HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Your questions

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 import duties for items when moving back to the UK from France?

A relief on customs duties is available for certain possessions

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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

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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

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

Gifting only residual ownership is one of many options

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

Partner article: How are conflicting wills handled under French inheritance law?

Testaments must include a specific mention to revoke previous versions

Must foreign pension tax refund be declared in French tax return?

Rules on taxation of foreign pensions for French residents depend on double tax treaties with the country of issue

When can French state access your bank account and take money?

Unpaid taxes, fines or some other debts can lead to forced seizures

Is it still possible to apply for a ‘Brexit’ card to live in France?

There are special pathways for retirees to move to France

Travelling from France with a non-family child: what are the necessary steps?

Rules can also apply if travelling with family members

What are the restrictions on lawn mower usage in France this summer?

Aimed at reducing noise pollution, the rules can result in limited periods when grass can be cut

How do French authorities check and enforce drought restrictions?

Some exceptions allow pools to be ‘topped up’ even at highest drought alert levels

Which UK banks allow residents in France to open or keep an account?

Some banks have been willing to keep on long-standing customers who have moved to France

What is letter from French health insurance about ‘franchise’ payments?

Everyone in the healthcare system must pay solidarity fees for appointments and medicines

Can you cancel a joint loan in France after separation from partner?

There are several issues to consider

Can neighbours park outside of my house in France?

It is sometimes illegal to park in front of your own property

Second-home owners: used car or rental in France?

Choice between registering a vehicle or renting one depends on number of factors

Is it possible to switch Amazon Prime account when moving to France from US?

Certain content is geo-restricted

Can someone take a car for French roadworthiness test when its owner is away?

Vehicles without a test certificate cannot be used

Is there an official definition of the ‘south of France’?

There are several theories for where the 'south' begins

What are the rules on taxation when it comes to selling at a foire in France?

Several rules are in place for vendors

Do train tickets in France with tight connections have extra guarantees?

Connections can sometimes be between two stations in the same city

Can French Brexit card be renewed early if need to return home?

Five and ten-year cards have different maximum absence periods

Are the volcanoes in central France still active?

Volcanoes shadow major city in central France

Our French bank has asked about patrimoine - what does this mean?

Banks will often ask routine questions to gather information about their customer's finances