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 18th March 2010
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Retiring to France For people retiring to France one of the biggest concerns is finance; in this zone we have a number of stories on how to handle your pension, savings and investments and the impact of France's wealth tax. France's legal system can also effect your new life - check out out information on whether you will be affected by France's succession laws, and in particular their impact on your will. We also have information on opening a French bank account, affliating to the French health system, setting up a home and finding an artisan to do it up plus everyday language phrases and tips on finding a removal firm. If you're still on the hunt for a property, FrenchEntrée also has plenty of advice and properties for you to take a look at. Check out our complete Property Buying Guide. Hot Topics on life in FranceWhat our Topic Hosts have got in store...Renovation & Decoration What to think about when doing up your homeEducation  Advice for parents and children going to school in FranceHealthcare in France  Helping you navigate the French health systemLe Gastrozone .jpg){kind=small} Your guide to buying & preparing good French foodGite Business  Can you make a living from holiday accommodation?Vegetarian France  Help and advice on PCs, telephones, satellite and the internet in France.Still looking for your dream retirement home...?.....then consult our huge property data base, which has many different styles and types of property from all over France. Not sure where to look? Check out our guide to the different French regions and what they have to offer.FRENCH PHRASES FOR EVERY DAY LIFEFrench vocabulary for when you need help...In an Emergency At the doctor At the dentist At the hairdresser Seasonal greetings Buying a property Shopping for clothes & shoes Grocery & other shopping At the post office At a hotel Asking directions Travelling on public transport At the bank In a restaurant Car rental and road signs Writing letters The Weather Living in France Newsletter ArchiveAre you living in France or thinking of moving to France? Keep up to date with all the latest stories from our Living in France section. Sign-up for our free newsletter or visit our newsletter archive to view previous newsletters. |
Retiring to France
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 Retiring to France but unsure what to do about tax? Duncan Campbell of Siddalls has some handy hints for before and after your move. Read more.
New inheritance laws passed
 Under French law you cannot necessarily leave your assets to who you choose. But new laws are more flexible. Find out more
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There is a lot of planning to do on making the move to France, part of this should be to organise your finances so that your future wealth is protected and you can truly get down to enjoying the French life, free from the worry of money problems...
It is just over three years since UK pensions rules were ‘simplified’, on the 6th April 2006 (known as ‘A’ day) where all the previous pension legislation was swept away, and a new regime was introduced. Here's a review of those changes...
Fine wine, exquisite cheeses, access to one of the best healthcare systems in the world… and a totally different taxation system await you.
QROPS were introduced in April 2006 as a means to allow individuals with UK pension funds to transfer their pension funds abroad....
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The French have always welcomed the British becoming resident in their country but they have just made this welcome even warmer by offering a significant tax break to all new residents...
Retiring to France is a dream that many share. However, because France is viewed as a high tax jurisdiction many are put off when it comes to taking the plunge. We look at how spending your golden years in France can actually work to your financial advantage...
If so, you may have been faced with some testing issues over the last few months... For those who have retired to France there is a necessity to make the most of their ongoing currency transactions, and maximise the potential of their UK pension. Experts from Moneycorp explain how their RPP can help.
As a consequence of the weak pound, some pensioners in France are receiving UK pensions so low that they are now eligible for French government financial aid.
French taxes are renowned for being high, what with income tax and social charges on all forms of income, as well as an annual wealth tax. However, although the headline rates sound high (52.1%!), it is often unlikely that a retiree would have to pay such high taxes.
There are a number of issues you may need to take advice on before you move, and when living in France. Here are a couple of case studies which highlight some of the financial issues that Siddalls have helped expats with.
The gloomy headlines and the strong Euro may be making some people planning to retire abroad think twice. New figures by Siddalls, specialist independent financial advisers, show that household costs are less than a 1/3 of those in the UK and your money still goes a lot further than you might think in France.
If you are approaching retirement, and looking to draw an income from your UK personal pensions, there are several options. Robert Brealey, a pensions specialist at financial experts Siddalls, takes a look – including ways to avoid being hit by currency fluctuations
The good news is that tax-free lump sums from the UK are not currently taxed in France; the bad news is that this might be about to change. David Franks of Blevins Franks explains.
Many Britons are thinking of moving to live in France when they retire. Here Robert Brealey of tax experts Siddalls looks at the options for people who are resident in France but are living – or intending to live - on a UK personal or state pension
As David Anderson, solicitor and chartered tax adviser at Sykes Anderson LLP explains, the tax status of your UK pension in France can be a more complicated issue than it first appears
Many people who move to France have investments in the UK. David Franks of Blevins Franks looks at what the tax implications are for such investments and explains what happens with Premium Bonds winnings if you are tax resident in France
Lawyer Sarah Bright Thomas warns that French wealth tax can affect a surprisingly large number of people – though new rules in 2007 may help Britons to reduce the burden for a limited period
One thing that anyone buying property in France needs to be aware of is French succession law...it is very different from the way things happen in Britain
While you will be familiar with home and car insurance, in France you also have to know about civil liability and other policies that may be new 
Proper healthcare cover is a must-have when retiring to France. While some retirees will be able to affiliate into the French healthcare system, others will be legally obliged to take out private health insurance
The French health system, while expensive to run, is one of the best in the world. Here's what you need to do to access is whether you're retired in France or own a holiday home here...
Frances and David Wilkinson retired to France in 2006 and love their new life which is full of new things as well as more time, less stress and good friends - French and British. Read their inspiring stories...
Moving to France is a big step whatever age you are. But there are some issues that are more like to affect those retiring or planning to retire. Psychologist Elaine Douglas gives advice on what to expect and how to deal with it.
Resident and non-resident account? Current or Deposit? These questions answered, plus information on everything else you need to know about opening a bank account in France.
The physical act of moving to France can seem daunting, even if you’ve moved home several times before. Here James Tennant, director of Movecorp.co.uk, gives some practical advice 
Unfortunately today in France there are a number of unscrupulous artisans, a number of them British. To help you find the artisan who will help you realise your dream of living in France - rather than wreck it - Topic Host Karen Johnson gives some advice on choosing an artisan, as well as what to do if it does go wrong. 
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