France Finance and Legal

France is the UK’s most popular destination for overseas property ownership; it offers a way of life that many find idyllic, a climate which offers warm sunny summers and mild winters, French proper...Read more

The newly elected centre right government lead by President Nicolas Sarkozy, presented its first state budget yesterday and included estimated tax cuts of 9 billion euro (US$12.7 billion). These cut...Read more

France is one the most popular destinations for overseas home ownership due not only to the ease of getting there but the promise of the French way of life. There is a wide choice of property availabl...Read more

The French government introduced a property leaseback scheme (rental guarantee scheme) many years ago to boost tourism and the holiday rental market - and they have recently made a number of changes t...Read more

If you are considering using a Mortgage to finance the purchase of an apartment, town house or Villa in France, French Mortgages are available for buying a property in France (incl Corsica), with...Read more

Will information in France The best way to get advice on wills is to contact the British embassy for France to find a reliable English speaking lawyer who will probably be able to give you a quo...Read more

Important emergency phone numbers for France… Medical – samu 15 Police – gendarme 17 Fire – pompier 18 Sea or lake rescue – 1616 Child Abuse – 119 Homeless – 115 Drugs and a...Read more

Banking in France Banks in some parts of France do offer facilities in English. The major banks in France are… • AXA Banque and Bank Accord (online banking services) • Banque Populaire • Barcl...Read more

Cash machines (ATMs) are commonplace in France like the UK. A UK debit card will work at most ATM machines in France. Look for the banking symbols such as the mastered logo as this inform you whether ...Read more

If you are buying property in France - or already have - then you may need to consider exporting a car to France. This can be difficult because your car will have to conform to French construction an...Read more

The currency used in France is the Euro.Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, ...Read more

Lawyers in France The British consulates-general in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Lille and Marseille have all drawn up lists of English speaking lawyers. Contact the relevant consulate for more information...Read more

Mortgages for buying properties in France. If you are using a mortgage to pay for your property in France then this must be declared at the time of agreement and a clause will; be added to the c...Read more

Pensions information in France You can claim state pension if you live outside the UK. However you will only receive the yearly index-linked increases and other benefits I.e. the Christmas bonus ...Read more

Buying Property in France - Property Purchase Procedure. A few quide lines about buying property in France: Q) How long does it take to close a sale, and transfer the ownership title of my property...Read more