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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

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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

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

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

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

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

Family judges are sometimes required to rule on custody cases

When can you seek a second medical opinion in France?

Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this

Can non-citizens in France be foster parents?

Famille d'accueil are paid and considered employees

How much is second home insurance in France?

There is no legal obligation to insure a second home if it is a fully independent property

Can I get a UK S1 form as pensioner in France?

Anyone in the country who claims a UK state pension is typically eligible to receive an S1 form

Can I install chicken coop for my own eggs during shortage?

Coops are subject to taxes if over a certain size

Are ‘lifetime driving licences’ coming to an end in France?

Incoming EU rules on licences only partially affect France

Can you vote by proxy in French elections?

French and EU citizens are eligible to vote in municipal elections

What are penalties for not conforming with new septic tank requirement?

Financial aid is available for homeowners needing to install new tanks

How can I reduce my wife's admin after my death in France?

Specialist UK firms can help ease things along and liaise with the notaire

How to get UK TV signal back in French home?

Newer satellite box models can help

Are second homes in France a good investment?

Investment picture is variable depending on geographical location

Was it a mistake to move to France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman has some advice for a reader who is getting cold feet

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum in France

Reader Flavia Campos, 44, explains how a move to Lille brought the variety she craved

Explained: how to register a classic car in France

It is relatively straightforward to get a carte grise véhicule de collection for your vehicle

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

How to fit in when you move to France: avoid that ‘expat bubble’

After two decades in central Brittany, Jill Fitzgerald O’Connor wants to help other movers feel part of their new community

Do I need separate caravan insurance in France?

Fixed and mobile models have different rules and coverage

Can EU citizens get French identity cards?

French-issued ID can be useful for some administrative procedures

Can you offer rentals in France when staying on visitor visa?

There are different thresholds for rentals before they are deemed as ‘professional income’

How can I know if speed limit is 80 km/h or 90 km/h on road following changes?

More than 50 departments have partially or fully overturned 2018 law change reducing limits on secondary roads

Can Accueil des Villes Françaises help me make friends in France?

Organisation aims especially to help newcomers settle in

What does a French tontine actually look like?

It may be stated in the title section of paperwork

What do I need to do if my pet dies in France?

French regulations require animals to be cremated

Am I being overcharged on savings in France?

A reader writes about income tax demands on interest

How accurate are time estimates for French hiking paths?

Mathematical formula is basis for sign figures

As a US citizen, living in France, why do I still get stuck in non-EU lanes since EES start?

We clarify rules around passport lanes and why they may be slow this year

How to deal with asbestos in France

As the material ages, it degrades - becoming more likely to release harmful fibres

How did George Clooney obtain French citizenship despite speaking little French?

Were 'double standards' involved, or did he follow standard procedure?

Can I work in France with UK TEFL teaching qualifications after Brexit?

Advice for foreign language teachers seeking employment in France after Brexit.

Could I be forced to sell my house to pay fees if my spouse has to move into nursing home?

Various funding options exist that can help towards costs of residential care

Do unmarried partners of French and EU citizens have the same rights as married ones?

Freedom of movement rules apply to EU spouses

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Vivion Gibbs, 73, who moved to Brittany from the UK in 2011, describes how lower back pain quickly escalated into something far more serious

Should you do activities you dislike to integrate in France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on joining in with friends and neighbours

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

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares her advice for commemorating loved ones

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

Columnist Sue Adams looks forward to years of companionship with a new Jack Russell terrier

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

How can I help my child to integrate in France?

Children tend to pick up languages quicker than adults

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 I managed to cut the cost of energy bills at my French home

Connexion reader Anthony Powell embraced renewable solutions in years-long renovation project

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

Do I need the devis to contest French builder’s bad job?

An estimate is a legal contract between you and the person doing the work

What is diamond sign that has appeared on major road near my French home?

Trial for use of sign is underway

Is it possible to register for barrier-free motorway alerts in France with a UK-registered car?

Concessionaires offer alerts notifying drivers when vehicle has passed through such routes

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

Off-peak hours are soon set to change

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

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

Several weather conditions affect maximum speeds in France

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

Health cards provide ‘medically necessary’ coverage

How to set up a fuse box in a French home

Columnist Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse

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

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