Moving to france

Seven tips to help you integrate in France

From grappling with paperwork to channelling the French joie de vivre, we look at the best ways to fit into life in France

‘Our glittering straw home lets us retire in France on small pensions’

Cardamom in the plaster and a ‘glitterball’ wall - the couple who built a low-bills house from straw bales fill it with quirky ideas

Retiring to Spain or France: what are the main differences?

France and Spain are two of the biggest retirement destinations in Europe. We look at how do they compare, from property prices and cost of living to healthcare and language learning

I moved to France and became an English translator by accident

A letter to a magazine editor in 1997 complaining about its poor translation led to a job offer to do better

Two Americans moved to France 50 years apart - what has changed?

We speak to two US natives now living in Paris about their expatriate experience

Which French cities/areas have the best healthcare?

Areas with larger populations generally have better care and a wider variety of services

Career change: Africa safari guide to recycled art in France

We talk to Josie Easton about how wildlife still influences her ‘trash-to-treasure’ artwork in Limousin

Do you agree? American Dream overrated when compared to France

Columnist Nick Inman explores the existence of the French Dream and how it differs to its American counterpart

Peanut butter sales soar in France as Americans ‘crave’ taste of home

The number of US citizens moving to France has tripled since the pandemic and sales of peanut butter have followed

Number of Americans moving to France triples

Trump election, gun safety and healthcare cited by Americans choosing France over US

What Americans notice when they move to France

Four US citizens in France explain what they have discovered about life here (apart from struggles with bureaucracy)

‘I got a French master’s degree based on my professional experience’

A senior manager, originally from Italy, explains how he converted real-life experience into a recognised VAE qualification

Moving to France: six ways to deal with guilt over family back home

It is normal to feel guilty about leaving relatives but it does not have to cloud your new French life

Can my British mother come live with us in France?

British residents with a withdrawal agreement card in France can bring over a parent to live with them in specific situations

How do you validate a VLS-TS visa when coming to France?

We look at what you must do if you intend to stay permanently in France

Are retirees asked to undergo a medical when moving to France?

We look at who the French Office for Integration and Immigration requires to take a medical and what happens if problems are found

French property watch: Why buy in Landes and what prices to expect

Coastal areas have developed into a holiday and retirement playground but you can still find bargains inland

Explainer: How to bring family to live with you in France post-Brexit

Non-EU citizens can move to France with family – we look at the visas and cartes de séjour that will be needed

Former schoolhouse makes quirky French home for US family

The family have yet to convert the old classroom but currently live in the adjacent former mayor’s office

‘€8,000 barge in France gave us an off-grid retirement’

A British couple talk through their DIY conversion of an old working boat into a cosy floating home on the Canal du Midi

Building a house in France solves wrong home, right location conundrum

A reader explains how a new-build on her existing plot has let her carry on living in the Dordogne village she loves

Eight tips to get retirement in France off to a flying financial start

Partner article: Rob Kay from Blevins Franks guides you through the tax, pensions, savings, investment and estate planning issues to tackle early on

Quirky French property brings history buffs knocking

How a 19th-century steam pump house pulled at the heartstrings of a British couple – and attracts the attention of complete strangers too

Customs, paperwork: How can I get help relocating from UK to France?

Since Brexit, there have been significant changes to consider when moving between the two countries

‘We sailed to France on a barge and took our time house hunting’

Moving to France on their own boat took the pressure off finding a perfect home for this UK couple

Career change: from barber to representing France with luxury woodwork

Mark Collett, 56, explains how he swapped his converted bus hair salon to work with wood like his father and grandfather

'We wanted a small bolthole but bought a ruined French chateau'

Australian couple say they have no regrets for their impulse buy

Newcomers should follow French vaccination schedule for these diseases

Are you up to date with these other booster jabs recommended for people living in France?

Odd guests and bad reviews - eight tips to running a B&B in France

We spoke to a Danish couple who moved to France for a quiet life but started a five-star ‘chambres d’hôtes’ instead

The Londoners who ‘fell into the trap’ of buying a big French property

Initially seduced by property prices in France, the couple have downsized three times

Forever home? We have moved four times in France to suit our lifestyle

Christine Frost shares her experience of moving home four times within 5km as her family and passion for gardening grew

Painting chateau shutters helped owners integrate into French village

Felling a diseased tree sealed their acceptance by villagers after years of renovation and isolation - the Martinesz-Pugh family share their experience of moving to France

Six common pitfalls financial experts see when people move to France

Partner article: Thousands of people move to France every year, so it is best to learn from their mistakes, says Kentingtons financial expert Christopher Davenport

Reader experience: Buying a used car with French hand holding service

Peter Buckley knew what he wanted from a second-hand car but needed expert help to find it, check it and buy it. He shares his review of a support service in France

Moving to new home during lockdown in France

Reader question: We bought a house in France on April 6 (via power of attorney) and believe we have the right to move for two reasons: 1) Our lease expired in our rented property on April 7 and 2) Our new home is empty and unsecured.

France lockdown: Can I move home from the UK to France?

Yes, if you are moving to what will become your main residence. You must have the right paperwork and follow Covid-19 guidelines in both countries

Can I move permanently to France from UK under Covid rules?

A combination of Covid-19 and Brexit means that moving to France from the UK right now is complicated

Britons wanting to work in France: Check visa application carefully

For Britons not holding (or expecting to hold) a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residency card, the visa you apply for must be appropriate for your working plans

Counting my blessings helps keep my love affair with France

Do you remember what drew you to move here or is it lost in the everyday?

'Covid showed us that city life in France has its drawbacks'

In a new six-part series, we speak to people whose property priorities have changed dramatically since moving to France

‘Starting my British kids at a French school was hard but worth it’

Veryan Young tells The Connexion about the challenges and advantages of raising kids bilingually in France

Removals firms facing new rules post-Brexit

New rules mean removals to a second home in France will be more complicated than as part of making France your permanent residence

France coronavirus lockdown: Can I still move house?

The rules and regulations about moving house in France during the second coronavirus lockdown

Don’t rush into a Brexit exit, says Robert Kent

Robert Kent of Kentingtons explains why a Brexit exit should not be rushed, but rather worked out slowly and carefully.

New reason for travel over 100km in France

A new reason has been added to the obligatory form for travel over 100km: to allow people to move to a new home.

Costly lessons of living in France

Michael Delahaye and his wife Anni have moved to France not once but twice – first from the UK, then from Australia. Now they are back in Australia. He explains why they’ve left again…

Opinion: Shame to 'means test' French dream

Moving to France used to involve more hurdles than it does now. Journalist SAMANTHA DAVID hopes it does not become just an option for the well-off.

Cut cost of moving house in France

Moving house is expensive – and just one million people out of the three million who move each year use a professional removals company.

Formalities on coming to France

We moved to France last year. We have paid taxes ( foncière and habitation ) and now are wondering about formalities to complete for income tax. Can we declare online? Do we have to visit the tax office? We are both retired and only receive a UK state pension paid in the UK. N.S.

Au revoir, Normandy, and thanks for the good times

Need some last-minute help moving house? You just have to ask your neighbours, says writer Sally-Ann Voak

Best way to transfer money from UK to France

My husband and I have decided to bite the bullet and move to France now in case residency rules become more difficult. Our house in the UK is on the market and we are hunting in France. What is the best way to bring funds over?

Helping a loved one after moving to France

Moving to France brings many changes, not least to family relationships which will evolve with distance... but for some, such as Jill Foxley, the desire to help care for a loved one means long-range challenges

Are there reductions for senior citizens in France?

We want to retire to France but would like to know: does France give reductions for “seniors” who live there? If so, would we be included if we are not French? L.D.

Financial planning for expat retirees in France

If you have recently retired, you are entering a new and exciting phase in your life. While some people worry that retirement will be boring, I know plenty who embrace the freedom it gives. And I’m willing to bet that, if you’ve chosen to retire in France, you fall into the latter category.

The best way to furnish your property in France

Sponsored feature: Furniture for France is now in its fifteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France.

Box clever and arrange for delivery of UK purchases

Watson European are expanding their current service of removals and storage to include the delivery of packing materials to your door.

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.

Our story: retirement in Brittany

Mark Bennett from the Morbihan department tells us how retirement in Britanny brought lots of pleasure but difficult challenges

Our story: Living the Dordogne dream

Vanessa Howard and William McDonald moved to France in 2017 and talk about life in Dordogne

Our story: Rugby brings Kiwi family to Grenoble

Names: Johnny (40) and Jaimee (39) Claxton and Mackai (eight), Carlos (six) and Lily (14 months). Mrs Claxton answered our questions.

Our story: moving to Aveyron from the UK

Oliver Ellis and Lucy Ellis-Howell tell us how their yoga retreat has its natural home in Aveyron

Moving to France? Don't ignore your finances

France is beautiful any time of year (well, except perhaps in the pouring rain) but it is the summer that attracts most visitors, many of whom fall in love with the country and start dreaming of buying a holiday home or moving over permanently. If you are at the planning stages of a move, or seriously considering it, this article looks at the various financial planning elements you need to look at. The earlier you start the better, as there may be some decisions you need to take before leaving the UK or buying property in France. The same applies if you are leaving France to return to the UK. Early planning can present tax-efficient opportunities that may be lost if you wait until you have changed residency.

Considering exchange rates for buying French property

I am hoping to purchase a property in France in the next six months. What should I consider regarding exchange rates? F.M.

Transferring money internationally without high fees

I have a UK private pension that is paid into a bank account in Britain and I want to move the money to France every month, how can I make sure that I do not lose too much in transfer fees?

Moving to France: the Smith family tells their story

Alan (58) and Anna Smith (44) decided to leave their home in Oundle, near Peterborough, and move to France in December 2016. Along with their two daughters Jessica (13) and Lucy (10), they were determined to fulfil their dream of owning some land and enjoying a more relaxed way of life.