Things to Know Before Moving to France: 9 Facts for UK Movers

Two weeks in France every summer is one thing. Living there all year is another, and since Brexit the gap between the two is wider for UK nationals than it used to be. The good news is that the rules are clear once you know them.

These nine facts are the ones most likely to change your plans, your timing or your budget. Each links to a deeper guide if you want the detail.

1. Owning a home in France doesn't give you the right to live there

Buying property and gaining residence are separate. GOV.UK confirms that UK nationals can spend up to 90 days in any 180 day period in the Schengen area without a visa, and visits in the previous 180 days count towards the total. That suits a holiday home. It does not let you live in France.

2. You apply for your visa before you leave

To live in France for more than 90 days, you'll need a long stay visa, applied for from the UK through the official France Visas website. FrenchEntrée recommends using France Visas' personalised checklist rather than figures quoted in older guides, because thresholds and document requirements change. If you're granted a VLS TS (the long stay visa that works as a residence permit), France Visas says you must validate it online within three months of arrival.

3. Your visa type decides whether you can work

This matters if you plan to keep a UK job or client base. FrenchEntrée explains that the long stay visitor visa, the usual route for retirees and the financially independent, does not allow you to work or carry out any professional activity in France, even remotely. If you plan to work, choose a visa that allows it. Our guide to moving to France after Brexit covers the main routes.

4. There's a healthcare gap to plan for

GOV.UK states that you must have health insurance to live in France. For a VLS TS visitor visa, FrenchEntrée notes that a standard travel or Schengen policy won't be enough, and comprehensive private medical insurance is normally needed. UK pensioners may be able to provide an S1 form instead.

You can join the French state system, PUMa, once you've been resident for three months, and GOV.UK warns that the carte Vitale can take six months or longer to arrive. Budget for private cover for at least that first stretch.

5. You become a French taxpayer from the day you arrive

France taxes residents on their worldwide income, and the French tax year runs from January to December. FrenchEntrée points out that while your first French tax return is filed the year after you arrive, you're liable for French tax from the date your residence begins. Your move year may involve returns in both countries, because the UK tax year runs from April to April. Take advice before you sell UK assets or take pension lump sums, because the timing can change where they're taxed.

6. Your UK licence may need exchanging within a year

According to GOV.UK, a UK licence issued after 1 January 2021 must be exchanged for a French one within 12 months of arriving. An older licence can be used until it expires, but you can't renew a UK licence while living in France, so you'll need to exchange it before it runs out.

7. You'll need a French bank account and plenty of paperwork

A French account is needed for SEPA payments, tax bills and healthcare reimbursements, according to FrenchEntrée's legal checklist for movers. Expect to show your passport, proof of address and your visa or residence card. French administration still values paper, so keep copies of every certificate and form. Our phase by phase moving checklist sets out what to do and when.

Weighing up where to settle? Browse property for sale in France, or read our region by region guide to the best places to live.

8. Speaking French matters day to day

You can move without fluent French, but FrenchEntrée's guide for retirees is clear that official documents are rarely in English. You'll need French to file a tax return, register for healthcare, pay bills and make insurance claims. Starting lessons before you move pays off, and a translator for official tasks is worth the cost in the early months. For an honest look at the harder parts of daily life, read the bad things about living in France.

9. Buying in France works differently

The French process runs through a notaire, a public official who handles the legal side of the sale. After signing the preliminary contract, the compromis de vente, buyers have a 10 day cooling off period under French law. GOV.UK advises contacting an English speaking lawyer before buying property or land. Our guide to the pitfalls of buying property in France explains the protections to use and the mistakes to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to move to France from the UK?

Yes, if you plan to live in France for more than 90 days in any 180 day period. UK nationals are treated as non EU nationals, and unless you were already living in France before 1 January 2021, you'll need a long stay visa that matches your purpose: working, retiring, studying or joining family, for example. You apply from the UK through France Visas before you travel. If you receive a VLS TS, validate it online within three months of arriving.

Can I work in France on a visitor visa?

No. FrenchEntrée explains that the long stay visitor visa does not allow you to work or carry out any professional activity in France, and that includes remote work for a UK employer or clients. The visitor route is designed for people who can support themselves from pensions, savings or other passive income. If you need to work, look at a visa category that permits employment or self employment, and check the requirements with France Visas before applying.

How soon can I get French healthcare after moving?

You can usually join the French state system, PUMa, after three months of residence, by applying to your local CPAM office. GOV.UK says a temporary social security number usually arrives within one to three months, and the carte Vitale can take six months or longer. If you receive a UK State Pension, you may be able to register an S1 form instead. Until you're covered, you'll need private health insurance, which is also usually required for your visa application.

Plan the move before you plan the house

The best moves to France start with the paperwork rather than the property. Get the visa route right, plan for private health cover until PUMa starts, take tax advice before you leave and budget for the admin. Then you can choose a home with confidence.

When you're ready, set up a free property alert on propertyinfrance.com to see new listings that match your search, or explore more than 5,000 properties for sale in France.