Relocating to France offers an attractive opportunity for UK citizens, with many choosing France given its proximity to other European countries, with Calais just a short trip from Dover for those with family members, businesses or careers that remain in Britain.

1. Financial Advice for Moving to France
From the UK

2. Relocating to France offers an attractive opportunity for UK citizens, with many choosing France
given its proximity to other European countries, with Calais just a short trip from Dover for those
with family members, businesses or careers that remain in Britain.
There is a wide range of destinations UK Expats choose to move to including the beautiful
French Riviera in southern France, settling in the modern and vibrant culture of Parisian life or
choosing a relaxing retirement in the wine regions around the Loire Valley or Bordeaux.
As with any international move, prospective expatriates must understand the visa application
process, visit France before their move to make key decisions about where to live, and ideally
speak French – or begin learning – to make the transition smoother.
Alongside all the practicalities of registering for a residence permit and taking out private health
insurance, it is also essential you have sufficient financial resources to complete your move and
support the lifestyle you aspire to in your new French home.

3. Applying for a French Visa and Establishing Your
Tax Residency Position
UK nationals can travel to France without an entry visa, with short-term stays
permitted of up to 90 days every 180 days, according to the withdrawal agreement
rules for British citizens visiting any EU country. Longer stays will require an
appropriate visa, residence permit or work permit for all family members.
Most expats relocating with a British passport initially need to apply via the French
consulate in London or Edinburgh, with a visa fee payable and varied visa
requirements depending on your circumstances. As a summary:

4. • Those moving to France from the UK for part of the year and who own a second
property in France can stay in the country for three months with a temporary long-stay
visa, called a VLS-T visa.
• Longer stays of over six months require a VLS-TS visitor residence permit, where the
French home is considered the individual’s primary residence for the current year.
There are other French visa categories, such as a French study visa for students. Those
moving to France to take up employment will need to apply for a work permit with options
depending on their employer, whether the business is registered in France and their
profession.
A French residency permit is called a Carte de Séjour, which can be granted for up to four
years. Some residence cards need to be validated at the local town hall on arrival and
should be renewed in advance of the expiry date.

5. Tax Residency When Living in
France

6. Establishing tax residency is a separate process from applying for permanent residence. It
can also vary irrespective of whether you are a long-term French resident.
Generally, you will be considered a tax resident and subject to the same taxation as a
French national if your main home is in France, you spend over 183 days per year there
and more time than in any other country, and your primary economic activity occurs in
France.
These criteria can become complex, so we always advise seeking independent guidance
if you have concerns about the correct ways to declare your income, particularly earnings
from the UK.
France has a double tax treaty agreement with the UK. That means that if you are
potentially treated as a tax resident by the French government but remain liable for UK
taxes, you will not pay duplicate taxes on the same income or event.

7. Adjusting Your Savings and Wealth
Before a Move to France
There are many things to consider before moving to France, from applying for the
applicable long-stay visa category, verifying whether you meet any initial minimum
income requirement, registering with the French authorities to pay income tax, and
deciding how to manage savings, pension products and investments.
UK nationals will require a French bank account, and income and health insurance
may be invaluable should you become injured or unwell before qualifying for the
French health system or be unable to work after moving to France.

8. Organising Health Insurance Cover as a
UK Citizen Living in France

9. If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), this can help cover some
healthcare costs, with older EHIC cards being replaced by the Global Health Insurance
Card (GHIC) on renewal.
However, the support available is minimal, and nearly all French visa categories will
require UK nationals to provide evidence of a comprehensive health insurance policy
covering all family members before they are granted a visa or permit.
Once you have been a French resident for at least three months, you may qualify for
coverage through the French healthcare system called Protection Universelle Maladie,
with healthcare provided to expats through the same system offered to French citizens.
Foreign nationals who make social security contributions through employment deductions
or are retired and have a GHIC card during a temporary stay are usually eligible for
healthcare treatments – although income or health insurance remain important
safeguards.

10. Working in France as a Non-French
Citizen
Expats looking for employment can register with the Agence Nationale pour l’Emploi
(French National Employment Agency) to search for career openings, with around
70,000 positions available for qualified applicants at any one time.
Having a good grasp of the French language is highly beneficial, and you will
normally need to provide evidence of a French residence permit to be considered for
a role.

11. Tax Planning Considerations for
Third-Country Nationals

12. Before moving to France from the UK, it is important to establish how your status as a
French resident will impact your wealth, with specialist advisers able to help with a
comprehensive review, including:
• Exposure to income tax, wealth tax, capital gains taxes and social charges.
• Your pension, potential tax liabilities and varied options around transferring your
pension to a French scheme, retaining a UK-based pension fund or opting for a self-
managed alternative.
• Managing investment products and assets, deciding how to access these funds from
abroad, and establishing the best solutions to adhere to your expectations and income
requirements.
• Inheritance tax and succession planning, where advice is necessary for expats moving
to France who have assets in both the UK and overseas since the rules around
inheritance tax in France vary significantly from those in Britain.

13. While there is a lot to consider, sound planning can ensure you protect your
financial future, understand your tax liabilities and tax-efficiency options, and can
relocate with the assurance that your accounts, savings, investments and funds are
in a good position.
For more information about moving to France, from opening a French bank account
or understanding the French equivalent income tax bands, please contact the
Chase Buchanan Wealth Management financial adviser in france team in
Bordeaux, or our UK Administration Centre, for more tailored assistance.

14. Source:
https://chasebuchanan.com/financial-advice-moving-to-france-from-the-uk/