HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Sq

I had no debits taken for French residential tax - what should I do?

Amounts taken depend on how much, and when, you are scheduled to pay

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares her advice for commemorating loved ones

I have received a second-home tax bill for my main home in France - what should I do?

Ensure the tax office has the correct personal details

practical

How can I help my child to integrate in France?

Children tend to pick up languages quicker than adults

Trending

Is buying or renting property better in France?

Large variations in the respective costs exist between different regions

How can residents complete French census if abroad at the time?

Millions required to complete census across next month

Can I leave my bin outside if it is not a collection day in France?

Communes set local collection days that vary depending on location

How can I protect my second home in France from mice while I am away?

Pests can enter homes at any period

US special needs trusts and the law in France

French legal system treats trusts rather sceptically

French mairie offers ‘civil baptisms’ - what are they?

France offers several secular alternatives to religious ceremonies

When my husband dies will I lose access to healthcare in France through his S1?

Settled residents in France can access healthcare through 'Puma' system

Is French ‘malus’ tax being applied to second-hand cars?

Change was included in 2025 budget law

Why was passport stamped when entering France?

EES began rollout in October

Can I ask for branded medicine instead of generic at a French pharmacy?

Non-brand drugs are generally cheaper but contain similar ingredients

What savings can you make with an heures creuses electricity contract?

Off-peak hours are soon set to change

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on improving security

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

EES, ETIAS and ETA: Which of these impact residents of France?

Systems have confusingly similar acronyms

Spending time in UK on a French Brexit card: what are the tax implications?

Tax residency and right to live in France are two separate issues

I want to sell French house but siblings do not: what can I do?

Buying siblings out may be possible

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

Several regulations were relaxed during the pandemic

My French pensions never go up. How can I check if they are correct?

Increases will not be more than the average rise in salaries

Can I ask French police to check on my home when away in winter?

Rules are different for main and second homes

I became a published psychic medium after moving to France

Reader Claudia Amendola Alzraa, 37, explains how she found her calling

Why I love where I live... on Réunion island

Reader Barry Kacher, 65, moved to France from the UK for work in 1982. Since then he has settled on France's overseas department in the Indian Ocean

What are the rules on metal detecting in France?

Focus on protecting potential archaeological finds means lack of clarity for amateurs

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