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HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Your questions

Where is official post sent in France whilst we travel in motorhome?

Although mail can be forwarded or collected on your behalf there are challenges

Can firewood be gathered in forests to heat French homes?

A set of strict and ancient rules govern wood collection on public land

Is a licence needed to pilot a drone in France?

There are no-fly zones in some parts of the country

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Are there English-speaking dentists in France?

France does suffer from so-called ‘medical deserts’ which can affect all professions

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Is more tax payable if putting a carport in front of French second home?

Taxe foncière payments can increase if additions are made to a property

What is key information needed in ‘simple will’ written in France?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

Do French companies accept payments from UK bank accounts

Despite Brexit, UK banks remain part of the Sepa (Single Euro Payments Area) agreement

Can dual UK-Irish citizens spend six months in France and six months in the UK?

Be aware of tax residency and healthcare rights

Is it easy to buy French train tickets online, even if abroad?

You can print out electronic tickets or store them on your smartphone

How should you dispose of used tyres in France?

They cannot – usually – be dropped off at tips

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Notaires are required to confirm the transaction

Do ‘Crit’Air’ stickers go out of date for French low-emission zones?

Almost all vehicles are given a pollution rating between 1 and 5, and the most polluting are not allowed in certain towns

Who can I appoint as my power of attorney in France

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query

Is Starlink a good option for internet access in rural France?

Alternative internet access provider focuses on rural properties and ‘nomads’

Why did a French vet charge a €200 ‘cremation fee’?

Pets who die must also be have information on ‘pet database’ updated

Are €1 home insulation offers in France a scam?

The cost of insulation renovations can be partially covered by a number of schemes

What will happen to our holiday home in France when we die?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

How can I get proof of address in France if bills are in partner’s name?

A proof of address is required for many administrative tasks

Must Britons in France keep a UK passport if not planning to move back?

The document can be useful even if you do not have any travel plans

Are there noise restrictions for motorbikes in French rural areas?

Motorcycles can be extremely loud and cause a nuisance for residents

Do drivers need a different ‘Crit’Air’ sticker for each French city?

Zones limit which vehicles can pass through and are in place across France

Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable?

There are a variety of options to get a realistic idea of a home’s value

Will my toll badge work on French barrier-free motorways?

We also review how cars with non-French number plates can pay on new ‘barrier-free’ tolls

Can residency cards be uploaded to French ID smartphone app?

France Identité app allows the digitisation of certain documents

Will I get a 'livret de famille' after moving to France?

These booklets contain important information about you and your family, making administration requests much easier

Can my children have a British passport if born in France?

The supporting documents required can vary from case to case

Do New Zealand rules apply to wife’s estate in France if she died intestate?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

How can I get a French disabled parking badge?

Cards are available only to residents of France

Where can I find an English-speaking doctor in France?

Doctors are not allowed to ‘promote’ themselves via advertisements

Can I let my French car’s CT (roadworthy test) lapse if I do not drive it?

Cars require a contrôle technique every two years

Can we get help towards my wife’s respite care costs in France?

Certain low-income families may not benefit from tax reductions when it comes to respite care

Why is French notaire asking me to provide origin of funds for purchase?

Both domestic and overseas payments may be subject to such checks

Can I avoid having ugly pylons near my French home?

Fibre is being rolled out to France's rural areas

Will we need QR codes to visit Paris after the Olympic Games?

The Paralympic Games will follow on from the Olympics

Has France’s reform of tax on holiday rental properties changed?

Confusion reigned last year over changes included ‘by mistake’ in finance bill

Will new biometric controls ‘reset’ 90/180 day rule for travel to France?

Part of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is a complete digitisation of border controls

Do I keep right to stay in French property for free if owner dies?

Rights to remain in a property after the owner's death can be complex

Are UK ‘disabled’ blue badges valid in France?

The UK recognises disabled badges from all EU countries

Is tax due on a gift in a UK will to French family?

Your principal country of residence is relevant when determining any tax due

Can I use bottled gas in my French property?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Can my French employer insist I take my holiday in the summer?

France has a culture of July and August summer breaks to coincide with school holidays

Is it true that you need to keep a breathalyser in your car in France?

French laws require certain items to be kept in a car at all times

Can I take ashes from France to the UK?

Rules on keeping ashes in homes are stricter in France than many other countries

Do French gift laws limit my US annual allowance?

Rules are based on France's taxation treaties

Can I claim UK 'Attendance Allowance' if I live in France?

Brexit changed eligibility requirements for this benefit

Are electric lawn mowers popular in France? How expensive are they?

‘Robot’ lawn mowers are also on the increase

When do I have to start filing for tax in France?

Tax declarations are linked to residency

Is there a service to help disabled people use French public transport?

Assistance is essential for many people when travelling

What documents do UK residents need to drive in France?

The former ‘GB’ number plates with gold EU stars are no longer valid

Which French supermarket has the best gluten-free range?

An increasing number of supermarkets stock food suited to dietary restrictions

What is the ‘assurance-vie’ our French bank is offering us?

An assurance vie is available to both French and non-French nationals

Do adverse weather conditions affect driving rules in France?

Certain areas in France require drivers to use winter tyres from November to March

Is tax payable if gifting French house to children?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query

How do over-75s apply for taxe foncière exemption in France?

There are income rules which must be met to benefit from this

Can non-French citizens drive licence-free cars?

The vehicles are popular, particularly in rural areas

Do all visa-holders need to do an interview when entering France?

Many people entering the country are confused by the rules surrounding visas

Are drivers in France fined for driving too close on motorways?

Vehicles must remain a safe distance apart on roads

Are sandflies a problem in France, and is my dog at risk?

Bites from these insects may cause a potentially lethal disease

Do I need permission to install a shelter for my outdoor French pool?

Rules can vary dependent upon the structure and the location of a property

How can I cash a US bank cheque in France?

In some cases payment cannot be made directly to an account so a cheque is issued

Are vintage motorbikes exempt from France’s new contrôle technique test?

Roadworthiness tests for motorbikes were introduced in April

Do I need prior French clients to apply for a profession libérale visa?

There are a number of conditions that must be fulfilled when applying

If the party wall at our French home is damaged are repair costs shared?

A neighbour is undertaking renovations to their property

Can I move from the UK to France with houseplants?

There are strict regulations since Brexit

Can I travel to the UK from France without a passport in an emergency?

Assistance is usually required when a passport has been lost, stolen or damaged

Can I rent the swimming pool at my French second home to neighbours?

Swimming pools are a popular choice for second home owners

What is France’s workplace ‘right to disconnect’?

The precise ‘right’ can differ company by company

Is a natural disaster ruling needed to claim for French home damage?

France has experienced many storms this year

Is an Australian will legally binding in France?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query

How do I check my French retirement funds?

Contributions to a pension pot are counted in trimestres

I live alone, what happens to my French estate when I die?

There are a number of required tasks which must be undertaken following a death

Do gas price rises in France affect the cost of canisters also?

Household bills are scheduled to increase from July, as distribution tariffs go up

Can I hold both a French and a UK driving licence?

A UK driving licence is valid for use in France

Can I own a French registered car as a second-home owner?

There are benefits to using a left hand drive vehicle in France

What are the different heatwave warnings in France?

Both vague de chaleur and canicule warnings are given during warm summer months