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What happens if elderly parent living with us in France survives us?

It is worth discussing this with other close family members who might be able to help if necessary

Worker using a power drill to demolish an interior wall seen through a hole

Renovating a house in France: the key mistakes to avoid

British architect based in France shares his tips for restoring homes

Where can I find an Asian hornet trap in France if my mairie will not give me one?

When local support is unavailable, there are still practical alternatives

practical

Can speed cameras in France check if a car is insured?

Discover how automated road systems actually work in practice

When must I update French address on ‘Brexit’ card?

Online portal is available for requesting a change

A couple calculating taxes in their living room

How long should French bank statements be kept?

Documents can be used as proof in cases of disagreement

A man clearing excess vegetation in a garden

Can I get a tax reduction for employing gardener at second home in France?

Rebate is available to people who employ someone to work at their home via the Cesu system

Do French supermarkets offer home delivery services?

Rural areas may see reduced coverage

Can we rent out second SCI home in France?

Short-term furnished rentals via the scheme can create significant tax risks

Is there a work requirement for French citizenship applications?

There are two main paths to citizenship

Close-up of a hand holding a British passport with gold crest on the cover.

Are Britons facing delays at French airports due to ETA?

Travel authorisation to enter UK is digitally linked to passports

Must UK authorities be informed if we bring back car from France on visit?

Vehicles should be registered in the country where they are kept

Will my licence be suspended if I use my phone for GPS in France?

We look at how enforcement of latest rules is being applied in practice

Are people fined for public urination in France?

There are specific nationwide laws against the practice

How long can you leave a car parked on the street in France?

Larger towns and cities often have strict by-laws

What is the difference between assurance vie and assurance décès in France?

French financial products serve very different purposes

Cropped,Photo,Of,Happy,Pensioner,Grandmother,Elderly,Patient,With,Walking

How to find help after hospitalisation in France

Prado is designed to bridge the gap between inpatient care and independent living

Are ‘malus’ taxes refunded by insurance if new car is stolen?

Government taxes can add tens of thousands of euros on top of new vehicle cost

Are dual passport holders impacted by EES or UK ETA?

Both passports should be carried and used at respective border points

Should I be charged for sending money from UK bank to France?

Standard rule for SEPA transfers is that they are free of charges

Does equity release lower IFI wealth tax in France?

Reader also asks if properties rented out to someone else are exempt

Should we move away from oil-fired heat in France?

Modern condensing boilers are generally considered high-efficiency

Person walking a golden dog on a lead along a sunlit dirt path in the countryside.

Why do so many French pet names start with the same letter?

Naming traditions are used by breeders to simplify registration

Four men with instruments pose around a classic white car outside an old stone building.

How joining a band can build your community in France

16% of citizens play an instrument ‘often’ or ‘from time to time’

A view of a number plate showing the ‘F’ for France sign

Do old French number plates need updating?

France overhauled its vehicle registration system in 2009

Explained: the protection juridique included in French insurance contracts

The French legal protection system can help mitigate the financial impact of court hearings

Judy and Dave Kashoff, whose journey inspired her book Five, Ten, or Never

'I moved to France and wrote my first book'

These Connexion readers have put pen to paper since moving to France

Are there English-language health helplines in France?

The CPAM state healthcare refunds service offers an English-speaking number

Selling a home in France: what should I tell the utility companies?

The transfer of utilities is a separate task from the notarial sale process

Dealing with wills in France: should we have more than one?

Having a UK will for UK assets only and then leaving intestacy laws to deal with the French side is not necessarily advisable

Is there issue with French passport machines reading US passports?

Some passport owners report difficulties with chip being read

How do landlords register an Airbnb let with French commune?

New system requires all mairies to give tourist rentals a number

Air heat pump in a garden by a modern house

France’s heat pump leasing plan explained

Homeowners will pay back installation costs over three years, with payments cheaper than current bills

My French health journey: no-pain knee replacement took 90 minutes

Graham Barton, 68, moved from the UK to Brittany in 2018, and discovered soon afterwards that he required surgery to replace his joint. He explains what the process involves in France

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

Wife is jealous of my new male French friends

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on his spouse's isolation

Elderly,Woman,During,Group,Workout,Performs,Exercises,To,Strengthen,Abdominal

Tips to save money on sports and working out in France

Here are some ways to bring costs down for gyms, networks and equipment

When do you really need to clean your roof in France?

Columnist Nick Inman is in two minds about this particular job

Typical,Romantic,House,In,France,In,The,Country

Do I become a French tax resident if I stay too long at my second home?

Two legal texts determine whether or not you are liable to pay taxes in France

Workers,Installing,Solar,Panels,On,Roof,Framework,Of,New,Home,

Where can I get independent advice on solar panel installation in France?

There have been reports of scams and poor advice particularly in the south

French carte grise vehicle identification paper with car in background

How can we sell a car that we inherited in France?

Vehicle may be able to remain in his name before sale takes place depending on conditions

Email shock following visit to French health clinic

After returning home from a cancer check, reader received a message that her social security number was needed

Synthia Bléomelenat work in her studio, sitting at desk, surrounded by jewellery resources, smiling at camera

‘Dare to try’: a creative’s tips for monetising your talents in France

Reader Synthia Bléomelen explains how she makes money by creating and selling jewellery

Reverse culture shock is another challenge of trips away from France

Returning to the UK from living in France can bring some hurdles

I moved to France and became an online art teacher with more than 44,000 students

Reader Nicola Blakemore, 72, explains how online courses made web lessons viable

Magnifying glass zooming in on bank account figures

Should I declare interest on French bank account as an American?

Tax treaties can affect what authorities must be notified of

How do I get an evaluation for inherited property in France?

It is important to get a fair and accurate valuation at the date of death

Can a local French mairie ban Airbnb listings?

Incoming changes mean all short-term lets must be registered

Carte Vitale: how do new arrivals apply for French health insurance card?

You need to obtain a social security number as a first step

Can mairie reject solar panel request for French second home?

Projects near protected buildings and areas face tougher scrutiny

Are Asian hornet traps reimbursed in France?

Projects near protected buildings and areas face tougher scrutiny

Paris,,France,08,08,2022,,,Black,Mercedes,Amg,G63

What is the malus tax for cars in France?

Many vehicles face additional costs when registered for first time

The word tax in front of some models of houses

How does French property tax relief work based on household income?

Eligibility for relief from the taxe foncière is assessed with reference to your family quotient parts

What are France’s Mon Espace Santé and Dossier Medical Partagé?

Health databases can be checked by patients and professionals

Are annual boiler checks required at French second home?

Boilers are usually checked in summer before they are turned on for colder months

How stencils can bring life to your renovation work in France

Columnist Nick Inman pays homage to friends' technical prowess

Do I have to pay VAT to bring second-hand goods into France?

A reader asks about the process and possible costs

How can car used for half of the year in France be insured?

Existing policy may not cover extended time spent in France

How far in advance should we apply for visa to visit second-home?

Visa applications are often made through third parties

Is French flour usually fortified with iron?

Rules are different from those in other countries such as UK and US

Financial,Advisor,Talking,To,A,Senior,Man,With,An,Investment,

What is the equivalent in France of power of attorney?

A mandat de protection future allows a person to name someone to make decisions for them in the future if they become unable to do so

Guy,And,A,Girl,Greet,Each,Other,In,A,Friendly

Why should I have to kiss to say hello and goodbye in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman has some sympathy with this reader's issue with la bise

Can the French tax office seize money from my bank account?

This can happen if you leave such bills unpaid, usually after several reminder letters

How to find a notaire following a bereavement in France

A notaire will need to be involved with administration of an estate when property is involved

A view of a driver on a left-hand side drive car going fast on a straight road

My son got a speeding fine while driving my car in France - is my licence at risk?

Speeding fines are sent to the person registered as the car’s owner

Three young brothers playing rock, paper, scissors

What types of child custody arrangements exist for parents in France?

Family judges are sometimes required to rule on custody cases

a French residence permit or brexit withdrawal card inset against Lyon departmental prefecture

How long does récépissé for Brexit card renewal last?

Holders of five-year cards are now renewing document

A view of a model house and mini checklist with a magnifying glass

Is there an exemption for helping my child buy a home in France?

2025 finance law gives time-limited exemption with regard to gifts of money for this purpose

Can UK vehicle be registered at French second home?

Confusion over ‘proof of address’ required for request

When can you seek a second medical opinion in France?

Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this

A view of a carte grise against a car in the background

What can I do about old cars in my French barn?

Vehicles may sometimes come without proper registration documents

‘My dream of earning a living through art is coming true’

Planning new projects for spring? Perhaps this artistic Connexion reader will inspire you

A view of someone holding a key with a small model house keyring on it

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

We all know that the law is there to supposedly protect us, but what happens when you are new to a foreign country and your rented accommodation turns into a nightmare?

A view of a decorated coffin at a funeral

How does repatriation from France to the US work after a death?

Local consulates should be informed of the death of a US citizen abroad

Is there a ‘bedroom tax’ in France for additional rooms?

The surface area of rooms is used to calculate property taxes

Can non-citizens in France be foster parents?

Famille d'accueil are paid and considered employees

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