HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Your questions

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

Reader wishes to bequeath estate to stepson

Is bartering legal in France?

Written contracts can be useful when exchanging goods without money

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

Systems have confusingly similar acronyms

practical

I need to leave my husband in France but have no money. What can I do?

There are many potential sources of help, by phone or in person

Trending

What are the rules for putting up cameras at my French home?

People have a right to install cameras, but must respect privacy laws

Is sudden high bill from new French tax office correct?

If you believe the extra demand is incorrect, a réclamation can be made

Is it easy to switch bank accounts in France?

Certain savings accounts cannot be moved between banks

Must residency card holders in France keep three months’ validity on passport?

Fast-track and premium renewals are possible

Can neighbour legally fly their drone over our property in France?

Drones are popular hobby but cannot be used everywhere

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

Can I have both US and French driving licence and use latter at second home?

Those obtained from certain US states and other countries cannot be exchanged for one from France

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

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

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

What is the tontine option for property in France?

Option should be considered if buying for the first time

Is it possible to transfer my apartment to my daughter in France?

Gifting only residual ownership is one of many options

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

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

Can EU residency card help us visit family in Spain from France for longer?

Spending long periods in another EU country may require changing your place of residence

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

What are the rules for UK driving licences for people who live in France?

Date when licence was first issued is significant

Can mairie force me to cut down trees at French home?

Rules are complex but there should be a valid reason for such an order

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

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

Partner article: What are the risks of buying a flat off-plan in France?

Buyers only need to pay a 5% deposit on reservation

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

How do French class sizes compare with the US and UK?

Class sizes have fallen at French primary schools in recent years

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

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

Issues with my new French camping car: who should I contact?

New purchases in France are covered by warranties

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

What are the rules on installing air-conditioning in your French home?

Authorisation is usually required before you can have a new unit put in

Do airlines flying to France allow pets in the cabin?

Several airlines have specific rules

Is it possible for early-retiree to open French retirement savings account?

Account is good for inheritance purposes

Are there compensation payouts for French home losing internet?

Free mediator is available for cases not resolved amicably

Can I order glasses online from the UK and have them sent to France?

French prescriptions are usually accepted in the UK

Is an attestation d’accueil needed for people visiting France in 2025?

Border security may ask more questions once 'EES' begins