HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

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How can I find out who the owner of a property is in France?

There are a few methods you can use to ascertain ownership

Will we have to pay back any of the French Aspa pension top-up money we have received?

Benefit can become repayable after a recipient’s death

Does the French 2021 forced heirship law apply to non-residents’ second homes?

Whether it is applicable depends on the family situation

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Are French speed limits lower when it is raining? How severe must weather be?

Several weather conditions affect maximum speeds in France

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Is insurance from a GHIC health card sufficient for visiting second home in France?

Health cards provide ‘medically necessary’ coverage

Are there exemptions for customs duties when importing a car to France from outside the EU?

Some UK cars are exempt based on where parts originate

Can adult children be held responsible for the debts of their parents in France?

If the mother or father has died the situation can be complex

Why am I suddenly being charged withholding tax in France?

Upcoming instalments can be viewed through personal space of French tax site

Are new UK pet passports being introduced? Will they be accepted in France?

UK made easier pet travel one aim of talks earlier this year

Does registered mail in France come with insurance? La Poste lost €1,000 package

Complaints can be taken to postal ombudsman

Which country's law should we use for our will in France?

Reader wishes to bequeath estate to stepson

Is health insurance required to return to visit England from France?

Certain health access remains free at the point of use for all

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

Columnist Cynthia Spillman provides some useful advice on getting behind the wheel

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

Richard and Patricia Romain, both 76, moved from Kent, UK, in 2013 and now live near Carcassonne in Aude

Can power of attorney be given to sell French home while abroad?

Several regulations were relaxed during the pandemic

What do I need to do if my partner dies when we are at our second home in France?

Several steps must usually be taken in first 24 hours

Can I contest a failed roadworthiness test in France?

All test centres work with a mediator to resolve disputes

Can you check if someone has made a will in France?

A national will register can be consulted by anyone providing certain information is given

Can I take my small pot pension from the UK early while living in France?

The UK has specific rules relating to pensions worth no more than €10,000

What to do when family or friends need help while you are in France

Assisting loved ones means setting boundaries, says columnist Cynthia Spillman

My husband is far too fussy with French food

Columnist Cynthia Spillman on how to encourage more adventure in culinary matters

Can I make a complaint about my neighbour’s poultry farm in France?

It is legal to raise some poultry in your backyard with minimal regulations

Are UK NI top-ups tax deductible in France?

UK pension 'top-ups' can be worthwhile

Inheritance in France: do stepchildren have rights after divorce? - Partner article

It is possible to leave everything to your own children but rules vary depending on the family situation

How can I find a doctor who will accept my Ghic card in France?

The cards help visitors receive ‘medically necessary treatment’

What is an FPS parking fine in France and how can it be contested?

Parking fines have a three-month payment deadline

I'm not confident enough with my language skills for French interviews

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on how to get to grips with learning

What are the proposed changes to child allowance rules in France?

Over two million families could see a change to their allocations familiales if measure is approved

Why are mutuelle and French health insurance not sharing information?

Automatic sharing of information between insurers is common

Neighbour of French home has camera recording our garden – what can we do?

Installation of security equipment recording private areas can infringe privacy

Do we need permission to install pond in garden at French home?

Several planning and environmental factors must be taken into account

Why are authorities asking about our address to join French social security?

Short-term rentals are not always accepted as valid proof of time spent in France

Can I install a small structure for work use on my land in France? - Partner article

'Garden shed tax' can be levied in certain circumstances

How is capital gains tax calculated for en viager properties in France?

Amount is calculated taking account of both increase in value and ongoing 'rent' income

Is there a place to find your ‘correct’ French address?

Thousands of rural addresses were changed last year

Is it possible to rent equipment in France for land clearance?

Mandatory undergrowth clearance should be done before start of summer

Can UK travellers get French health insurance?

Many travellers will have British 'GHIC' healthcards

How do I stop post piling up at French second home?

It is possible to pay to have mail redirected, including internationally

What is ‘bridging insurance’ for non-French vehicles?

Vehicles being relocated to France require temporary insurance if not covered by domestic policy

EES rules in France: How are spouses of EU citizens affected?

New system comes into force on October 12

How to manage tricky family visits after moving to France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares tips on how to cope with challenging visitors

Is it worth getting breakdown cover in France?

This can be an optional extra if not already provided in insurance policy

How do French capital gains rules apply to a rental property?

Designated usage is important factor in tax calculation

Neighbour’s dog in France bit ours leading to vet bills: who must pay?

Canine bites to humans must be reported to mairie

How do we provide proof of non-tax residency in France?

It is important to ensure you are not taxed twice under double tax treaty rule

How can I check my car is registered for French barrier-free motorway tolls?

Several barrier-free motorway péages now exist in France

I received a health certificate from French immigration office – what should I do with it?

Some people moving to France require a medical check

Brexit card renewals in France: which prefectures have already set up websites?

Calvados, Lot and Dordogne are among the areas where British residents can use new simple procedure

Renting out a furnished holiday let in France: what you need to declare

Here are the key steps involved - including making contact with the local marie

What are the rules for correct French email etiquette?

Written and electronic communication can sometimes differ

Is it possible to receive a French pension and hold an S1?

This is a common situation for people who have worked both in France and in the UK

What taxes are collected on a rented out second home in France?

Taxe d'habitation applies to all housing not used as a main residence

Can new arrivals in France insure vehicle on foreign licence?

Insurers should bear in mind validity rules for different countries’ licences

Can you remain in France on 90/180 days quota after six-month stay is up?

American citizens benefit from short-stay visa access to bloc without needing a visa

It frustrates me that my parents do not want to learn French when they visit

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader living in France on parental education

Explained: How to go to a French university as an overseas student

Final submission deadlines are in December-January to start in the following autumn

Which gifts are liable for tax in France?

Gifts can be declared through your online tax space

Are older drivers in France required to take a medical test for licence renewal?

Recent EU vote and MP proposals have caused confusion

Is adult whooping cough vaccine in France covered by social security?

France’s vaccine calendar outlines expected top-ups

I hate it when the French get my name wrong

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who is frustrated by mispronunciation

Partner article: Does a property need to be cleared out before being sold in France?

The list of what has to remain is specific to each property

How do bailiffs organise their work in France?

Commissaires de justice have a range of activities

Who pays French property tax following shared house inheritance?

People with a lifetime right to use a house are usually responsible for paying

Do you need a permit to own a tortoise in France?

Boom in tortoise trade in 1970s and 1980s led to strict regulations

French holiday rental property energy rating requirements to change

Other changes including some related to tax also come into force

Speed cameras in France: how far from warning signs are they?

The authorities use these signs to inform drivers they are approaching a speed camera

An opportunity for my partner means embracing change in my life in France

Cynthia Spillman confronts a fresh world, as her husband has a chance to get back in the game

Can medicine be shipped to France from overseas?

It is easier to bring medicine for personal use through border yourself

Does holiday home in France need specific insurance?

Second homes can often be added to existing policies

Must VLS-TS visa holders become French residents?

Certain visas need to be validated soon after arriving in France

Entry/Exit System: Is proof of health insurance required for travel to France?

Recent media reports - as well as Reform UK’s Nigel Farage - claim this is the case

French school year 2025-2026: the changes that await pupils

Reforms on how French and mathematics are taught as well as expanded sexual education, stricter rules for mobile phones and more

How does the 30% allowance for rental income in France really work?

There are two situations where there are rules on a 30% allowance

Can British classic car be registered in France?

There are both benefits and restrictions to registration as a véhicule de collection

Can you negotiate an estate agent’s commission in France?

Agency fees can be paid by either the buyer or the seller