Marriages and the French ‘regimes’

Marriages in France are civil

In France, a marriage is first and foremost a civil matter, with the legally binding part of the ceremony taking place at the mairie (town hall). A religious ceremony is entirely optional and has no legal effect.

All marriages, including those contracted abroad, are governed by a ‘marriage regime’, which determines how property is owned and what happens to it in the event of divorce or death.

For most UK marriages, the regime is broadly similar to the French séparation de biens, meaning each spouse generally owns what they purchased or were given. For guidance on these matters, a notaire is usually the main point of contact. You can search the directory by language spoken to find one able to advise in English.

How UK marriages are recognised

A UK marriage is recognised in France. To prove your marriage for administrative purposes, you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate. It must be apostilled by the UK authorities (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and translated into French by a traducteur assermenté (sworn translator).

How a UK marriage affects life in France

A legally recognised marriage in France can provide certain benefits, such as:

• Inheritance protections

• Tax advantages if you file jointly as French tax residents

However, for healthcare access, what matters is your individual residency status, not your marital status.

For immigration purposes, each spouse must apply individually for their own visa. Applications can be grouped in the system so that processing occurs at the same time, but each person’s application remains separate.