Your Questions

Do you have a question about life in France? Email our man in the know, Oliver Rowland, at news@connexionfrance.com

Why can I not cancel health policy with a month’s notice?

My health mutuelle provider says I cannot cancel with a month’s notice but need to wait until the anniversary date. Do mutuelles not come under the same rules as other contracts which you can cancel with a month’s notice? J.G.

French law inheritance arrangements?

My wife and I are British residents who own a holiday flat in southern France which we have not included in wills drawn up in England. We assume, by default, French inheritance rules will apply to this property after our deaths. If that is the case, our two daughters should inherit but we want our only grandchild to inherit instead. Can we make such arrangements entirely within French law?

Junk mail at French second-home

I get a lot of junk mail at my second home. Is there anything I can do?

Insurance for house-sitters for my French home?

If I allow house-sitters to live in my house out of season, are there any tax/insurance implications?

Turning off telephone service when not in France

For many years we have been using Orange for our internet and home landline. As we are only in France for the summer, they allowed us to turn off the service when we were not there and restore it when we returned, so we only paid for three months a year. Now it is stopping, are there alternatives?

Why do the French buy so much UHT milk, not fresh?

Why do French people prefer UHT milk to fresh milk? J.G.

Why are calls to mobiles cheaper?

My French mobile phone company has reduced the cost of calls to UK mobiles. Is this due to an EU law? G.S.

Do I have to renew my French driving licence?

I am confused about whether I need to renew my French permis de conduire (driving licence). It was issued on December 1, 2014, and the face of the card says it expires on December 1, 2019. The reverse shows no expiry in column 11 for category B – a car. Should I renew it or not? G.W.

French computer keyboards to change - what is Bépo?

I have heard French keyboards are changing but now there is talk of something called Bépo – what is it? D.W.

Can I get grant for new fosse at French home?

We need to replace our fosse septique. Is it possible to get a grant for all or part of the work? M.J.

Can an Irish early-retiree join Puma?

I am a retired Irish citizen and will be retiring to France – I’m an ‘early retiree’ so don’t have a state pension or S1 form yet. Will I be able to join the French Puma healthcare system? H.S.

Loi Madelin policies for the self-employed in France?

What are the Loi Madelin insurance policies for the self-employed?

Can I insure for car rental excess in France?

Are there firms which insure French residents for the excess on car rental insurance in France? J.H.

What are French SCI's benefits?

As a married couple, are there inheritance planning advantages to buying a home through an SCI property company? R.C.

What if I go over French VAT threshold this year?

I am a micro-entrepreneur and am going to go over the limit this year when I must start charging VAT. Does that mean I must charge VAT retrospectively to all my clients from the start of the year? L.D.

Effects of taking French nationality

We are British and live in France. Will our inheritance or tax status change if we take French nationality? G.R.

Topping up UK pension from France

Is it still possible to top up a UK state pension while living in France? I have heard it has changed and will Brexit affect this? P.W.

Working for foreign firm in France

A firm in Italy wants to employ me working from home in France. Is it possible? H.E.

Cartes de séjour do you get answer immediately?

I have a carte de séjour interview coming up shortly. Is it right that in any “usual” case the applicant receives an answer there and then? M.W.

What will happen to circus animals?

What happens to the animals if circuses with animal acts are banned? And what about those who work with them? Is there any compensation? T.K.

Where can I sit a language test to become French?

How do I find out where to sit a French language test to include in a nationality application? I was trying to find a centre in which to take the DELF test. C.P.

Can French taxi drivers refuse card payments?

Can a taxi refuse a payment by bank card? One recently insisted on taking me to a bank machine to take out cash. A.D.

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