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 and restrictions.
The information below is a basic guide as there can be different restrictions in different districts.
Contact your local DRIRE office, this is known as Diurction Regionale de L’Industrie, de la Recherche et de I’Environnement. They will send you a check list of the documents you require. These will include the following…
• Customs certificate or certificate de regularite fiscale. The document is for cars imported from an EU country. Take the original copy with you to the Centre d’Impots. You will also have to take the original copy of the bill of sale if necessary. The Centre d’Impot will advise you on any VAT or customs duty that may have to be paid.
• Manufacturers certificate of conformity or Attestation de Conformite. You can obtain this from the French importer or directly from the cars manufacturer. As you will need this document to export your car you may find it a difficult matter to process with cars that are old, classic or unusual.
• Proof of origin. You will need to provide proof of the country that you purchased the car from. A receipt or bill of sale can be used for this.
• VAT. You will have to provide evidence that VAT has been paid in the country which you purchased the car from.
• Registration Documents. You will be asked to provide the vehicle original registration documents and the relevant test certificate if the vehicle is over 4 years old. If you are importing your car you will have to pass the ‘controle technique’ at a vehicle test centre. This test checks the cars condition, identification, brakes, tyre, emission, noise levels, lights steering and chassis. Once this initial test has been carried out you will have to have your vehicle tested every 2 years.
• Proof of identity and residence in France.
• Registration request form. This is available from your local prefecture.
If you stay in France for more than three months then you will have to change the registration of your vehicle.
When you purchase a new car in France the dealer will arrange the issue of the Carte Grise for you. The Carte Grise is a French vehicle registration document. If you purchase a used car in France the Carte Grise will be void and you will have to apply for a new one within 15 days of buying the vehicle. The dealer should provide you with a certificate or note of sale you will need to provide this along with proof of residence when applying for your Carte Grise.
Car insurance
Car insurance for British motorists is likely to be considerably more expensive than your car insurance in the UK. Car insurers in France will only give a full no claims bonus if you have documentary proof that you have had 11 years of claim free driving. Most UK car insurance firms do not keep record for that long. Ensure that you bring as much documentary evidence as you can with you to France.
You should expect to pay around €1200 a year for car insurance. This is based on a good conditioned second hand car valued at around €8000.
If you can only prove a four year no claims bonus then you should add around €100 a month to this estimate.
If you would like more information about living, owning or buying a property in France, then please feel free to contact us.