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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

Is it dangerous to drive a Tesla in France at the moment?

Several vehicles have been burned as anger rises against Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Do roof repairs need to be declared to French tax authorities?

Repairs do not usually require planning authorisation to be issued

What do French authorities mean by a ‘recent’ birth certificate?

French versions of the document are updated with key life events

practical

Can non-residents switch banks in France easily?

Account and card costs are on the rise generally

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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

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

Insurers can cancel contracts for several reasons

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

Will French citizenship application be affected by studying in UK?

Residency in France is usually required for citizenship applications

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

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

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

What is the purpose of the EU’s 90/180 days rule that applies in France?

Regulation has taken on more significance for UK residents since Brexit

Do savings accounts that do not tax interest exist in France and UK?

Exploring tax-free savings options for French residents with UK connections.

What is cost of septic tank diagnostic when selling a French second home?

Tests are mandatory before selling your property

Will French children of British citizens need ETA to enter the UK?

All non-British and non-Irish citizens entering the UK will soon need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation

Are pharmacies in France closed on Sundays? What if I need medicine urgently?

Stocking up on medicines before the weekend is a good idea

Is there a register of certified local chimney sweeps in France to use?

Only professional sweeps can provide certificate that chimney has been swept

Why was application to switch UK driving licence for French one rejected?

Residency rights affect whether licence switches can be made

Will French power of attorney be applicable in UK?

Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query

Is taxe d’habitation required for flats let in French farmhouse?

Taxes due depend on the status of the property

Is it possible to apply for compensation after power cut at French home?

Compensation is sometimes given automatically

What is the role of an estate agent when buying a property in France?

Some properties are advertised with multiple agencies

Is it possible to use different passports to enter and leave France and the UK?

Border security rules are coming into force across Europe and UK which will see non-citizens registering to enter countries

Can drivers have a personalised car number plate in France?

France changed its number plate system in 2009

Can a mobile home remain parked in French home garden?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Is it possible to transfer property share of French home?

Transfer may be subject to gift tax

How should garden waste be disposed of in France if bonfires are not allowed?

Some areas have also banned disposing of green waste at waste centres

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

Insurance companies have their own requirements

Do foreign people living in France get free entry to museums?

France’s ‘national museums’ are run by the state with certain people able to access them for free

How to pay French free-flow motorway fee in rental car without toll badge?

There is a limited amount of time in which the tolls must be paid