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.

Am I insured if dog bites someone?

If my dog bites someone, am I covered on my household insurance? F.W.

Can I renegotiate a French 'prêt viager' rate?

Can you renegotiate equity release loan rates if levels drop? J.B.

What criteria for reduced French 'taxe foncière'?

WHAT are the criteria to benefit from a reduction or exemption from the taxe foncière? G.S.

Has state reimbursement of hearing aids improved?

I understand that the reimbursement of hearing aids is due to improve this year – has it happened yet? L.B.

Getting fibre broadband at my French home complicated

I am keen to get fibre broadband as soon as possible but there seem to be obstacles in my way! I am told Orange is installing fibre in my road but that I cannot get access using my existing supplier. A friend lives in an apartment and has been told she cannot use the company of her choice. It seems unnecessarily complicated – can you give some insight? I.F.

Why did Portuguese come to France?

Why are there so many Portuguese people in France? P.S.

Can Britons travel in Schengen?

With Brexit approaching, can Britons still travel around the Schengen area with a British passport? Can residents in France use a carte de séjour? R.C.

French social charges on UK pensions

My wife and I, both 76, were charged social charges last year.

Paying tax in France AND in the UK

My UK government (teacher’s) pension and my UK state pension are both taxed in the UK at source.

Do I meet ‘modest’ income rule?

I have learned that householders do not have to pay taxe foncière after 75 and can be entitled to a reduction after the age of 65 if their income is “modest”.

What is my micro earning limit?

What is the limit that I may now earn as a micro-entrepreneur?

Will charity pay tax on my gift if I make a bequest?

If I wish to leave a gift in my will to a cause such as a cancer support association or a church, what tax will be deducted when the gift is payable? N.H.

Brexit and second-homes in France: What changes?

Would anything be expected to change in terms of buying a French second home for a British person after Brexit, either in a deal or no-deal scenario, as to actual rights to buy in France and the formalities involved?

Energy evaluation before selling French property

We are selling our property and have been told we must have an energy evaluation carried out. It’s an old property and we have not upgraded insulation – will we have to make changes following this evaluation to be able to sell it

Declaring UK bank accounts when living in France

I read in Connexion that there are severe penalties for not declaring foreign bank accounts as part of your annual tax declaration. We live in France and make our declarations here including all interest paid on our UK accounts / investments. However we hold a current account with a UK bank with no interest payable. Do we need to also declare this?

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