Personal finance in France
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Personal Finance in France
Welcome to the FrenchEntrée's Personal Finance zone, your financial resource for French property and living in France.This zone has advice and guidance on topics such as opening a bank account in France, the credit and debit card system and savings and investments.
For information on buying euros and handling currency exchange for your property purchase see our Currency Zone.
And don't miss a step by looking at our Quick Overview of the steps you need to take to buy your French property.
Bank RIBs
Bemused by requests for a RIB? RIB stands for RELEVE D’IDENTITE BANCAIRE, meaning ‘statement of banking identity’, and these very useful documents. It is always a good idea to... more...How to use chèques d'emplois
VOCABULARY: What to say when in the bank
Abbreviation Dictionary
Many French admistrative organisations are known by their abbreviations. Here's a translated list of the most common ones more...Find them for me!
Click the links to find your suppliers
Foreign Currency Traders
Banks in France
Tax Advisers in France
Tax and Law Newsletter Archive
Are you looking to buy a new property in France?
Keep up to date with all the latest french tax and laws news. Sign-up for our free newsletter or visit our newsletter archive to view previous newsletters.
Editor's pick
In the midst of the global economic slowdown, our pockets may have never seemed so shallow. To help you out, our experts offer their financial advice. more...
Are good rates only available to French nationals?
No! Whether a person has French nationality or not has no bearing on the availability of investments in France, as Charlotte Sephton of CA Charente-Périgord explains
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Cheques, credit and debit cards in France
Credit cards are rarely used and therefore not always accepted in France - an issue for residents or those here just on holiday. If you plan to spend a lot of time in here, think about getting a Carte Bleue
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Credit Agricole Charente-Périgord Banking and Insurance
Crédit Agricole Charente-Périgord is here to help you with your banking and insurance needs. We have a dedicated team of bilingual advisors at Charente Périgord United who know just how important it is that you get the right advice for your banking and insurance needs in a language that you understand.
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Paying bills in France
Escaping to your dream home in France unfortunately doesn't mean escaping from paying the bills. The system, however, is not to dissimilar to that in the UK
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Online banking in France
More expats than ever before are turning to the web to manage their finances. The web is popular for banking because it is secure, convenient, easy to use, and puts you in control of your finances. This article outlines the benefits and options of online banking...
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Bank safely when you move to France
Jane Matthews of Abbey International offers some tips on safe banking in France, including how to protect against the danger of identity theft on and offline
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When you have a problem with your bank
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There is no banking Ombudsman as such in France. However, a free médiateur service can be used to try and find a satisfactory solution to a customer complaint...
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How to protect your finances when retiring to France
France is a popular place for people to move to when they retire. David Franks, chief executive of Blevins Franks, examines ways to look after your savings
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How to write a French cheque
Now that you have your French bank account here's a guide on what goes where on the cheque.more...
Make the most of your UK pension
It is now possible for expatriate Britons to export their pension funds out of the UK. Jane Goodall, Director, International Pensions, at Blevins Franks, explains how it works
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Claiming winter fuel allowance in France
Can you reside in France and still claim the British Government’s winter fuel allowance? The good news is that the answer is maybe – you could get between £100 and £300 to help pay your heating bills if you were born on or before 5 July 1951 – but there are a number of conditions and exceptions.
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Personal pensions – tax charge on death in drawdown
David Anderson and Graeme Perry of solicitors and chartered tax advisors Sykes Anderson highlight a hidden ‘stealth tax’ on UK personal pension schemes, and examine the implications for people resident in France
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Credit Agricole Charente-Périgord Bank and Insurance
Get the right advice for your French banking and insurance needs in a language that you understand thanks to our bilingual financial advisors. Call us on 0545 204 960.
English speaking banking services
Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France
Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.
Insure Your Holiday Home – In English
Insurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French home insurance in plain English - Get a quote.
Fed up of high UK taxation?
Tax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site explains more.
Innovation in Wealth Management
Fiscal, legal, mortgage, pension, investment and financial advice and services to French residents, those relocating here or those with assets in the hexagon, whatever their nationality. Qualified as Conseillers en Gestion de Patrimoine Indépendent, and with UK financial and IFA qualifications too. Find our more.
Expert French mortgage advice
Visit the mortgage zone for up-to-date information, FAQs and best buy French mortgages. Repayment and interest only French mortgages available.
Free International Money Transfers for Life
A great rate and no transfer fee for the life of your account! Make a no obligation enquiry to Moneycorp, FrenchEntrée’s currency partner and see how we can save you money. 
The best of France: the classiest food, culture, choicest properties and the most inspiring holiday and travel features. Subscribe for 6 months for only £5.
Save a Fortune on Currency Exchange
Whether you need advice or an international money transfer quote, FrenchEntree's currency partner - Moneycorp - can help. Visit the France currency exchange zone.
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