As the summer draws to a close, it’s natural that at this time of year many people begin to long for a life filled with sunshine and relaxation.
A destination of choice for Brits looking to start a new life abroad has long been France. It’s world famous for its wonderful food, wine and beautiful countryside and its climate is generally much kinder than that of the UK. Plus, it’s not too far away to be able to come back regularly to visit friends and family.
Every year we help families from throughout the UK move to their dream homes in France. We carry out removals to France from beginning to end – never subcontracting any elements – so you can be confident your furniture and belongings is always in the very safest of hands.
From more than three decades of experience, we’ve learnt a thing or two about moving to France. Here are some top tips for anyone looking to make a move across the Channel in the near future, which will hopefully make your relocation easier.
It may sound obvious, but don’t assume you’ll be able to get by on your high school French or by purchasing a phrasebook. If you take the time to brush up on the French language before you leave, not only will you find it easier to settle in and feel at home, but your new friends and neighbours will appreciate your efforts. Don’t worry if you’re not fluent – when you’re around people speaking the language all the time you’ll perfect it in no time.
At Andrew Porter Limited we employ French speaking crews who will ensure your move to France goes without a hitch.
There are plenty of overseas property websites and these are a good place to start to get a feel for budgets and the type of location you would like to move to. But, as with property sites in the UK, pictures can sometimes be misleading, so it’s vital to visit your chosen area in person and spent a good amount of time getting to know the place before you make a move.
Whether you’re renting or buying in France, be prepared to seek expert legal advice before signing any contracts. It’s the sensible thing to do to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting, but of course it comes at a cost.
Different processes will be involved depending on whether you’re purchasing a property, or renting a furnished or unfurnished home, which are independently covered by different French laws. This isn’t something you want to take a risk on. Get estimates on what legal fees are likely to cost you and make sure you know precisely what you will receive for your money.
If you’re planning on driving when you move to France, make sure you don’t fall foul of local traffic rules and regulations.
Firstly, if you have a UK photocard driving licence then it’s fully valid for you to drive in France. However, learning the rules of the road isn’t quite so straightforward. Take your time to get a feel of local driving habits and be cautious. Here’s a useful guide to French road signs to get you started.
You’ll also need to ensure you carry a warning triangle, hi-vis vest, spare bulbs and breathalysers with you to conform with French laws. Keep in mind as well that France has a large number of toll roads so make sure you keep cash with you on longer journeys.
It’s easy enough to take your UK-registered car with you to France should you wish to keep it. We can provide car shipping services if you require it transporting. But you’ll need headlamp convertors and a GB sticker. You could also choose to buy a new car in France – and you’ll be pleased to hear that in general fuel costs are more reasonable than in Britain.
Many people choose to take their beloved pets along with them when they move abroad, but there are always strict rules you’ll need to comply with to move your pets safely.
When it comes to dogs, cats and ferrets, you’ll need to make sure the animals have a ISO 11784/11785 standard microchip (or bring your own microchip scanner if the chip does not meet this standard). After being microchipped your pets require a rabies vaccination, at least 22 days prior to entering France. Dogs also need to be vaccinated against distemper, and be aware that import of certain dog breeds is restricted. All vaccinations will be recorded in the EU pet passport.
Rules regarding pet health certification vary dependent on when you and your pets will be entering France. Make sure to check with immigration authorities as to the latest guidelines. There are also additional requirements should you be bringing more than five pets into the country.
If you’re entering France by air, pets can be brought in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo.
You’ll need to make sure your pet carrier is IATA approved for the safety and comfort of your pet.
Make sure to check individual requirements for immigration of pets other than cats, dogs or ferrets.
Average wages, taxes, cost of groceries, healthcare and other essentials are all different in France to the UK. Have you done the sums to work out if you can afford a life across the Channel?
If you’re relying on a pension for income make sure you take into account fluctuations in exchange rate. And if you want to work in France, do you have a job lined up? It’s not practical to simply hope you’ll find a job when you arrive. Assuming your language skills are up to scratch (spoken and written) you’ll face stiff competition from locals. It’s advisable to have a job arranged before you make the move.
Put together a worst-case-scenario plan to make sure you can support yourself, should the worst happen.
Find out as much as you can about live in France before you make the big move. What better way to do this than by reading about people’s personal experiences or asking ex-pats directly. There are numerous online forums and blogs where people write about their experiences of moving abroad and share advice. Make full use of these. Social media sites are also great tools for finding insights, particularly to find out more details about your chosen location.
Leave nothing to chance and make sure you make all the necessary checks before leaving for your new life abroad.
Moving to France is a huge step and a great adventure, but you’ll never really find out what it’s like until you try it.
Accept that there will be a period of culture shock and that it will take time to adjust to a new way of life and make new friends. But if you decide France is not for you, you can always move back to Blighty. We help hundreds of ex-pats make the move back home every year to begin their next stage of life’s journey.
Whatever you decide, make the most of it and enjoy every moment.
Bonne chance!
This information is intended as a guide only and full checks on the latest immigration requirements and import restrictions should be carried out before your move.
