. 

An estimated two million extra people obtained/regained the right to vote on that day.

However, only 7,487 applied to be registered on the government website between April 1 and 19, and daily numbers are trailing at around 300, apart from a spike of 1,750 on April 16.

In total, 54,849 new applications have been made. Added to an estimated 80,000 who were already registered, this is 134,849, far fewer than the record of 285,000 in 2017.

A general election is expected this year, with the polls tipping Labour to win. 

The party has not historically supported a lifetime vote for Britons abroad, though it has not said it will reverse it.

Read more: 3.5m Britons abroad urged to register to vote in UK elections