HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Your questions

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 request?

Some 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

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How to get UK TV signal back in French home?

Newer satellite box models can help

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Are second homes in France a good investment?

Investment picture is variable depending on geographical location

Who decides if a political party is far left or far-right in France?

Parties can contest the status with which they are labelled

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

Must all properties in France have a ‘smart’ thermostat?

Modern thermostats can automatically set temperatures even when residents are away

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

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

Can I charge electric vehicle when parked outside my home?

Rules on parking can also affect those looking to charge electric vehicles

France’s ‘solidarité fiscale’: when you are responsible for your partner’s tax

Couples who are married or in a civil partnership are jointly liable for certain taxes.

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

Must restaurants serve you free tap water in France?

There are several rules surrounding beverages in French restaurants

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

Pests can enter homes at any period

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

How long must I keep important documents in France?

Tax notices, family records, healthcare….what should you keep and for how long?

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

Is there a way to check official information on French low-emission zones?

The future of ‘ZFEs’ remains unknown, but 25 are currently in place

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

What is French ‘forced heirship’ inheritance rule and does it affect me?

Rule has come to the fore following 2021 law changes

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 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

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

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

How to reserve a French cemetery plot - and what does it cost?

The majority of cemeteries are run by mairies

Are annual boiler checks obligatory in France?

Insurance companies may reference your boiler in their documentation

Will estranged grandchild inherit part of my father's French estate?

Expert international legal advice may be necessary, and controversial 2021 inheritance changes affects wills

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

Is it possible to contest property tax bill from French authorities?

Taxes are based on property status at start of year

Is there a set date by which I must arrive in France from US on long-stay visa?

VLS-TS visas must be validated within three months

How can drivers get a disabled parking badge in France?

UK versions of the badge should now be recognised in France

Must you clear fallen leaves from your garden outside your home in France?

In most cases it is not legal to burn leaves once they have been raked up

What are the rules on metal detecting in France?

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

Are there duties payble on personal items when moving away from France?

A relief on customs duties is available for certain possessions

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