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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

Brexit cards: what are the rules around passport renewal and residency cards in France?

It is highly recommended that Britons in France retain a valid UK passport

Is compensation possible if a neighbour’s pet damages garden at French second home?

Disorderly pets can wreak havoc on gardens

Repairs on dry stone wall in France: Must stones be bought or can they be picked up?

You may need to consult your neighbour to repair border walls

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Do inherited estates in the UK need to be declared in France?

There is an inheritance tax treaty between France and the UK

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When is a woman madame and when is she mademoiselle in France?

The terms are age related - but getting this right can be a delicate business

How can I find an English-speaking lawyer in France?

France is divided into over 160 bars, many of which provide information about English-speaking lawyers

Is compensation available for people injured in public in France?

Victim must show that the accident occurred in a publicly accessible area and that it caused physical harm or financial loss

Can a French bank account be opened before moving?

Online and physical banks compete with brokers in finding best solution for those on the hunt for a property

90/180 days rule: Can visa-free days be used to enter France before start of visa?

Be wary of spending too much time in France or you may be seen as a tax resident

Are there smartphone apps that show the location of parking spaces in France?

There are several digital methods to pay for a parking spot

Does residency of children affect French gift tax limits?

The 2025 budget updated certain rules on gifts between parents and children

Must address on UK driving licence be changed after moving to France?

UK drivers may have to exchange their licence for a French one after moving

What are the rules on installing a cat flap or doggy door at my French home?

Local heritage rules must be respected

French residency permits: Must they be handed back when leaving?

Permit holders retain rights for a certain number of years

Who is liable for repair costs after the sale of a property in France?

Sellers can be liable for repairs in the case of hidden defects

Is a carte de famille useful for mixed French-British couples?

These cards are aimed at people who have moved to France permanently on a first visa

Will new EU border security rules affect double passport holders?

We look at rules if you have two countries’ passports or two from the same country

How are insurance details provided following road accidents in France?

Green insurance stickers were rarely used following accidents

Customs: What allowances are there to take household items from France to UK?

Personal goods allowances change depending on how you arrive in the country

Can neighbour force us to put fence up in French garden?

Rules on undergrowth clearance and habitat protection come into play

Why are inheritance funds still in French bank account?

Notaires are responsible for closing accounts

I have overstayed the 90 day rule in France. What is going to happen?

Rules limit how long travellers can remain in EU without requiring a visa

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Electric fences are not solely for agricultural purposes

Are we liable to French wealth tax after five years of residency card ownership?

The tax implications for UK retirees living in France post-Brexit

Can non-French retirees obtain an Ehic card?

Some residents in France still benefit from UK international health card

Will EES affect travel rules for spouses of French citizens?

Spouses have additional rights to remain in the EU

What are the steps to close a French bank account if moving back to the UK?

Switching bank accounts between two French accounts is easier

Do French supermarkets deliver groceries to rural areas?

Home delivery is a popular choice for a weekly shop in France

Can a car French insurer refuse to offer cover based on age?

Insurers can cancel contracts for several reasons

When must a person begin declaring information to French tax authorities?

Income declarations are completed and returned annually in spring

How do writers set up a business in France?

Creative workers can benefit from a special social security regime

Does using ‘trustee' in French wills raise issues?

'Trusts' have different legal recognition in France than other countries

Are the start dates of French visas flexible?

Entering France before or after your visa's start date is possible, with specific conditions and requirements

Can we bring UK digger to France to work on our second home?

There is a time limit on how long machinery can be brought over to avoid import fees

Are patients of a retiring French GP automatically signed up with new doctor?

It can be difficult to find a médecin traitant in some rural areas

What is the best way to deal with ‘stink bugs’ in our French home?

The bugs arrived from Asia and are considered an invasive species

Is it possible to get a carte Vitale in France without a social security number?

Refunds may be possible for medical expenses paid out whilst waiting for healthcard

What are the rules for burning garden waste in France in 2025?

Spring is a popular time to clean up in garden

Is it necessary to sign up to a local déchetterie in France before using it?

Rules are changing in several areas to cut down on excessive waste

Can we gift French property to our daughter?

Gift taxes will be levied if certain thresholds are passed

Does France have a 'digital nomad' visa?

Several countries have visas for people who work remotely for an employer abroad

Is seasonal work possible in France under the 90/180 days rule?

Only some sectors are permitted to hire people without a valid work visa

Are there any ways to reduce notaire fees when buying a property in France?

We look at some less well-known possibilities as tax hike looms

What is a Ghic card and does it work in France

Cards cover medical necessary health costs

French speed radars: can you check if you have a fine online in case missed in post?

Outstanding fines can be found online

Is it possible for French border officials to stop stamping passport as it is almost full?

Passports need one blank page on them when travelling

Is extra insurance for French garden pool required?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Is there a simple renewal process for six-month French visas?

Second-home owners are required to obtain visas for extended visits to properties in France

Is it possible to find French cadastral plans online?

Certain plans go back to the 1800s

How can renovations on French second home reduce capital gains tax?

Reductions related to length of ownership start after five years

Are French vet costs regulated by the government?

There are several ways you may be able to reduce annual fees

Must chimney in French home be swept annually even if it is not used?

Some areas require chimneys to be swept multiple times per year

Education in France: Can children be enrolled part way through school year?

Older children are assessed on their skills before entering the education system

Can French forced heirship rules be bypassed?

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

Will my daughter have to pay tax on inherited property in France?

The value of a property can often be above tax-free sums on inheritance

Can UK paper driving licences be used to hire vehicles in France?

Some have highlighted issue of using non-French licences to hire vehicles

What is the process if Brexit card holder’s passport is stamped by mistake?

Manual stamping of passports will soon be phased out

Is property declaration form required for French second homes this year?

The Biens immobiliers form was introduced in 2023

Can we switch to ‘universal’ marriage regime in France?

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

Must neo-bank ‘pots’ of non-euro currencies be declared to French tax authorities?

Foreign accounts need to be declared on annual income tax declaration

What are the best ways to access French family history records?

Several online resources are available

French work office is too cold - is it grounds to work from home?

France’s labour laws require offices to be at a ‘suitable’ temperature

Is there an official complaints process against notaires in France?

Notaires are legally responsible for their own practices

Must gifts to grandchildren living abroad be declared to French tax authorities?

Tax-free limits are different between each type of family member

Will French citizenship application be affected by studying in UK?

Residency in France is usually required for citizenship applications

What dangerous snakes exist in France and what to do if you spot one?

Snakes can be kept as pets under certain conditions

Can a French residency card holder buy a second-home in EU and spend time there?

Beware of over-extending your stay in another country

Renewal and updates: what are the rules for French health cards?

Does our top-up insurance have to match the card dates?

What is an eco-friendly way to get rid of old clothes in France?

Some items in a good state can be sold on dedicated websites

Is it possible to switch French vehicle registration to my name after spouse death?

The marriage regime you had with your spouse can affect the rules

Is there financial help for foreign people in France towards driving test costs?

Possible aids include the so-called ‘one euro a day driving test’ scheme

Is it possible to apply for French citizenship while living outside France?

Applicants by marriage must speak and write French to a certain level

Does being an EU citizen affect rate of French property taxes?

Two main property taxes may be due each year

Can UK passports be renewed in France with a paper form?

US citizens can renew passports through the mail

Does my UK vehicle need to be registered to remain at French second home?

Residents in France must register their vehicle within one month of moving