After a long-awaited trial regarding the embezzlement of European Parliament funds, Marine Le Pen and 24 other members of France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party were found guilty yesterday. We won’t go into the full details of the case here (The Guardian and Le Monde have comprehensive coverage if you want to learn more), but essentially, Le Pen and her co-defendants were accused – and now convicted –  of creating fake jobs at the European Parliament that were paid for using EU funds. The funds, which totalled about €7 million, were instead used to fund assistants working for the RN party.

Le Pen has been sentenced to four years of jail time, with two years suspended and two years to be served at home with an electronic tag, alongside a fine of €100,000. Most importantly, she and all of the other defendants will be subject to a peine d’inéligibilité, a five-year ban on holding public office, starting immediately.

Despite having stepped down as leader of the RN party – which now has her protegé Jordan Bardella at its helm – Le Pen was still the favourite to run in the 2027 elections with hopes of succeeding current President Macron. The guilty verdict not only means that she won’t be able to stand in the elections, but it’s also a big knock to her self-proclaimed “anti-corruption” principles – in 2004, she was famously quoted as saying: “The French are sick of seeing politicians embezzling money. It’s scandalous”. However, Le Pen has called the verdict, a “political decision”, promising to appeal the ban, and there is concern that this could actually have the reverse effect of boosting support for the Far Right.

Tax season is almost upon us, and the official deadlines for filing your French tax return have finally been declared. If you are resident in France, you must, by law, file a French tax return, even if you don’t have any income to declare or aren’t liable for any taxes. Tax declarations will be open from next Thursday, April 10^th, and the deadlines are as follows:

May 20th: Postal Deadline. If it’s your first time filling in a tax return in France, you must fill in a paper form, and this deadline applies to you.

May 22rd: The first deadline for online applications applies to French nationals who are overseas residents or French residents who live in départements 1-19.

May 28th, 2025: The second deadline for online applications applies to French residents who live in départements 20-54. Note that this deadline falls on a Wednesday rather than the usual Thursday, being as Thursday May 29th is a bank holiday in France.

June 5th, 2025: The third and final deadline for online applications applies to French residents who live in départements 55-101.

Tip! To access our exclusive 2025 French Tax Guide and Masterclasses, including wealth tax, property tax, and filling in your tax return, then you can also become a FrenchEntrée Member.

A new month and a new trimestre in France always bring a few changes with it, so what’s changing in France in April?

Let’s start with the less-favourable news. Gas prices are going up, this time by an estimated 2.27% for households that have gas heating. Notaires fees in some departments are also going up from an average 4.5% to 5%, while sick leave pay will go down from an average €53 per day to €41 per day.

As always, March 31^st also marks the end of the annual winter truce or trêve d’hiver in France, which means forbids landlords from evicting tenants or utilities companies from cutting households off, even if they have not paid their rent or bills.

In better news, April also means a 1.7% bump in CAF family benefits, Parisians can enjoy extended terrace seating at bars, cafes, and restaurants until 10pm (from April through October), and, of course, the Easter school holidays are just around the corner.

Finally, a quick reminder that the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA will be expanded to all EU citizens from tomorrow – April 2nd. If you’re a Brit travelling to the UK with French or non-UK citizen friends or family members, make sure that they apply for the visa waiver online prior to travelling.

Read our full guide: ETA Visa Waiver for the UK: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve read some strange stories in the news this morning or found a paper fish mysteriously attached to your back, it can only mean one thing – it’s April Fool’s Day, better known as the poisson d’avril!

Don’t worry; everything in this News Digest is true, but you can read all about France’s unique April 1st traditions here.

I could probably start a separate newsletter devoted entirely to France’s latest strike news, but instead, I try to highlight only those that might impact frequent travellers and homeowners. Which brings me to the latest strike notice filed by Sud-Rail, the union that represents conductors on France’s high-speed TGV and Intercité trains. The strike notice concerns weekends between April 17th and June 2nd, encompassing both the French school holidays and the May public holiday weekends, when many French workers opt to “faire le pont” and enjoy a four-day weekend.

It’s unclear as of yet how much disruption this will cause to national trains, and there is, as always, a chance that they will be called off if their demands for a pay increase are met. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more, but for now, the best advice is to keep your travel plans as flexible as possible.

TLSContact, the third-party contractor that runs French visa centres in the UK, as well as in the Middle East, and Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, will be expanding its operations to the United States as of April 2025. Currently, French visa applications in the US are handled by VFS Global, which operates visa centres in 10 cities across the US – Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC.

The application process for US citizens begins, as with all other French visa applications, online via the France Visas website, but applicants are then required to attend an in-person interview at one of the visa centres before a final approval (or denial) is made by the French Consulate in Washington. From April 17, 2025, these visa centres and the second half of the application process will be handled by TLSContact as they take over from VFS Global.

So, what changes? It’s important to stress that there will be no changes to the application process itself when TLSContact takes over the contract, and as TLSContact have plenty of experience handling French visa applications around the world, a smooth transition is expected. TLSContact will continue operating visa centres in the same 10 US cities; however, the locations will change – you can see a full list of the new addresses here. If you have a visa application underway with VFS Global that hasn’t yet been approved or denied prior to the handover date (April 17th), then you will report to the new TLSContact visa centres to pick up your passport and visa.

One final change is the visa processing fees – standard TLSContact fees are €45 for a short-stay visa and €220 for a long-stay visa, payable in US dollars.

Just a month ago, we were reporting on RyanAir’s threats to stop flights to France, but it seems that the low-cost airline has quietly had a change of plans. In fact, they’ve announced two new flight routes to France.

The first is a new route to Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne from London Stansted, which starts this weekend, March 30th. The second is a seasonal summer route (from May to October) between Bristol in the UK and Toulouse-Blagnac airport in the south of France.

The next FrenchEntrée webinar is this Thursday, 27^th March, and I’ll be putting YOUR QUESTIONS to our visa and relocation expert, Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat.

Whether you’re a US, UK, or other citizen, if you have a question about French long-stay visas, carte de séjours, health insurance, and anything else related to visas and residency in France, then send me your questions at:  webinar@frenchentree.com.

Register now to secure your place on our free webinar next week!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris

It’s bad news for anyone who, like myself, was looking forward to une grasse matinée (a lie-in) this weekend, as we’ll all lose an hour of precious shuteye. Yes, the clocks will be going forward by one hour in France this Sunday, March 30th, and 2am will become the new 3am!

Dave and Marie had always wanted to move to France, but managing the intricate steps of securing a visa, finding a property, and creating a business in France seemed fraught with impossible obstacles. It was at this crucial moment that they were recommended to LBS.

We started by laying the foundation of their move during a Residency & Relocation planning meeting. My aim during this important consultation is to ensure my clients get clarity on the different steps and timelines to their project. I, therefore, touched on all the different actions that needed to be taken for their smooth transition: getting their visas, finding their home, accessing French healthcare, exchanging their US driving licences for French ones, the French tax system, the business structure for Dave’s activity and finishing with their visa renewals. This led very quickly to us working with Dave and Marie on their whole project via a Serenity Prestige bespoke relocation package.

We decided that Dave would need an independent ‘liberale’ visa so that he could create a consultancy activity and continue invoicing his worldwide clients in America and in Europe. For his wife Marie, a visitors’ visa was the way to go with their social security payments. We worked hand in hand with Dave on building his business and financial plan, creating a coherent project that the visa centre would understand. We consolidated both files showing that neither Dave nor Marie would not be a burden to the French system and would be an asset to France.

David and Marie said: “First, when one is applying to get a Visa for France the paperwork is complex and having any of the forms filled out incorrectly or missing a form will introduce a considerable amount of delay. Our package for two people was nearly 100 pages of paperwork and I cannot imagine assembling all of the disparate documents, some of which need to be submitted in French, without their assistance. Further, online sources and particularly the French Government guides are exceptionally vague on some questions and working with a team with years of experience was a great help.”

Visas require a French address, and securing a rental is notoriously tricky—especially in a competitive market. We partnered with local agents to find a suitable apartment close to local amenities, and negotiated a successful rental agreement. Alongside this, we helped with critical tasks like arranging insurance, setting up a bank account, and securing a rental car for their arrival.

David and Marie: “Once you arrive in France, you will face a series of challenges. For instance, one cannot rent an apartment without a utility bill and, of course, one cannot get a utility bill without having an apartment. We were able to rent an apartment, on short notice, thanks to LBS. Local French people were amazed that we were able to achieve this feat as it can be difficult for even French people to rent apartments. Bank accounts are also often quite difficult to open and many foreigners with whom we have spoken found it quite difficult. LBS arranged a meeting with a local branch of a national French bank and everything went smoothly.”

So we successfully got David and Marie into France, visas in hand, and their rental accommodation lined up. But there was no time for a breather! The next steps were to validate their visas, which triggers the immigration process, line up their OFFI meetings, and, of course, start the buying process to find their forever home. We also had a business to create for David! A small micro enterprise was set up, so that he could start invoicing rapidly. So, whilst David and Marie were very busy settling in and meeting the locals, we were moving forward with the search and making their business project a reality. After all, without a business, they wouldn’t be able to renew their visas!

David and Marie: “We also relied on LBS to help us with buying a house as we were unfamiliar with French real estate laws and customs. Again, without their assistance and guidance, the process would have been much more stressful and, likely, unsuccessful. Considering the costs of making a mistake in France’s complex real estate system, it gave us great peace of mind to have them helping us.”

The journey for David and Marie didn’t stop there. We continued with the healthcare affiliation, driving licences, and, of course, their business creation & management. I’m happy to say that Dave now has a 4-year business residency card.

The journey to making France their home was not without its challenges; navigating a new country brings its share of hurdles. But what truly makes a difference is having the right team to support you—and being ready to adapt along the way.

So, can the American Dream be found in France?

For David and Marie, the answer is a resounding yes.
And if you’re ready to make your dream life in France a reality, LBS is here to help.

www.lbsinfrance.com

relocation@lbsinfrance.com

You can read the full case study of David and Marie here.

The French tax authorities have confirmed that the official opening date of the 2025 tax season will be April 10^th. This is the date when the online platform (at impots.gouv.fr) will open, and French tax residents will be able to submit their annual déclaration des revenues (income tax declaration). It’s a crucial date for anyone living in France as all French residents must, by law, file an annual tax return, even if you have no income to declare or have no taxes to pay. In certain circumstances, French property owners may also need to file a tax return in France.

Understanding French Tax- Are You Tax Resident in France?

Second Home Owners: Do I Need to File a French Tax Return?

The official deadlines for submitting your tax return have not yet been confirmed, but they are typically 6-8 weeks after the opening date and will be staggered depending on how you file and where in France you live. The first deadline always applies to paper tax returns only, such as those filing a French tax return for the time. Everyone else will typically file their application online, and three further deadlines will apply: the first for overseas residents or French residents who live in départements 1-19, the second for those who live in départements 20-54, and the third and longest deadline (usually 8 weeks after applications open) for those who live in départements 50-101 or French overseas territories. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

Relations between France and the US have been off to a rocky start since President Trump took office in January, thanks to the US President’s stance on a whole number of political issues, from the Ukraine war and Nato to economic tariffs. While Macron seemed in good spirits while in Washington last month for a press conference with Trump, he’s also doubled down on the need for France and Europe to reduce its dependency on the US, both economically and militarily, in recent weeks.

The latest event to make the headlines was yesterday, when French politician and MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, while criticising the US’ dramatic change of policy regarding the war in Ukraine and widespread cuts on scientific research funding, called on the US to return the Statue of Liberty. While the move was somewhat of a publicity stunt, Glucksmann did drive home an important message: “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty!’ We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently, you despise it. ” he said, provocatively. (Sidenote: in case you didn’t know, the Statue of Liberty was designed by Frenchman Auguste Bartholdi and gifted to America by France to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence in 1886).

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, perhaps unsurprisingly, with an equally low blow, saying: “My advice to that unnamed, low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, so they should be very grateful to our great country”.

It’s safe to say that the Statue of Liberty won’t be shipped off to France any time soon.

Last week, we published our guide to the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and one question that’s come up since regarding British and Irish dual citizens. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA and do not need to apply for the authorisation prior to travelling – however, for this to apply, they must travel using their British or Irish passport.

The question, however, concerns those who, for various reasons, do not have a British or Irish passport – perhaps you’re a dual British-French citizen and haven’t bothered reapplying for a British passport now that you’re settled in France, or perhaps you’ve grown up in France and have British citizenship thanks to your parents, but never applied for a British passport. While you might assume that you could apply for an ETA using your foreign passport, the ETA application form requires the declaration of dual nationality, which consequently voids the application.

If this applies to you, you can find the UK’s official answer here (scroll down to the questions “What are the implications for dual nationals of the UK and an EU

Country?”). Essentially, you have two options: either apply for or renew your British/Irish passport and use that to travel or obtain a ‘certificate of entitlement to the right of abode’ (find out more about that here) that you must present at the border along with your EU passport.

ETA Visa Waiver for the UK: Everything You Need to Know

Finally, don’t forget to sign up for our next free webinar, when I’ll be joined by Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat to answer your questions! Send your questions on French long-stay visas, carte de séjours, health insurance, and anything else related to visas and residency in France to at webinar@frenchentree.com.

Register now to secure your place on our free webinar next week!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris

No. You do not need to take a language test or demonstrate French language abilities in order to apply for a short-stay or long-stay visa. Nor do you need to sit a language exam to apply for your first Carte de séjour (residency card) in France. The French language requirements only apply to applications for multi-year residency cards and French citizenship.

If you plan to become a long-term resident of France, you will likely be required to demonstrate your level of French after living in the country continuously for four to five years. While individual paths to residency will vary, most people will arrive on a 12-month long-stay visa, apply for a 1-year Carte de séjour, and renew this Carte de séjour at least twice (or a maximum of three times) before applying for a multi-year Carte de séjour. At this stage, they will be required to demonstrate an A2 level of French.

As covered in the previous questions, no language exam is required for French long-stay visas and 1-year Carte de séjour residency cards. The language requirement applies to two different types of residency cards – the Carte de séjour pluriannuelle, which is typically valid for four years, and the Carte de résident, which is typically valid for 10 years – as well as for French nationality applications.

No. While it might be tempting to simply keep renewing your carte de séjour annually in order to avoid having to sit the French language exam, there is now a limit to how many times you can do this. In most situations, it no longer be possible to renew the 1-year carte de séjour more than three times, which, for most people, equates to a total of five years in France – the first year on a 1-year visa, followed by the initial 1-year Carte de séjour, and a further 3 x annual renewals. There are a few exemptions to this rule, which we’ve outlined in another question below.

In reality, five years is ample time for most people to learn French to the required level, which is only an A2 level, and receiving the multi-year Carte de séjour means securing your residency in France for a further four or five years. If nothing else, you will no longer have the hassle and costs of reapplying each year, which can be time-consuming at best.

There are now three different French language levels required, depending on the residency status that you are applying for:

1. For the multi-year carte de séjour (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), an A2 level of French is required. There was previously no official language requirement for this card, although applicants were often required to sit a language assessment and pledge to attend free lessons if their level was under the minimum A1.
2. For the residency card (Carte de résident), a B1 level of French is required. There was previously an A2 language requirement for this card.
3. For French citizenship (nationalité française) applications, a B2 level of French is required. There was previously a B1 language requirement for these applications.

There are several exemptions to these language tests, including:

• Individuals with a “visitor” (visiteur) Carte de séjour, most commonly used for retirees as it doesn’t allow the recipient to work in France. While these individuals will still be required to provide a language certificate to obtain a multi-year or resident card, the 1-year Carte de séjour visiteur will not have the same 3-year limit in place for renewals. This means that you could, in theory, continue to renew this card annually.
• Individuals with certain Carte de séjours, including students, interns, some family visas, and temporary workers, will also fall under the same rules as the visitor visa, meaning that there is no obligation to apply for a multi-year or resident card.
• People aged 65 and older will be exempt from the language requirements for the Carte de résident and multi-year Carte de séjour only. This exemption does not apply to French nationality applications, except for those over the age of 70 with refugee status.
• Individuals on a Talent Passport – this is one of few multi-year Carte de séjours for which different rules apply, and, in certain situations, it may be possible to renew it for a further four years. However, recipients of a Talent Passport would still be required to sit a language test if they plan to apply for a Carte de résident.
• Anyone who has previously received a carte de résident or carte de séjour pluriannuelle under the previous rules. You won’t be asked retroactively for a language test; however, it’s currently unclear how this will affect renewals.
• Anyone covered by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, including those who currently hold a 5-year card and wish to upgrade to a 10-year Carte de résident.
• Anyone with a medical exemption. Note that you will require an official attestation from your French doctor for this, and it may not apply to all disabilities and learning disabilities – many language testing centres offer options for such individuals to take suitable tests, such as a braille exam paper or an extended-time exam. Talk to your local test centre or your médicin traitant about the options available.

The required language levels are based on the Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues or CERL (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CERF/CEF in English), so most diplomas that use this testing system will be allowed, including DELF, DU, and DCL. However, most applicants will opt to take the  the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) issued by France Éducation International or the the Rest d’Évaluation du Français (TEF) issued by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris (CCIP).

Read our guide to Passing the TCF French Test.

Don’t worry if you don’t pass the test the first time, as it is possible to repeat the exam. However, it is important to note that the carte de séjour pluriannuelle and carte de résident applications will need to be filed within a strict time window, and failure to meet the deadline could result in your application being denied. Therefore, we recommend planning ahead, taking dedicated TCF preparatory classes to ensure you are fully prepared for the exam itself, and sitting the test itself as far in advance as possible (a TCF certificate is valid for two years after it is issued). This way, if you don’t succeed in your first attempt, there is plenty of time to revise and resit the exam.

Typically, the TCF/test de connaissance du français exam costs about €100, but you should also take into account the cost of any required preparatory classes – even if you are confident in your level, it’s recommended to take at least one to familiarise yourself with the test procedure and give yourself the best chance of success.

Most people who are employed in France or self-employed under the micro-entrepreneur scheme will also be able to use their annual government-issued training allowance, Mon Compte Formation, to cover the cost of both the TCF examination and the preparatory lessons.

How to Get Free French Tuition in France Using Mon Compte Formation(CPF)

 If your summer vacation plans involve train travel in France, it’s time to start planning! SNCF, France’s national railway, will be releasing tickets for its sought-after summer holiday period tomorrow – Wednesday, 12th March. The best offers, which typically include routes on the low-cost Ouigo services and TGV InOui and Intercités services to other French/European cities (starting from €39), are likely to sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as possible. Purchase your tickets via the SNCF site here.

Not sure where you want to travel to? Popular routes within France include the high-speed TGV InOui connections from Paris-Lyon, Paris-Montpellier et Paris-Marseille, while international departures from Paris include Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland, Milan and Turin in Italy, Stuttgart, Fribourg, and Europapark in Germany, Brussels in Belgium, and Luxembourg.

We’re just a few weeks away from tax season in France and while we don’t have the full list of dates and deadlines yet (watch this space!), we can confirm a few changes on the horizon for 2025. Firstly, the recently agreed upon 2025 Budget included some inflation-related adjustments to the tax-free allowance and tax bands that will apply to your 2025 French tax return (tax levied on income earned in 2024).

Here are the new tax bands for 2025:

• Up to €11,497:0% tax rate
• From €11,498 to €29,315: 11% tax rate
• From €29,316 to €83,823: 30% tax rate
• From €83,824 to €189,294: 41% tax rate
• More than €189,294: 45% tax rate

Other tax-saving rules that will apply to 2024 income include tax reductions of up to 75% for charity donations up to €1,000 under the ‘couluche’ scheme (read more about that here) and a tax exemption for cash gifts made to close family members for the purpose of a first-time home purchase or energy-efficient home renovations (read more about that here). The tax exemption for tips for hospitality workers and other select service providers (hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc) has also been extended through 2025 (read more about that here).

For our next free webinar, I’ll be joined by Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat, and we want your questions! Send me your questions on French long-stay visas, carte de séjours, health insurance, and anything else related to visas and residency in France, and I’ll put them to Fab during our hour-long webinar in a couple of weeks.

Email me at webinar@frenchentree.com.

Register now to secure your place on the free webinar!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris

Different European countries have different visa categories, and even within those, the requirements can vary based on your nationality, income level, and employment status. For instance:

• Portugal’s Golden Visa program is ideal for investors but requires specific property or business investments.
• Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa suits retirees but has strict financial proof requirements.
• France offers a Talent Passport for skilled professionals, but you’ll need to prove your qualifications and job prospects.

Pro Tip: Always verify visa requirements with official sources, and be aware that rules often change without much notice. Missing a document or misinterpreting a regulation could lead to rejection.

One of the most overlooked aspects of relocation is taxation. Moving to Europe doesn’t just impact your residency—it can also affect your global tax liability. Some key considerations include:

• Double taxation treaties: Some countries have agreements to prevent you from being taxed twice on the same income.
• Wealth taxes: Countries like Spain and France impose wealth taxes on worldwide assets if you become a tax resident.
• Exit taxes: If you’re leaving your home country, be aware of any taxes imposed on expatriating assets or investments.

Pro Tip: Consulting a tax professional before your move can save you thousands in unexpected tax bills.

Many new arrivals in Europe underestimate the amount of paperwork involved. Opening a bank account, securing rental agreements, registering for healthcare, and obtaining a tax ID all require specific steps—and often, these must be completed in a particular order. A single missing form or incorrect translation can set you back by weeks.

Pro Tip: Always plan for buffer time in your relocation schedule, and prepare multiple certified copies of key documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and bank statements.

While some relocation consultants operate as solo advisors, this can be risky. If they fall ill or are unavailable at a critical moment, your entire process could be delayed. That’s why working with a dedicated team is invaluable—when one person is unavailable, another can seamlessly pick up where they left off.

At Please Help, we work as a team to ensure your relocation stays on track, no matter what happens. Our experts stay updated on the latest legal and tax changes, handle documentation efficiently, and provide end-to-end support so you can focus on settling into your new home stress-free.

The Mon Compte Formation scheme (otherwise known as CPF, which stands for Compte Personnel de Formation) is a government aid available to both private-sector and self-employed workers under the micro-entrepreneur scheme that was introduced in 2015 and provides financial aid for professional training, courses, and qualifications. All salaried workers and micro-entrepreneurs in France have access to these funds, which equate to about €800 per year for unskilled full-time workers and €500 for skilled full-time workers – varying rates apply for self-employed or part-time workers. Your balance can be carried over if you don’t use it, up to a total of €5,000.

The funds are held in your personal CPF account (more about setting that up below) and can only be used to pay for accredited courses applied for via the government site – you can’t access your allowance in cash or use it for training courses that aren’t registered.

You can read more about the scheme here.

Who qualifies for “Mon Compte Formation (CPF)” and what can it be used?

The funding is available to workers over the age of 16 years (or 15 years old with an apprenticeship contract) up until retirement. In the case of being made redundant (for salaried workers) or a career change (for self-employed workers), you may also be able to use the funds you’ve accumulated to finance retraining or career development.

All workers are automatically given the right to this training budget, but you do have to set up an account with Mon Compte Formation in order to benefit – you can do that online here: https://www.moncompteformation.gouv.fr. This can take some time, so it’s recommended to set up your account in advance – you won’t be able to sign up for any courses without it.

You will first need to set up a FranceConnect+ and Identité Numerique to access your account, for which you can follow our previous guide:

FranceConnect+ and L’Identité Numerique: Setting Up Your Digital ID

If this isn’t available, you can sign up using your social security number and details available on your payslips or chiffre d’affaire, but extra verification steps will be required.

Avoiding scams

An additional word of warning: CPF and Identité Numerique accounts have unfortunately been the target of several scams since their inception, so take care that you only enter your details on the official government website listed above. Avoid following any links sent to you by email or text (even if they look official), and be wary of websites or links that vary from the official ones (sometimes just one letter has been changed, or the gouv.fr suffix is missing).

• You should create both of these accounts yourself via the official websites – no professional is authorized to do this for you, and anyone offering to “help” should be treated with suspicion.
• Be wary of phone calls from individuals claiming to be from “Mon Compte Formation” offering to help you choose your courses – a common tactic from scammers. Often, they will tell you that you must register now to secure your place or that your funding is about to run out, which is unlikely to be true. Don’t ever sign up for anything over the phone. If you need help, contact CPF directly via the official website.
• Never share your social security number, email, login, or date and place of birth – no vocational training professional or call centre is authorized to ask you for these.

Once you have created your account, you can check the training funds that you have available to you – click “mes droits” – and then search for training programs in your chosen field – click “rechercher une formation”.

There are a huge number of training courses and qualifications available, both in person and online, covering just about any work-related subject you might think of. You can choose a course that is covered entirely by your funds or opt to partially fund the training and pay the remainder yourself.

Note that for employees, there is a mandatory €102.23 that must be paid by the individual per training course; this amount is often reimbursed by your employer or OPCO. For self-employed workers (micro-entrepreneurs), this doesn’t apply, and you will often find that the entire amount is covered.

Once you’ve selected the course, you can create your “dossier d’inscription” online to register for the course. This process varies depending on the type of course and the training centre/organization involved, but you will typically need to enter basic information online and validate your dossier, after which you may be contacted by the training provider by phone or email to confirm further details or dates. Your dossier needs to be confirmed by both sides before it will be approved, but it’s typically a simple process and the course organizer will be able to advise you of any additional steps required.

How to use Mon Compte Formation for language lessons and TCF exams

One of the most popular uses of this training budget for expats in France is to take French language classes, and it’s also possible to cover the test de connaissance du français (TCF) exam that is required for residency cards and French citizenship applications. You can search for the exam directly via Mon Compte Formation or contact TCF exam centres in your local area and to speak directly with them – be sure to ask them straight away whether they are eligible for CPF or not. In many situations, it’s possible to cover the entire cost of the exam itself and a package of in-person or online training sessions.

Read more about the test itself in our guide:

Apply for French Nationality/Citizenship STEP-BY-STEP: Passing the TCF French Test

US citizens living in France will want to be aware of some potential changes that may affect them even while living overseas. First is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, H.R. 22, which was thrown out by the Senate last year but has reemerged this year. It introduces tightened rules on voting in US elections, most notably the requirement to show proof of citizenship in person when registering to vote or updating a registration. This would effectively end online voter registration, meaning that US citizens overseas would be required to return to the US if they wish to partake in elections. You can find out more about the act and how to take action against it here.

Another important change that would affect US citizens in France is the potential closure of consulates in France. According to Politico, Trump’s plans to shrink the State Department and reduce the number of overseas embassies could see four US embassies in France close. The list of consulates marked for potential closure includes those in Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes, and Strasbourg, along with others in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Brazil. If this was approved, it would leave a single US consulate in Marseille, alongside the US Embassy in Paris – drastically reducing the contact points and assistance available for to Americans living in France. So far, this hasn’t been confirmed or denied by the State Department, but we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been in place since the start of the year for non-EU/EEA citizens, and from April 2^nd, the new visa waiver scheme will also apply to all EU and EEA citizens visiting the UK. Online applications for the travel authorization, which costs £10 and is valid for two years from the first date of travel, open from tomorrow (Wednesday, 5^th March). The ETA must be applied for in advance and you should allow a minimum of three days prior to travelling. However, UK authorities recommend applying four weeks before to ensure enough time to reapply if your initial application is rejected. As the scheme is new and may inevitably run into some teething problems, we recommend applying now if you are planning to travel to the UK in April or May.

You only have to register once, and your ETA will be valid for unlimited travel within a two-year period up to a total of up to six months at a time. The ETA is tied to your passport, however, so if you change your passport in this period, you will need to reapply and pay the application fee again.

Note that while UK citizens living in France do not need an ETA if they are travelling to the UK with a UK passport, spouses or family members travelling with a French, EU or other international passport will need to apply for an ETA.

Read our full guide:  ETA Visa Waiver for the UK: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re looking to move to France in 2025 or beyond, don’t miss our next free webinar. I’ll be joined by Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat to break down the application process, talk you through the different visa types available, and arm you with all the information you need to move to France in 2025.

Register now to secure your place on the free webinar!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris

The Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA is a pre-clearance for travel similar to the ESTA in the United States and the upcoming ETIAS in the EU. It is not a visa and does not replace the need for a visa for anyone who previously required one, nor does it guarantee entry to the UK (you will still need to pass through passport control and border security).

However, any non-UK/Ireland citizen visiting the UK who does not require a visa for travel must now apply for an ETA prior to travel.

Essentially, all non-UK, Republic of Ireland, or British Overseas Territories citizens travelling to the UK without a visa will require an ETA in 2025. However, the requirements for different nationalities have been introduced in two stages.

Since January 8, 2025, all US and non-EU/EEA citizens have been required to obtain an ETA prior to travel.

From April 2, 2025, this requirement will be extended to all EU and EEA citizens. Applications will be open as of March 5, 2025, so anyone planning to travel from April onwards can obtain their ETA in advance.

ETA exemptions

If you are a citizen of the UK, Ireland, or British overseas territories travelling on your respective passport, then you do not need an ETA to visit the UK. Similarly, anyone with a valid UK visa or UK residency status (including settled, pre-settled or right of abode status) does not need an ETA.

There are also exemptions for anyone transiting through a UK airport, providing that you don’t pass through border control (make sure to check with your airline if you’re unsure), and Irish residents travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man

Are there exemptions from the ETA for UK spouses or family?

No, there are no exemptions for family members or spouses unless they have UK or Irish citizenship in their own right. Children or family members with dual nationality may travel without an ETA providing that they travel using their UK or Irish passport. Note that families or groups travelling together must still apply for an ETA individually.

Do children need a UK ETA?

Yes, every individual requires an ETA, including children and babies, and parents can apply on behalf of their children. There is a special exemption for students under 18 who are visiting the UK on a school trip – however, they must have a valid ID, a copy of their parents’ ID, and an exit permit (for example, this one for French students).

You can apply for the ETA online via the UK’s government website here or via the corresponding app (reviews of the app seem to indicate some teething problems, so we recommend sticking to the website for now!). Make sure not to apply through unofficial websites, as you will, at best, be overcharged or, at worst, not receive the correct documentation.

To apply, you will need:

• Your passport
• Access to an email address
• A credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express), Apple Pay, or Google Pay
• A photo of your passport

You don’t need to give details of your travel plans to make the application.

When should I apply?

You must apply for an ETA before arriving in the UK. The process is designed to be straightforward and should take a maximum of three days. However, it’s recommended to apply a month in advance of the date of travel to account for any delays and to allow time to reapply in the case of an error or rejection.

How long is the UK ETA valid?

The ETA is valid for a period of two years from the first date of entering the UK. You may visit the UK as many times as you like during the two-year period; however, you cannot stay in the UK for longer than six months.

Note that the ETA corresponds to the passport rather than the person, so if you change your passport or travel using a different passport, you will need to reapply. 

How much does a UK ETA cost?

An ETA costs £10 (about €12) per person. 

Whether you are a regular traveller to France, planning a property hunting visit, or simply visiting on vacation, our new Travel to France zone has the latest travel news, updates, and advice on everything related to travelling to France.

When moving to a new country, understanding your tax residency status is crucial. Without expert guidance, you may end up overpaying or facing double taxation.

Your residency status affects how much tax you owe. At Elitax, we ensure that you pay the correct amount while complying with French tax laws.

Under the Code Général des Impôts (CGI), you are considered a tax resident if:

• Your main home is in France
• You work primarily in France
• Your economic interests (investments, businesses) are centered in France

If you do not meet these criteria but earn income in France, you must still submit a tax return. If you’re unsure of your status, contact Elitax for assistance.

As a non-resident, you are only taxed on income generated from activities or investments within France. Foreign income should not be included in your French tax return.

For example, if you operate businesses in both France and the UK, only French-earned income must be declared.

Elitax simplifies tax filing with a structured five-step process:

1. Consultation – We assess your tax situation.
2. Questionnaire – You complete a tax return form.
3. Review – We analyze your income and deductions.
4. Preparation – We complete your tax forms.
5. Submission – We file your return online or guide you through mailing paper forms (for first-time filers).

First-time filers must submit paper returns, while returning filers are required to file online. We handle the entire process to ensure accuracy and compliance.

With nearly two decades of experience as bilingual tax advisors, we have been assisting clients in meeting French tax obligations while optimizing their tax payments since 2000.

Our services are competitively priced and provide expert local knowledge, ensuring that your tax return is handled efficiently and accurately. We prioritize communication and offer personalized assistance.

Our Commitment to You

We guarantee to prepare and file your tax return correctly and on time, provided you supply the necessary information. Our expertise ensures that your tax return is optimized for the best possible outcome.

Tax Rates for Non-Residents

Non-residents in France are taxed at a flat rate of 20%. This income should also be reported in your home country to avoid double taxation. France has tax treaties with over 100 countries, ensuring you do not pay taxes twice on the same income.

Need Help?

If you need assistance with your French tax return, personal tax, or business tax, contact us today. We will provide a cost estimate and turnaround time based on your needs.

From March 1^st, if you’re booking plane tickets for any flight leaving France, you’re likely to see a rise in fees. France’s recently approved 2025 budget includes a measure to increase the “eco-tax” or taxe sur la solidarité des billets d’avion that applies to tickets, which comes into play from this Saturday.

For low-cost fares, the tax has almost tripled, and the resulting hikes are expected to be passed down to travellers, especially by low-cost airlines. Here’s a breakdown of the applicable fees:

Short-haul economy flights: €7.40 (previously €2.63)

Medium-haul economy flights: €15

Long-haul economy flight: €40

Short-haul business flights: €30 (previously €20.27)

Medium-haul business flights: €80

Long-haul business flight: €120

It’s not the first time that these taxes were hiked – while the original solidarity tax on flights was introduced in 2006 by Jacques Chirac (you may still hear it referred to as the Chirac tax), the addition of an “eco-tax” came back in 2020. Last year, airline workers protested the possibility of further rises, fearing that raising prices would further damage an industry already struggling to recover post-Covid. However, as France scrambles to reduce its deficit, these taxes have been reasoned by the fact that they are most likely to affect the 20% of the population with the highest incomes (i.e. those who travel the most).

Note that this tax is waived for flights to Corsica and to French overseas territories such as Martinique and Guadeloupe.

France’s toughened requirements on language tests have made the headlines recently after a report by France Info claimed that tens of thousands of foreigners in France may lose their residency permits. The report also suggested that many French citizens couldn’t pass the exam itself.

While this isn’t recent news – in fact, it was part of the 2024 Immigration Law that we reported on back in January 2024 – we’ve been waiting for clarification on when these new language test requirements would come into action. An exact date still hasn’t been issued, meaning that the old language levels still apply, but we do have confirmation that this will come into play by 1^st January 2026 at the latest.

So, what are the new levels? The language requirements for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle or a Carte de résiden have now been raised to an A2 level (previously A1) and B1 level (previously A2), respectively. The level for applying for French Nationality has been raised to B2 (from B1). But is the scaremongering over these raised levels really fair? In reality, most foreigners moving to France will not need to pass a language exam until they have been in France for five years – which is ample time to get your French up to scratch. As someone who passed the test de connaissance du français or TCF French language exam last year, I can vouch for the fact that this test is not as scary as it sounds (and I am someone who definitely suffers from exam nerves!). If you work in France, you can also get your preparatory classes and exam 100% covered by your “Mon Compte Formation” – I didn’t pay a cent for mine. It does, however, require some preparation and as such, I can absolutely see a French person who has been given zero guidance on how to craft answers for such an exam failing or receiving a lower result than their actual level.

My advice? Get prepared! You can read my article on passing the TCF here, and we’ll also be answering all your FAQs on the language requirements in an upcoming article, so keep a look out for that. FrenchEntrée Membersalso have access to our comprehensive Visas & Residency Guide, which goes through the entire process from your initial visa onwards – if you’re not already a member, you can sign up here.

There’s some good news for anyone concerned about toxic “forever chemicals”, as the French parliament voted in a new law put forward by the Green party last Thursday. Growing evidence on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances or PFAS shows that these man-made chemicals, used for non-stick and waterproof treatments on everything from clothing to cookware, are not only linked to a host of serious health issues but have been found to be present in everything from drinking water to human brains. (Read more about PFAS and the dangers here.)

The new law will prohibit the sale of items using the forever chemicals except in rare circumstances where there are no known alternatives, as well as obliging the French government to carry out regular tests on drinking water. The bill is set to come into action from January 2026.

Hot on the heels of last week’s popular webinar, we’ve got another important date for the diary – this time for those of you looking to move to France. I’ll be joined by Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat to break down the application process, talk you through the different visa types available, and arm you with all the information you need to move to France in 2025.

Register now to secure your place on the free webinar!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris

It’s wise to keep a check on your pool every couple of weeks especially if you run it over winter like we do without emptying it. Leaves need to be regularly scooped out. Chlore lent topped up and the water level dropped from time to time depending on how much rain we have had.

8. Let in some fresh air

There have been some lovely sunny days and these are the ideal time to fling the doors and shutters open and air these historic buildings. If you haven’t got many guests over winter, or maybe you close, you do need to keep air flow in mind. Otherwise, you may find a foisty smell and damp come Spring. Invest in a dehumidifier and check regularly – especially after or ideally before a rainy spell.

9. Check bed linen and towels

Are your sheets up to the job? Over time, colours can fade and sheets do wear out. So make a list of any required new purchases and source a hotel grade local supplier. Or, why not give your linen store a revamp? It changed my life when hubby built me a linen store. All our sheets are aired, folded and put in the correctly labelled pile. Now when I go to make beds on change-over day, it is so much easier.

10. Restock your supplies

For example, we give all our summer clients a shopping bag to keep – these need ordering and printing. Our soaps, shower gels, cleaning products etc etc. need restocking for the year and we order locally made environmentally friendly products whenever possible – the planet is important to us.

Lastly, don’t forget to communicate these changes to your guests – it’s part of your gîting story and our clients love hearing about our lives here in France.

Bonne continuation!

One of the primary uses of “quand même” is to express a reluctant agreement. For example, imagine that you are not entirely convinced by what someone is saying but decide to go along with it anyway. In this instance, “quand même” can be used to convey a sense of grudging acceptance.

Example:

• Person A: “Cette série est vraiment intéressante, tu devrais la regarder.”
• Person B: “Je ne suis pas sûr, mais je vais essayer, quand même.”

Here, Person B is not wholly persuaded but agrees to give the series a try, nonetheless.

Another common use of “quand même” is to indicate surprise or disbelief. When something happens unexpectedly or out of the blue, or, when someone says something that is hard to believe, “quand même” serves as a tool to express that astonishment. Really?? Unbelievable!

Example:

• “Il a terminé le marathon en moins de trois heures, quand même!”

This sentence shows that the speaker is impressed and a little surprised by the achievement.

“Quand même” can also be used to emphasize a point in a conversation. It adds weight to what is being said, often to underline a sense of fairness or to highlight an important point that should not be overlooked.

Example:

• “J’ai fait tout ce travail tout seul, quand même!”

In this context, the speaker is stressing that they did all the work alone, emphasizing the effort it required.

In some instances, “quand même” can be used as an expression of frustration or exasperation. It’s a way to voice your annoyance or to point out something that should have been obvious or taken into account.

Example:

• “Tu aurais pu me prévenir, quand même! “

Here, the speaker is frustrated because they feel they should have been informed earlier.

Softening a Statement

Often, “quand même” is used to soften a statement that might come across as too direct, harsh or brusque. It’s a way to soften the impact of what is being said, making it more acceptable to the listener.

Example:

• “Il n’est pas très compétent, quand même.”

This makes the critique less blunt, adding a layer of politeness or consideration to the statement.

Acknowledging Effort

Lastly, “quand même” can be used to acknowledge someone’s effort or to give credit where credit is due. It recognizes that, despite the outcome, the effort was made and it should be appreciated.

Example:

• “Elle n’a pas réussi, mais elle a essayé, quand même.”

This usage shows an appreciation of the attempt, even if it was not successful.

If you’re a British or EU citizen planning to buy a property in France, then don’t miss our free webinar this Thursday. I’ll be joined by an expert panel to take a look at the latest news and advice on the French property market.

• Where is the best place to buy right now in France?

• How much will notaire fees cost in 2025?

• Can you get a French mortgage as a non-resident?

• How will exchange rates affect your purchasing power in 2025?

We’ll be answering these questions and much more!

Join us this Thursday, 20th February 2025 at 10 am UK time/11am French time.

Sign up for our free Where to Start with Buying in France – UK webinar here!

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted several EU leaders yesterday (Monday, 17^th Feb) for an important meeting regarding EU security. Calling an urgent meeting in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent actions regarding the US involvement in ending the Ukraine War and comments over the US’ commitment to NATO, leaders from the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland met at the Élysée Palace in Paris yesterday. Heads of the European Council, NATO, and the European Commission were also in attendance.

Opinions were divided at the meeting, with France and Britain pushing for “strong and credible security guarantees” – President Macron spoke with both Trump and Zelensky on Tuesday, emphasizing these concerns, while UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer stated that the UK was ready to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if required. Germany, on the other hand, remained opposed to deploying any European troops.

President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, posted a statement on X that summed it up, saying: “Europe’s security is at a turning point. Yes, it is about Ukraine — but it is also about us. We need an urgency mindset. We need a surge in defence. And we need both of them now”.

Read more at Le Monde or follow the latest Ukraine news live at The Guardian.

Last week’s News Digest took a look at the 2025 increases in taxes on plane tickets and its potential effect on flights to and from France. Thankfully, the news hasn’t stopped low-cost carrier EasyJet from announcing two new flight routes from the UK to France.

The first is a new route from London Gatwick to Brest in Brittany’s Finistère department, a key gateway to western France. Flights will start from June 25th with two direct flights per week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Next is a new seasonal route from Edinburgh to Bordeaux, which will run twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays from June 26th through until the end of August. The service replaces the previous Edinburgh-Bordeaux route operated by competitors RyanAir, who have now closed their base at Bordeaux airport.

Spring has sprung early in the south of France, at least where pollen counts are concerned. Thanks to the unusually warm temperatures, some thirty departments in the south have been put on high alert for pollen, particularly cypress, cedar, and juniper pollen, according to the RNSA (Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique).

Il y a comme un air de printemps dans le sud🤧
Le risque d'allergie est élevé du sud-ouest au le sud-est du pays en raison de la présence accrue de pollens de Cupressacées (cyprès, genévriers…)🌲
Le risque est également moyen pour les pollens de frêne, d'aulne et de noisetier! pic.twitter.com/VY6RIsESel

— Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (@rnsa_pollen) February 16, 2025

Allergy sufferers have been advised to take extra care, avoid hanging laundry outside, air out living spaces daily, and limit outdoor sports activities if required. You might also want to stock up on allergy-related medications earlier than usual.

There’s also a medium-level risk for ash, alder, and hazel pollens.

Regardless of your opinions on France’s latest Prime Minister, François Bayrou, I’m sure I’m not alone in breathing a sigh of relief that he survived the two votes of no confidence filed against him last week. For better or worse, France now at least has a 2025 budget and some semblance of political stability (surely no-one really wanted another government pause right now?!). Of course, we’ll see how long this lasts – experts are still predicting that this government will also fall in the coming months.

For now, though, Bayrou is shifting the conversation back to the ever-contentious subject of immigration. Prior to the votes of no-confidence, the PM came under fire for his recent comments regarding France’s “flood” of immigrants. Now, in response to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin’s recent statement regarding the removal of France’s “jus soli” (the law that allows children born on French soil to claim citizenship between the ages of 13-18, providing they spend the majority of their childhood in France) from the constitution, Bayrou called for a wider debate about what it means to be French, insisting that such a debate could not be “postponed forever”. “What does it mean to be French?” Bayou asked, “What rights does it give you? What duties does it demand of you? What advantages do you get? What do you commit to when you become a member of a national community?”

France finally has a 2025 Budget after starting the new year with a hastily approved rollover of the 2024 Budget and, as such, suffering several not-insignificant freezes on government service funds. The new budget is designed to reduce the public deficit to 5.4%of GDP in 2025, and includes several elements of Barnier’s previous bill, albeit with several concessions to the left.

So, how might the 2025 Budget affect you? Firstly, there will be a temporary increase in taxes on the highest earning households in France (those with a revenu fiscal de référence higher than €250,000 for a single person or €500,000 for a couple), and tax bands for 2025 will increase by 1.8% according to inflation, which is good news for lower and middle-income households. The initial proposal to lower the threshold of VAT/TVA for micro-entrepreneurs has been dropped, but big businesses (those with an annual turnover greater than €1 billion) will be required to pay a temporary additional contribution. Additional taxes have also been applied to high-polluting vehicles, air travel and property purchases (detailed below).

One of few increases seen in the cut-heavy budget is France’s defence budget, which has an increase of €3.3 billion in spending compared to 2024. On the other end of the scale, the education budget has been hit hardest with cuts of €50 million, somewhat counterbalanced against the promise of restoring 4,000 teaching jobs.

France’s controversial proposal to increase the “eco-tax” (officially the taxe sur la solidarité des billets d’avion) on airline tickets has been approved in the new 2025 Budget. Since 2005, the eco-tax has already been added to tickets for all commercial flights leaving France, and this increase will see the tax more than doubled. The taxes depend on a number of factors, but as an example, the tax added to an economy ticket for a European flight leaving from France currently has an additional €2.63 of tax added. Under the new budget, this would increase to €7.40. For long-haul destinations, the tax for an economy ticket would increase to as much as €40.

One person who won’t be happy about the tax hike is Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who spoke out last week against the proposal, threatening that Ryanair is likely to reduce its flights to France as a result. “France is already a high-tax country and, therefore, if it further increases already high taxes, we will probably reduce our capacity,” he said. This comes after the news that Ryanair will be closing its base at Bordeaux airport over a dispute about fees and will be cancelling all its flight routes to Paris. Will this latest news mean that Ryanair stops services to France entirely? Watch this space.

Another unwelcome increase that will affect property buyers in France applies to notaire’s fees – the non-negotiable fees that are payable by the buyer when purchasing a property in France. Typically, notaire’s fees total between 7-8% of the purchase price, which includes a flat rate of 4.5% for registration fees and land property sale taxes, plus various local taxes. The new budget allows for an increase of those base fees from 4.5% to 5%, which could push the overall total up to around 8-9% – a sizeable chunk of the property value.

These increases are set to apply from March 2025 through to Feb 2028 (although there’s no guarantee that this won’t be extended beyond then) and will include an exemption for first-time homeowners in France (before you ask, no, that doesn’t apply to non-residents purchasing a second home!).

We’ve now confirmed our expert panel for next week’s free webinar and it’s a great one! I’ll be joined by estate agent Sophie Folley, Founder and director of Sophie Folley Immobilier, and French Property Lawyer Laure Chaveron to cover all the basics about buying in France, from starting your property search through to signing the acte de vente. Thomas Nivert, Director of Societe2Courtage, will also be demystifying French mortgages and offering insider advice on how to get the best rates and secure a mortgage as a non-resident, and last but not least Mar Bonnin Palmer, Head of Partnerships at Moneycorp, will be talking you through how to get the best rate of currency exchange and maximise your property budget.

Join us next Thursday,  20th February 2025 at 10 am UK time/11am French time. If you have questions for any of our panellists, you can also email us at webinar@frenchentree.com.

Sign up for our free Where to Start with Buying in France – UK webinar here!

If you own assets in both France and the UK, those assets may be subject to both UK and French inheritance tax on your death. Both countries apply a tax on death, but the way that the tax is levied and the rate of tax are different.

In the UK, it is the ‘estate’ that is taxed and has its own tax-free amount. Broadly speaking, each estate has a £325,000 tax-free amount and tax is levied at the flat rate of 40% on the excess. The tax-free amount can however, in some circumstances, between a married/civil partnered couple reach up to £1,000,000.

In France, inheritance tax is payable by the person receiving the inheritance, the ‘beneficiary’. Their tax-free allowance and rate of tax are based on how closely related they are to the person who has died, and the amount that they are inheriting. Children receive the most generous tax-free allowance (up to €100,000) and pay the lowest levels of tax, with non-related people having a very small tax-free allowance and paying tax at the very high flat rate of 60%.

If you are domiciled (living) in France at the date of your death, the starting position is that the French tax revenue will tax your worldwide assets on your death.

This means that if you have moved to France but have kept a home in the UK, on your death, your French tax office will tax not only your home in France, but also your home in the UK.

If you are domiciled in the UK at the time of your death, HMRC will also wish to tax your worldwide estate. This means that if you have a holiday home in France, HMRC will include this when your estate’s inheritance tax is calculated.

A problem here is that the UK and French definitions of ‘domicile’ are very different. The definition of domicile under UK tax law is complicated and it is possible to have lived in France for many years and still be domiciled in the UK, under the UK definition of the term, if you intend to return to the UK in the future or you still have ties to the UK.

As you can imagine, from the rules mentioned above, there are many situations where double taxation can arise. For example, if you are living in France, but still considered domiciled in the UK – both the French and the UK tax authorities will wish to tax your worldwide assets on death.

To prevent this from happening, and to clearly state which country can tax which asset, and to provide double taxation relief, there is a double taxation treaty between the UK and France. This treaty dates back to 1963.

From 6 April 2025 the UK will no longer treat domicile as the ‘connecting factor’ when ascertaining if the UK can tax a person’s worldwide assets.

The UK will instead look to ‘residence’. If you have been UK resident for at least 10 of the last 20 years you will be considered ‘long-term resident’, and HMRC will assess your worldwide assets for inheritance tax.

If you are non-UK long-term resident, then HMRC will only assess your UK assets for inheritance tax.

This change will be welcomed by many people as it will make it much clearer if you are within the scope of UK inheritance tax or not. The existing domicile rules can be difficult to apply and small changes in your circumstances can make a big difference. It is anticipated that the new residence rule will add clarity for many people.

This is especially important for individuals that own assets in country which does not have a double taxation treaty with the UK.

How will the new ‘long-term’ residents rule apply to me?

If you are resident in the UK and have been so for at least 10 of the last 20 years, then HMRC will be able to tax your worldwide assets on your death. If you own a home in France, it will continue to be included for your UK inheritance tax calculation on your death. Your French property will still be included in your French inheritance tax calculation; however due to the 1963 double taxation treaty, if tax is payable in both countries it will be possible to credit the French tax due against the UK tax due on the French property.

If you have lived in the UK for fewer than 10 out of 20 years, then only your UK assets will be included in your estate’s UK inheritance tax calculations.

The current governmental guidance is that there will be no changes to the 1963 UK-French double taxation treaty. This treaty uses domicile as the connecting factor when discussing which country can tax which assets on death. When a person is ‘domiciled’ in both the UK and France then there are a series of tests to determine which country has the worldwide taxation rights.

Therefore, if you are now a French resident, but would still be considered a UK long-term resident (because you have still lived in the UK for at least 10 of the last 20 years), then the double taxation treaty will need to be applied and your domicile analysed to determine whether France of the UK can tax your worldwide assets when you die.

In short, if you own assets the UK and France only, the change of rules to long-term residence may not have any change on the application of inheritance tax on your death.

The application for French nationality or “naturalisation par décret” needs to be made online via the “Étrangers en France” website – the immigration portal known as ANEF or Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France, which is also responsible for handling all long-stay visa validations, carte de séjour and carte de residence applications and renewals and work permits.

Am I ready to apply?

Before you start your online application, make sure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and have your full dossier, including translated documents and your TCF French exam certificate (or equivalent), ready to go. Read through our previous articles to ensure that you are prepared.

Before you begin, you should:

• Understand the application process and eligibility criteria
• Have compiled your dossier of documents based on your personal situation
• Have translated any foreign documents into French using an official translator
• Have received your French language certificate or equivalent
• Have all your documents labelled and saved on your computer in a digital format (PDF or JPG is best) and the smallest size possible.
• Have been officially resident in France for the required amount of time (typically five years for naturalisation par décret or three years for declaration by marriage): don’t try and file your application even a day before as it will be rejected and need to be submitted again!
• Have some time and patience! Expect the online application to take you at least an hour, and make sure to double-check everything, as any mistakes will slow down the already long process.

Ready? Let’s get started!

First things first: you’ll need to set up an account with ANEF, which you can do here. Many applicants will already have one of these thanks to their visa or residency card applications, but otherwise, the easiest way is to use FranceConnect, which will allow you to log in using your tax or other official accounts.

To get started, click “Je demande la nationalité française” and “se connecter”

If you don’t have any other logins, you’ll need to create an account using your visa or carte de sejour number and date of birth.

The following screenshots show the various steps of the online application, which is split into five main sections:

1. Saisie de ma demande: here, you’ll be required to enter all the main details of your application, split up into a further five areas:
   • Mes informations: personal information like your maiden name and date of birth, as well as your studies/language level
   • Parents et fratrie: details of your parents and siblings
   • Ma situation familiale: details of any marriage/divorce or children if relevant
   • Mon domicile: your address and living situation
   • Mes ressources: your job, income and taxes
2. Recapitulatif: here, you’ll need to check and verify all the previous information, as it can’t be changed past this point.
3. Documents: here, you’ll be asked to attach documents (and translations where required) related to the same five areas addressed in section 1.
4. Paiement: here, you will be redirected to the payment page to purchase a “timbre fiscal électronique” and enter the code – this is the required payment for your application (typically €55).
5. Confirmation: here, you’ll verify your application, send it off and receive an email of confirmation.

Click here to start your application, and take a look at the screenshots below for an idea of the different sections.

REMEMBER: your application may look different to mine and will certainly include different document requirements. This article is designed to help you prepare and know what to expect, but you should always adhere to the questions/documents asked for in your individual application even if they are different to those shown below.

Here are a few tried and tested tips based on my own experience:

• The ANEF website is notoriously glitchy, so I recommend closing other browser windows and not using any ad blockers or English translation plugins (if you’re applying for nationality, your French should be good enough to manage the application in French!). This will give the website the best possible chance to function correctly!
• Be patient when uploading files and do them one by one – some of mine took several minutes to upload, and it’s not always clear if it’s loading or has just timed out. Logging out and back in again can often solve the problem if your application seems to be stuck.
• Save and label files correctly: Make sure your files are saved in the correct format; otherwise, they won’t upload – if you find your files aren’t uploading, this is usually why. Stick to pdfs or jpgs, and compress or reduce the size of files as much as possible to ensure you don’t go over the limit. Annoyingly, the overall limit isn’t made clear, so it’s a guessing game. Generally, the smaller, the better, as long as the files/images are clearly legible.
• Compile related documents: In instances where you need to upload multiple documents but there is only one “joindre un document” button, you may need to create a pdf document with all documents in one single file. Translations often have a separate “joindre une traduction” button.
• Double-check before hitting continue: While you can save your application and come back to it at a later date (and it will automatically save each section as you hit the continue button), avoid using the back button if possible. I used this to go back and triple-check prior to hitting send and regretted it! The system crashed and lost my application, and I spent two weeks communicating with technical support to delete this frozen application so that I could finally resubmit it – all of which was a huge waste of precious time. My advice is to check each section thoroughly before hitting continue, and don’t try to go back after submitting.
• Technical support: Finally, you may follow all these tips and still run into technical problems as I did. If you do, make sure to use the “Nous Contacter” button on the site to send a message to their support team. All messages will be responded to, but they won’t always give a useful response – in this instance, reply to the message, repeating the problem (ideally explained as simply as possible with a clear action point and screenshots where possible). You may need to send several messages, but in my experience, repeated messages do eventually get forwarded to the right person. Be polite, concise, and persistent, and the problem should get fixed!

If you’ve made it this far, well done! You’ve now officially sent your application – look out for our next article to find out what happens next.

If you’ve been through the process and have any tips to share, please comment below!

If you’re heading to the French Alps this half-term, travelling to some of the most popular alpine resorts just became more complicated after a landslide caused extensive damage to parts of the RN90. The RN90, which connects to ski resorts such as Les Arcs, Val d’Isere, Courchevel, and Meribel, was hit by several enormous boulders—bigger than a car—on Saturday, leaving hundreds stranded, but miraculously no one hurt.

Repairing the road surface and barriers, which were equally damaged by the sheer size of the rocks, will take time, but local préfet François Ravier also warned that a safety assessment of the surrounding mountains would have to be carried out to determine any further risk areas before the road could reopen. In short, it’s unlikely to reopen in time for the February half-term holidays, causing traffic disruption during one of the region’s busiest periods. Redirected traffic will pass through the Ponserand tunnel, but adapting the one-way tunnel into a contraflow system means a rate of just 800 cars per hour passing through. With some 40,000 skiers expected to arrive this weekend, the maths doesn’t look good!

There’s no need to cancel your trip, but local police are advising that motorists follow local signs and diversions rather than following sat-navs/GPS and try to arrive outside of the busiest period (12-5pm) if at all possible. To help ease the traffic, it’s worth considering alternatives such as train travel, car-sharing where possible, and perhaps adding an overnight stay so that you can tackle the last part of the journey in the early morning, which is likely to be the quietest time.

You can find out more about the road closure and driving in the area on the Savoie website here.

It seems like each month brings another looming political crisis, and French Prime Minister François Bayrou has managed to inflame parliament anew as we move into February. This month is crunch time for France’s long overdue 2025 budget, with Bayrou insisting that a budget must be approved by mid-February: “A country like ours cannot remain without a budget”.

Bayrou’s attempts to bridge the ever-increasing divide between France’s left and right doesn’t seem to be going well, however, with his recent comments about a “flood” of migrants in France leading the left to call him out over his use of far-right language. His latest move – evoking the infamous Article 49.3 yesterday to push his budget through parliament, the exact move that led to the downfall of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier – isn’t going to win him any support; after all, wasn’t it just weeks ago that he promised both sides that he wouldn’t use it? Naturally, the move has led to an immediate filing of a vote of no-confidence from the left. The vote is set to take place this week, and so far, parties on the right have not announced whether or not they will support it.

Which brings us back to a familiar question: will we finally have a 2025 budget by next week, or will we be back where we started without a Prime Minister?

If you’re excited to pack up, hit the ski slopes, and forget about politics, then there’s good news – the February half-term is almost here! Schools in France break up depending on their geographical “zone”, with Zone B starting this Saturday, 8th February and enjoying a two-week break, returning to school on Monday, 24th February.

Zone C will follow, with the holidays running from Sat, 15th February to Mon, 3rd March, and finally, Zone A, who will be on leave from Sat, 22nd  February to Mon, 10th March.

See our guide for more: French School Holidays – 2024/2025 Dates for Your Calendar.

1st February is often a key date in French administration when various new laws and tariff increases/decreases are brought into action. Here’s a quick round-up of some of the changes you can expect this month:

• Increase in motorway tolls: France’s autoroutes are set for a 0.92% increase in road tolls.
• Gas price rises: gas users will see a small bump in prices this month, averaging around 1%.
• Electricity tariffs drop: Electricity tariffs, on the other hand, are set to decrease by a not-insignificant 15% for those on regulated tariffs.
• Livret A interest rates fall: The interest rates on France’s tax-free savings accounts will go down from 3% to 2.4% to match falling inflation.
• Carte grise prices go up: Some regions, including Brittany and the Grand Est, will see a hike in the fees for vehicle registration – from now on, the local taxes will rise by €5-12 depending on your region.

Our next free webinar is devoted to Where to Start with Buying in France, and I’ll be joined by an expert panel that includes an estate agent, a French mortgage broker, a cross-border legal advisor, and a currency exchange specialist to go over all the basics and answer your questions live.

For this webinar, we’ll be focusing primarily on our UK audience (although plenty of the information will be relevant to all buyers), but if you live in the US and Canada, don’t worry – we’ve got a similar event planned for you coming up in April – we’ll have more details closer to the time, but you can already sign up here.

If you want to make 2025 the year that you find your dream French property, then make sure to sign up!

Sign up for our free Where to Start with Buying in France – UK webinar here!

In the UK, we have three separate legal regimes:

• England and Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

Both in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland, a person can, broadly speaking, leave their assets to whomever they wish when they die. This is known as ‘testamentary freedom’.

There are a few exceptions to this, such as when an asset will pass automatically to someone, for example, if it is owned with another person as ‘joint tenants’, or where a certain category of person (such as a spouse) has been excluded from the Will. They can make a claim, asking the court to make financial provision for them from the deceased person’s estate. This is far from an automatic right and each case will be determined by the court on its own merits.

Where you have made a Will and have children or are married/in a civil partnership, testamentary freedom is limited in Scotland by ‘legal rights’. Children and the surviving spouse/civil partner are entitled to a percentage of the deceased’s ‘movable assets’ (assets which are not land or buildings).

Although there are changes to inheritance tax law coming into force in April 2025 for the UK (which will be discussed in a separate article), there are no expected changes to inheritance law anticipated.

French inheritance law is very different to that in the UK.

In France if you have children, you must generally leave your children a percentage of your assets when you die; you can’t simply exclude a child by choosing not to name them in your Will. This is known as forced heirship.

In England and Wales the most common way of leaving assets for a married couple with children is as follows –

• On the first spouse’s death, they leave all their assets to the surviving spouse.
• When the surviving spouse then dies, they leave all their assets to the children.

Whilst this is a very common planning technique in the UK, and can be achieved by making a straightforward Will, it won’t always work in France, due to the French forced heirship rules.

The European Succession Regulation (650/2012) gave British individuals the opportunity to choose for the law of their nationality to apply to their Wills in France – meaning that a British national most closely associated with England and Wales could choose English and Welsh law, instead of being obliged to follow the French forced heirship rules. This had the effect that they could, instead of having to leave a percentage of their French property to their children, instead leave it to all to their spouse.

In 2021, a controversial law (an amendment to article 913 of the French Civil Code) was introduced. If a person making a Will, or any of their children, are resident or a national of any EU country, then their ability to choose English and Welsh law is curtailed. Although it is still possible to make a choice of UK inheritance law to apply in the Will, the notaire dealing with the inheritance (the succession) in France will be required to confirm with all the individual’s children that they are happy to follow the terms of the Will, rather than French forced heirship.

The consequence of this, is that for many people, they are no longer able to leave their assets as they had hoped in their Will.

The changes to Article 913 are controversial. Because of the way the law is written, notaries find it tricky to deal with, and it appears on the face of it, to be in conflict with the EU Succession Regulation.

The European Commission is currently considering whether France has breached EU law by bringing in its changes to article 913 and restricting the ability of people to choose the law of their nationality to apply to their Wills in some cases.

The European Commission has not yet made a decision; however it is possible that one could be reached in 2025. If so, and it finds that France has breached EU law, then it is possible that article 913 will be amended to once again allow full recognition of a choice of English and Welsh law in the French Will of a British national.

This past weekend, the FrenchEntrée and France Media Group teams were in London for the 2025 French Property Exhibition, and it was our busiest and best one yet (if I do say so myself!). A huge thank you to everyone who came to the event, especially those who attended my seminar and came to chat with us on our stand – we’re happy to welcome many of you as FrenchEntrée Members, too!

If you didn’t make it to the event, don’t worry; we’ll be publishing exclusive interviews with many of the exhibitors in the coming weeks – make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out. You can also enjoy a sneak peek below.

In the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, northwest France was hit with heavy rains and winds of 120km/h this past weekend, causing extensive flooding and more than 400 evacuations in Rennes. The departments of Loire-Atlantique, Morbihan, and Ille-et-Villaine remain on the highest level of alert for floods today (Tuesday,) with the surrounding regions of Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Normandy on high alert for wind, rain, and storms. Rainfall is set to peak today and calm down over the rest of the week, but be vigilant if you live in the affected areas. If you own a second home in the abovementioned regions, it might be a good idea to get a friend or neighbour to check your property for damage.

You can follow the latest weather updates and alerts here.

Frying pans at the ready as it’s pancake day in France this Sunday, February 2nd. La Chandeleur, as it’s known in France, is the time to put your crêpe-making skills to the test and indulge in paper-thin crêpes filled with gooey Nutella, fresh fruit, or a generous dusting of sugar. Try our classic crêpe recipe, then read our full article on La Chandeleur for some fun facts about this age-old tradition.

If you’re a Brit living in France, this is also great news – with the UK version of Pancake Day held on Shrove Tuesday (March 4th), why not celebrate both?! Perhaps invite your French friends and neighbours over to taste some English-style pancakes after indulging in French crêpes for La Chandeleur.

If you missed the abovementioned French Property Exhibition, don’t worry; we’ve got the next best things for French property hunters. Our next free webinar is devoted to Where to Start with Buying in France, and I’ll be joined by an expert panel that includes an estate agent, a French mortgage broker, a cross-border legal advisor, and a currency exchange specialist to go over all the basics and answer your questions live.

For this webinar, we’ll be focusing primarily on our UK audience (although plenty of the information will be relevant to all buyers), but if you live in the US and Canada, don’t worry – we’ve got a similar event planned for you coming up in April – we’ll have more details closer to the time, but you can already sign up here.

If you want to make 2025 the year that you find your dream French property, then make sure to sign up!

Sign up for our free Where to Start with Buying in France – UK webinar here!

 Our first experience of this fabulous, shared meal experience was when our friends invited us for ‘Raclette.’ We had no clue what it was! Our children had some strange ideas about little pans and cheese as they had just been on their first-ever skiing trip with their French primary school, but we remained in the dark.

The word “raclette” comes from the French word “racler,” meaning “to scrape”. Essentially, Raclette has its origins in mountain regions, and the hearty dish was designed to keep you nourished and stocked up on calories needed to expend on the slopes or in the cold weather. Raclette originated in the Swiss Alps, where herders would melt cheese over an open fire and scrape (racler) it onto their bread or potatoes. This tradition has presumably evolved over time into a popular dish in Switzerland, spreading to France and now enjoyed all over the world. Rick Stein has featured it on his French travels, too, with some epic theatrical restaurant experiences for true raclette cheese lovers.

You will need a raclette machine which can be purchased online or in a French supermarket from as little as thirty euros. We bought a cheap version to try – as we weren’t sure whether it would be a success in our family. However, we soon invested in a fancier version as it is used every year and has become a family favourite and a crowd-pleaser when we have guests over winter. There’s a hot plate, and individual little frying pans sit beneath a grill.

Ingredients:

• Sliced raclette cheese – go for quality; you can taste the difference
• Boiled potatoes
• Eggs
• Charcuterie – whatever you fancy.
• Crispy green salad
• Plenty of pain – sliced or to tear

We always need an extension lead, too!

Preheat the raclette machine (here’s why you may need an extension lead, as raclette machines do not have very long wires in our experience!) and open a couple of windows just a little, as it can get smelly after a while.

Pop a piece of raclette cheese into your own little pan, throw a slice of charcuterie on the hot plate and have everything on the table for family and guests to help themselves. Wait until the cheese has melted and your meat is cooked, then pour over your potatoes, charcuterie, etc. Serve with a crunchy salad and a crisp white or a nice red – either works. Our children love to pop an egg in the pan on top of some cheese, too!

Bon appetit!

We covered the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in a recent News Digest. The new online authorization, which works similarly to the US ESTA, has been in place for all American, Australian, and other non-EU/EEA citizens for just two weeks now, but there are already a couple of changes. Firstly, the UK has announced a change to the rule that required transiting passengers to apply (and pay for) an ETA. This requirement has now been waived, with a “temporary exemption” applying to passengers whose flights connect in London without passing through UK border control. Whether or not this will be permanently adopted remains to be seen.

Secondly, and more controversially, a new proposal has been made to raise the fee for an ETA from £10 to £16 – a more than 50% rise. This proposal hasn’t yet been approved, but if you need to apply for an ETA for an upcoming trip, it might be prudent to do this sooner rather than later! You can find out more and apply for your ETA here.

The ETA will become mandatory for all travellers to the UK from April 2^nd, 2025.

There’s a rare bit of good news concerning household bills across France this week, as France’s Energy Regulatory Commission announced an expected 15% drop in electricity bills from February 1st. It’s the first time since 2015 that prices have gone down, and it could bring annual savings of hundreds of euros, especially for households that use electricity for water, heating, and cooking.

The new rates will only apply to those on France’s regulated tariffs, but often, the market price follows suit, so those on unregulated tariffs may also see a drop.

There’s less than one week to go until our most popular event of the year – the French Property Exhibition! Wherever you are in your journey of buying in France, whether on the hunt for the perfect property or still in the dreaming phase, this is a must-attend event. Nowhere else has all the experts and estate agents under one roof, ready to answer your questions and present thousands of properties for sale. It’s our longest-established property show and has been running for over 30 years, so we must be doing something right!

The 2025 French Property Exhibition, London, will be held on the 25th and 26th of January at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith.

If you do make it to the event, please come and say hi! I’ll be there along with the whole team from FrenchEntrée, French Property News, and France Media Group, and I’ll also be hosting our first-ever FrenchEntrée Members panel interview featuring a hand-picked selection of experts to answer your frequently asked questions LIVE!

Here’s a sneak-peek at the panel:

Debbie Nye, Property & Relocation Advisor, FrenchEntrée Members

• Buying property
• Moving to France
• French Tax

Ginny Mimault Independent real estate agent, IAD France

• French property
• The buying process

Arthur Cutler, Founder & Director, Navigate France

• Moving to France
• French administration
• Building/renovations

Thomas Nivert, Director, Societe2Courtage

• French mortgages
• Non-resident loans & financing

We’ll be covering topics including buying property, tax, mortgages, and moving to France, and if you want our panellists to answer your question, you can send me an email at zoe@frenchentree.com (note: this is a live seminar, so please try to keep questions as concise and to the point as possible!)

Sign up for your free tickets here or by clicking the button below.

MPs headed back to the Assemblée Nationale (AN) yesterday (Monday, January 13th) for the first parliamentary sessions of 2025, and this afternoon (Tuesday, January 14th), Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to deliver his first general policy statement. The road forward for Bayrou isn’t an obvious one, with the country still undecided on a 2025 Budget and the need to find a compromise between France’s highly divided left and right parties even more crucial.

Bayrou finds himself in the unenviable position of balancing the left’s push for concessions over Macron’s controversial pension reforms with the need to address the country’s spiralling deficit and maintain the support of the right. With the pressure on for Bayrou to find a solution that appeases both sides – lest he face the same fate as predecessor Barnier – negotiations are expected to continue right up until the PM’s address. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

There’s good news for up to nine million French households this week, as tax credits are due to be paid out from tomorrow – Wednesday, January 15th. These payments are not rebates; instead, they are advance payments to cover the tax credits allowed for certain types of tax-deductible expenses, such as hiring a gardener, clearing, or childminder. These expenses can be declared on your annual tax return, and a tax credit can be issued to allow for the deductible percentage of these expenses. If you have previously declared such expenses, then this figure will be used to estimate your tax credit for 2025, and an advance payment will be issued.

The payments are typically paid directly into the bank account associated with your online French tax account, and the average amount is €639, which is sure to be a welcome addition to your post-Christmas bank balance.

Hot on the heels of RyanAir’s announcement that it’s closing its base at Bordeaux, rival low-cost airline Easyjet has confirmed that it will close its base at Toulouse airport this year. From April 2025, more than half of the EasyJet flight routes from Toulouse-Blagnac airport will be stopped, with the remaining routes subject to reductions in flights per week.

However, the airline has insisted that it will continue to fly to and from Toulouse, with 10 flight routes still set to run throughout summer 2025. These include domestic flights to Nantes, Lyon, Nice, and Paris-Orly, as well as UK flights to London Gatwick and Bristol. The full timetables haven’t yet been released, so if you do plan to fly to Toulouse using EasyJet, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on the schedules.

If you’ve spent 2024 dreaming of buying a French property or one day making the move to France, and you’re ready to take those dreams to the next step, don’t miss out on our French Property Exhibition in London this January. Packed with expert stands, live seminars and free goodies, it’s the place to get inspired and put your questions to the experts.

 The French Property Exhibition, London, will be held on the 25th and 26th of January at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith. It’s our longest-established property show and has been running for over 30 years. Of course, I’ll be there along with the whole team from FrenchEntrée, French Property News, and France Media Group, and I’ll also be hosting our first-ever FrenchEntrée Members panel interview featuring a hand-picked selection of experts to answer your frequently asked questions LIVE!

Send me your questions!

We’ll be covering topics including buying property, tax, mortgages, and moving to France, and if you want our panellists to answer your question, you can send me an email at zoe@frenchentree.com (note: this is a live seminar, so please try to keep questions as concise and to the point as possible!)

Don’t forget to sign up for your free tickets here or by clicking the button below.

An international driving licence (IDP) is essentially a ‘translation’ of your current French driving permit that may be required to drive overseas.

An IDP is recognised in 186 countries around the world and can smooth the bureaucracy when renting a car as it is automatically recognised. The IDP should still always be accompanied by the original licence.

If you currently live in France and have exchanged your overseas licence for a French licence, Whether or not you will need an international driving licence to drive overseas depends on the rules of the country in question. You won’t need an IDP to drive in the UK, the US, and EU and EEA countries; however, other countries may require an international licence or a certified translation into the local language.

Find out more about the international permit requirements here.

If you have a French or EU licence, you can apply for an international driving permit via ANTS.

1/ Sign in or create an account on ANTS (Agence Nationale des titres sécurisés) – you can use the same account used when you applied for your French licence.

2/ Click on “Demander un permis international”

3/ Fill in the form and add the required supporting documents. You’ll need to provide your ID, proof of address, your current driving licence, and proof of French residence, such as your titre de Sejour.

4/ Confirm the process by sending the requested additional documents by post. You’ll need to provide a passport-style photograph, the printed form issued after making the online application, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope (signed-for delivery).

6/ The process can take up to four months and your licence will be sent via post. You can follow the progress of your request in your ANTS space.

Find out more about the application process here.

Bon route!