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.

Selling business - how to reassure buyers

We are selling our language centre but it needs to be run by English-speakers. How can we reassure potential buyers as to their status in France after Brexit? T.W.

What are a mayor’s ‘police powers’?

In a recent edition you mention the ‘police powers’ of a mayor. What does this refer to? P.W.

What are the rules about burning waste in a bonfire?

Can you create a bonfire to burn waste in your garden? Do the rules vary from department to department? D.B.

Procedure for re-registering a car in France

I bought a car abroad in the EU and need to re-register it in France. What papers are needed and how do I do this? A.G.

Which protection against power surges during storms?

Lightning and power surges during storms damaged my modem and phone this summer as well as my line which needed repairs. What can I do to avoid this?

How to get a French social security number

My daughter wants to come from the UK and find employment. How can she get a social security number? J.D.

Where do I declare rent income?

As UK nationals who are tax resident in France, in which country should we declare and pay tax on rental income from a property outside the EU paid by the tenants into our UK bank account? P.H.

How to stop local tax payments

I sold a holiday house in France in March last year but monthly direct debits for local property taxes are still being taken. How can I stop this? C.S.

Is any tax payable on gift of French holiday home?

My father, a UK resident, bought a French holiday home in 1998 for 60,000FF. He formally gifted it to me in 2006. My siblings received gifts in the UK to compensate. My father held no other assets in France. He died this year. Does his estate owe any taxes in France in relation to this gift? R.H.

Stamp duty on UK purchase

As a French resident living in rented accommodation in France, owning no property either in France or the UK, what stamp duty is payable should I buy a property in the UK? Would I be liable for the increased level that foreign purchasers must pay? C.M.

Brexit and government pensions

There must be many retired people in France who have government occupational pensions (teachers, police etc). Currently these have to be taxed in the UK and not in France. In the event that S1 healthcare cover is withdrawn for UK pensioners in France after Brexit would the UK government allow these pensions to be taxed in France so we would automatically become part of the healthcare system? A.M.

Can I run my French business from UK?

Having recently registered as micro-entrepreneur I am planning to move to the UK. Can I maintain this business set-up while having UK residency? C.C.

Is arthritis treatment 100% reimbursed in France?

I am retired and planning to take up residency in France. I have been taking an expensive medication (adalimumab) for psoriatic arthritis from the NHS and am concerned about the cost in France. I am not clear whether it is on the ALD (100% no payment) list. C.M.

Rules for camping in the wild in France

Are there any restrictions related to camping in the wild in France? Anything we should be aware of? G.B.

Is sister’s British will valid in France?

My sister has died and has left a will in English and set out according to English formalities; signed and witnessed. It was not lodged with a notaire. Is it legal? S.B.

Is there a fee to link home to electricity in France?

I am interested in buying a property I’ve seen in France but it has no electrics. Is there a set price for running power to a house from the supply in an adjoining road? D.J.

Turned down for cheap insulation offer in France

I visited a website offering ‘insulation for €1’ but they said I am not eligible because my department is not in ‘Zone H1’. This is not fair. M.C.

What must you consider to bring a horse in to France?

An English friend is planning to move to France and wants to bring her horse with her. What rules are involved? C.S.

Will Brexit affect time I can spend in France?

We have homes in the UK and France and enjoy being able to move between the two. As retirement approaches we would like to spend most of the year in France but will Brexit effect how much time we can spend there and will we need visas? Will it help if we apply for a carte de séjour? B.I.

Where are unmarked camera cars in use?

I read that there are private, unmarked cars with onboard speed radars in use in France. Where are they in use and are there warning signs? Will you know if you are ‘flashed’? D.T.

Natural remedies help against harmful caterpillars?

I have had a problem with pyrale du buis caterpillars as they attacked several hedges in my garden. Are there any natural methods I can use against them? V.T.

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