Can I leave money to charities helping Britons in France?

To avoid issues, it is better to opt for France based charities

For a charity to receive your gift without complications it is best for it to be French-based
Liv Rowland
Published Last updated

Reader question: I wish to leave money to charities helping Britons in France, such as for ex-service-people, Alzheimer’s or people in need (rather than animal charities). Can you suggest some? D.F.

For a charity to receive your gift without complications it is best for it to be French-based and able to meet the required criteria of being non-profit-making, socially useful, run without self-interest and not for a highly ‘restricted circle’ of people.

Read more:Managing one of France’s biggest charities ‘makes life worth living’

This will be the case for ‘general interest’ associations carrying out social, humanitarian and scientific work, ones whose main aim relates to ‘good works’ or medical research as well as associations or foundations recognised as d’utilité publique.

The kind of charities you are considering will often be able to receive gifts free of inheritance tax, though this is not the case for all associations, so you may wish to check directly first with them.

You may also wish to consult a notaire as to how to word your will bearing in mind, if relevant, French rules on children’s rights, should you plan to leave larger sums.

Suitable charities include Cancer Support France (cancersupportfrance.org), The British Charitable Fund Paris (britishcharitablefundparis.org) and the Royal British Legion in France (rblfrance.org).

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