Practical

Do sit-on lawnmowers require insurance in France?

Larger gardens may require tractor-mowers to keep on top of grass

When is a CT roadworthiness test needed to sell a vehicle in France?

Motorbikes also needed a contrôle technique since April 2024

Does French App store work without a French bank card?

The process is similar for users of the Google Play Store

practical

Can France’s prime d’activité benefit boost income of self-employed?

New ‘help’ service also promises assistance to those with low means

Is appointment information automatically added to online French health space?

Documents can be found online for healthcare professionals and patients to see

How does French inheritance tax work for UK heirs?

There are many different aspects to cross-border tax issues

What is the process for wills regarding a shared holiday home in France?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

Inheritance alternatives for non-blood relatives in France

Robert Kent of Kentingtons explains the various options alongside traditional inheritance

This will be the minimum property tax increase in 2025 in France

Communes are likely to add further charges to final bills

Early detection crucial, says expert, as invasive ants plague French homes

We cover tips on how to minimise the risk of pests in your home throughout the year

Tips to avoid French ‘customs charges’ on Christmas cards and gifts

We look at what to do if you are wrongly charged

How to ensure your packages from France arrive in time for Christmas

The deadlines for delivery to the UK and US vary between different services

School holidays, tax deadlines, Notre-Dame: Key dates in France this December

Schools also begin a two-week break as the end of year approaches

US WWI soldier found in France finally buried after 20 years of research

Forensic breakthroughs and dedicated research identified Charles McAllister, who disappeared in 1918

What is changing for daily life in France this December?

A rise in fees for doctor consultations is a key change. There is also the opening of a new stretch of toll-barrier free - but paying - motorway

Is it necessary to pay a French driving fine before contesting it?

There is a time limit on contesting a fine you have received

New date set for stricter painkiller prescription rules in France

Introduction of ‘secure prescriptions’ for tramadol and codeine delayed after some pharmacists said they were not ready

Can companies refuse to send tradespeople to non-French speakers?

Refusing to provide a service to a non-French speaker may count as discrimination

Does France use ‘AI’ speed radars? What does this mean for drivers?

Changes to how radars work are set to come into force next year

Off peak hours, Linky meters: electricity and gas bills are set to change in France

Hours for cheaper electricity set to differ depending on season under new rules

How to get help with French admin from the new 'France Services' offices

Here is how to find the site nearest you as many more open around the country

Make sense of French inheritance tax

We look at effects of allowances and bands, tax treaties and the latest proposals for change

New tough tax rules apply on French holiday rentals from 2025

Short-term holiday lets are the target of a new law

Notaire fees expected to rise for home purchases in France

Local authorities set to increase fees to combat budget cuts

France’s 2024 Christmas bonus: who is eligible and how much is it?

The annual one-off payment for people on income support benefits falls on December 13

Must you remove snow in front of home in France? Rules to respect

Icicles must be removed from roofs in some cases

Mystery over how French driving fines continue to reach UK addresses

Information sharing agreements ended when Brexit came into force in 2021, but the number of fines sent across the English Channel increased in 2023

What is process for building work near a site listed as historic monument in France?

The Architectes des Bâtiments de France must approve of external renovations within 500m of a listed site

Why do some French GPs charge more than others?

The price of a consultation is rising in December - but some already bill patients at €30 instead of €26.50

Neighbour’s chimney blows smoke into our French home: what can we do?

Chimney stacks must be a certain length from nearby rooftops

Are old euro banknotes still valid in France?

A new series intended to be harder to counterfeit began circulating in 2013

Can estranged child of late-partner inherit their house in France?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal explains French intestacy rules

Why are French roundabouts so confusing?

There are actually two types with different rules

What are the rules for garage sales in France and is tax due?

Non-professionals are only permitted to sell at a limited number each year

Property slump eases in France but sellers still need to be patient

The drop in prices is steadying but the situation is not the same across the country

French eco-friendly cargo sailboats to set sail by 2026

French company raises €40million to build Cutty Sark-sized sailing vessels, promising faster, eco-friendly trans-Atlantic shipping

What are the most useful mobile apps for getting by in France?

Your phone can be your portable guidebook for restaurants, culture and travel

14 recent and upcoming changes for living in France

We cover changes to doctor's fees, speed limits and the new limited traffic zone in Paris

What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?

The exchange rate is at levels not seen since 2022 since the re-election of Donald Trump

Marathon effort boosts cancer support in France

Runners join Nice-Cannes Marathon to fund English-language cancer support services in Alpes-Maritimes

Smartphone SOS alert saves driver's life in France after crash

Crash Detection system is triggered by violent movement and sends message to emergency services

EU faces legal challenge from French lawyer over weedkiller sale decision

Corinne Lepage fighting decision to allow glyphosate to be sold in Europe for another 10 years

Child health booklets in France will be updated to include risks of screen time

Report by experts recommends banning screens for children under the age of three

Will roadworthiness tests penalise drivers in France for removing emission-limiting liquid?

AdBlue converts nitrous oxide particles, but has been criticised by drivers who believe it damaged their vehicles

Many French hospitals trial fingertip test for heart disease

Test takes 15 minutes and can detect early signs of the disease

Ignoring this increasingly common French road sign could cost you €135

New driving rule relates to areas designated a zone à trafic limité

2024 Map: see where in France road speeds are reverting to 90km/h limit

Several departments have made changes with more currently considering doing so

French study tests psychedelics in alcoholism therapy

A groundbreaking experiment explores how psilocybin can be used to combat depressive symptoms in alcohol recovery

How your pet can be a blood donor in France

Veterinary hospitals say it is crucial to treat sick cats and dogs and it is easy to sign up your pet

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

Explainer: who pays France’s CFE business tax and what exemptions?

We look at the rules around this tax, which also applies to self-employed workers

French carmarker provides solution for noisy roads

Engineers utilise vehicle noise-cancelling data to identify road noise and reduce environmental impact

Taxes, forced heirship and property ownership: Understanding French succession law

Rob Kay, a senior partner at Blevins Franks financial advice group, looks at estate planning

France's 'Livret A' savings rate set to drop

With a predicted decrease to 2.6%, experts question the viability of France's favourite tax-free savings account

Why has my French 'pension de reversion' stopped?

A pension de reversion provide widowers with a percentage of their deceased spouse's pension

Will new 'no drive' zone in central Paris affect taxi journeys?

New restrictions are in place in the city centre

Do you receive additional paid leave following a family death in France?

Additional ‘bereavement’ leave is available in some cases

Are eyesight rules for drivers the same for licence-free cars in France?

It can be advisable to get an eye test before purchasing a voiture sans permis

Free data leak: is it possible to change French bank account number?

There are different numbers associated with your bank account

Will my children’s university expenses be liable to French gift tax?

Children may still be 'attached' to their parent's residence for tax purposes whilst at university

Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?

The card is linked to your social security number, which you must apply for first

How a builder's creative tip helped me in my farmhouse renovation

Nick Inman continues with his project to restore an old farmhouse

Learning French: When do we say bonjour, bonsoir and adieu?

Understanding their crucial role in French social interactions

What you can challenge on a French taxe d’habitation bill - and how to do it

Over €700 million was erroneously collected for the property tax last year

Strikes and protests intensify in France: flights, trains and roads impacted this week

More action is also set to take place in December, including over Christmas

EU citizens have difficulty obtaining French digital health cards

The paperwork required to sign up for the service is available to residency card holders and French citizens but not to other EU residents of France

Third online bank to close amid competitive market in France

'Ma French Bank' only opened in 2019. We look at what customers need to do

I now sell my art at local French markets

Annaliza Davis explains how she started selling her paintings and what she has learned from the experience

Armistice Day films, documentaries and remembrance events to watch on French television

Includes President Macron’s visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11 as well as films and documentaries through the week

What are the documents that a landlord cannot request from a tenant in France?

Renters can refuse certain invasive demands from property owners

Properties: see what you can buy in Orne in rural France for €40,000 and €1.123m

Explore Orne's scenic routes, traditional sausages, and surprisingly affordable property market

French hospitals’ revolutionary exoskeleton enables wheelchair-bound patients to walk

The technology improves their health and independence - and may soon be available for use in homes

France identifies undeclared pools with satellite technology

A total of 100,000 properties face fines if they do not decalre their swimming pools to the tax authorities

Citroën faces backlash in France over airbag delays

Cars were recalled and drivers warned over faulty airbags

How many electric vehicle charging ports are in France and where?

Interactive maps can help drivers find available ports

Practical

Do sit-on lawnmowers require insurance in France?

When is a CT roadworthiness test needed to sell a vehicle in France?

Does French App store work without a French bank card?

Can France’s prime d’activité benefit boost income of self-employed?

Trending

Plans for how EES digital border checks will be ‘phased in’ explained

Millions in France at risk of paying more tax due to budget chaos

Ice and snow set to hit France in the coming days

Motorbike contrôle technique tests in France boycotted by most riders

Airlines told to cancel some flights to and from France due to Thursday’s public servant strikes

Early detection crucial, says expert, as invasive ants plague French homes

Notre-Dame reopening: Trump to attend and how to watch first ceremony

Is appointment information automatically added to online French health space?

How does French inheritance tax work for UK heirs?

What is the process for wills regarding a shared holiday home in France?

Inheritance alternatives for non-blood relatives in France

This will be the minimum property tax increase in 2025 in France

Early detection crucial, says expert, as invasive ants plague French homes

Tips to avoid French ‘customs charges’ on Christmas cards and gifts

How to ensure your packages from France arrive in time for Christmas

School holidays, tax deadlines, Notre-Dame: Key dates in France this December

US WWI soldier found in France finally buried after 20 years of research

Angry drivers launch court action against 50 km/h speed limit on Paris ring road

Christmas trees: Popular varieties in France and what you should expect to pay

Weighing up costs of renting a home versus buying in France

What is changing for daily life in France this December?

What are some good radio shows to learn about French culture?

What are the income rules for self-employed people coming to France?

Is Capital Gains Tax levied on land in France?

How long can someone remain outside of France before residency permit is invalid?

Big drop in state aid for electric cars in France: what is still available?

Is it necessary to pay a French driving fine before contesting it?

New date set for stricter painkiller prescription rules in France

Can companies refuse to send tradespeople to non-French speakers?

Does France use ‘AI’ speed radars? What does this mean for drivers?

Off peak hours, Linky meters: electricity and gas bills are set to change in France

How to get help with French admin from the new 'France Services' offices

Make sense of French inheritance tax

New tough tax rules apply on French holiday rentals from 2025

Notaire fees expected to rise for home purchases in France

France’s 2024 Christmas bonus: who is eligible and how much is it?

Must you remove snow in front of home in France? Rules to respect

Mystery over how French driving fines continue to reach UK addresses

What is process for building work near a site listed as historic monument in France?

Why do some French GPs charge more than others?

Neighbour’s chimney blows smoke into our French home: what can we do?

Are old euro banknotes still valid in France?

Can estranged child of late-partner inherit their house in France?

Why are French roundabouts so confusing?

What are the rules for garage sales in France and is tax due?

Property slump eases in France but sellers still need to be patient

French eco-friendly cargo sailboats to set sail by 2026

What are the most useful mobile apps for getting by in France?

14 recent and upcoming changes for living in France

What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?

Marathon effort boosts cancer support in France

Smartphone SOS alert saves driver's life in France after crash

EU faces legal challenge from French lawyer over weedkiller sale decision

Child health booklets in France will be updated to include risks of screen time

Will roadworthiness tests penalise drivers in France for removing emission-limiting liquid?

Many French hospitals trial fingertip test for heart disease

Ignoring this increasingly common French road sign could cost you €135

2024 Map: see where in France road speeds are reverting to 90km/h limit

French study tests psychedelics in alcoholism therapy

How your pet can be a blood donor in France

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Explainer: who pays France’s CFE business tax and what exemptions?

French carmarker provides solution for noisy roads

Taxes, forced heirship and property ownership: Understanding French succession law

France's 'Livret A' savings rate set to drop

Why has my French 'pension de reversion' stopped?

Will new 'no drive' zone in central Paris affect taxi journeys?

Do you receive additional paid leave following a family death in France?

Are eyesight rules for drivers the same for licence-free cars in France?

Free data leak: is it possible to change French bank account number?

Will my children’s university expenses be liable to French gift tax?

Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?

How a builder's creative tip helped me in my farmhouse renovation

Learning French: When do we say bonjour, bonsoir and adieu?