Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-france
Change description : 2020-01-23 14:45:00: Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2019-10-16 08:11:26 +00:00..2020-01-23 15:29:52 +00:00
Guidance
Official information forBritish UKpeople nationals moving to and living in France need to know, including Brexit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.
This page tells you what to do ahead of the UK leaving the EU. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.
You should:
TheTo UKkeep isup leaving the EU. This page tells you how to preparedate forwith Brexitinformation andabout will be updated if anything changes. You should:Brexit:
The British Embassy regularly holds events across France for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in France after Brexit
You can also:
Check the entry requirements for France.
Before Brexit you can apply for a European carte de séjour at your local préfecture under the current system, although this is optional. If you have applied and your residency application has been refused, or you think it has been handled incorrectly by your préfecture, contact British Embassy Paris. You should include information about the issue, when the event took place, and which préfecture (département) it relates to. We will provide feedback to the French Ministry of the Interior and request improvements as necessary.
Many people are choosing to wait and apply to the post-Brexit system, which should be simpler and easier to complete (see below). This may be advisable,easier, in particular, if you cannot get an appointment at your prefecture,prefecture before the day the UK leaves the EU, or have not had an update on your EU carte de séjour application.
After Brexit, whether you have obtained a European carte de séjour or not, all UK nationals resident in France will need to obtain a new type of residence permit relevant to their situation to claim their rights. This includes UK nationals waiting for French nationality and UK nationals married to or PACsed to (in a civil partnership with) French nationals.
If there’s no deal, and you live in France on the day the UK leaves the EU, you will have a grace period of 1 year. During this period, you will retain your right of residence, and associated work and social rights. You must apply for your new residence card within 6 months of the day the UK leaves the EU, and you will receive it by the end of the 1-year grace period. The French government has said you will be able to travel outside of France while your application is being processed.
The French Prime Minister announced on 9 September 2019, that UK nationals will be able to apply for the new residence permitpermits via an online portal,. whichThis portal is currentlynow being updated, although live in an initial trial phase.
If there’s no deal, the card you are residentissued will depend on your personal situation. The specified categories are:
If there’s no deal new residence cards will cost €119. If you have lived in France for at least 5 years and hold a permanent carte de séjour prior to Brexit, you will be able to stay.exchange your current card for the new card (the fee still applies).
ReadThe the French government’sMinistry guidanceof Interior have detailed this information in an ordonnance and accompanying decree. You can read their question and answers on residency rights(in French) and their official guidance for UK nationals (in English).English)
We will update this page as more information becomes available.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from France.
See our travel advice for France and sign up to email alerts for up-to-date travel information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
After Brexit, the rules on travel will change. Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. YourYou’ll need to renew your passport shouldbefore betravelling validif foryou thedo proposednot durationhave ofenough time left on your stay;passport. youIf dothere notis needa anydeal, additionalnothing periodwill change until at least the end of validity2020. onDuring this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your passportUK beyondpassport. this.What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.
You’llIf needthere’s no deal, new travel rules will apply. You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to renewtravel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
If you renewed your current passport before travellingthe ifprevious youone doexpired, notextra months may have enoughbeen timeadded leftto its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport.passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
TheIf rulesthere’s onno traveldeal, UK nationals will staynot theneed samevisas untilfor theshort endstays ofelsewhere in the implementationEU. periodYou onwill 31be Decemberable 2020.to Duringstay thisup timeto you90 candays continuein toanother EU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180-day period. You must retain evidence of travel to(such countriesas train and plane tickets), in thecase Schengenthese areaare orrequested elsewhereby innational theauthorities. EUIf withyou yourhold UKa passport.
Weresidence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will updatebe theseable pagesto withtransit detailsthrough ofother anyEU, changesEEA or EFTA countries to thereach rulesyour ascountry soonof asresidence. informationThe isFrench available.authorities Youare shouldpreparing signto upstreamline border crossings for updatesUK tonationals thisresident guidance.
in France who will not have residence permits until the end of the 1-year grace period. Read the French government’s guidance on travel after Brexit.
You must register for healthcare as a resident in France, and in addition, you can sign up for top-up health insurance (mutuelle). Read the NHS guidance on who is able to access healthcare in France, and how to register.
If you are legally resident in France, you can get a French social security card for healthcare (carte vitale). To get a French social security card, you will need to register with your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM). They can tell you which documents they need for your registration. Top-up insurance cover (mutuelle) also exists to cover the cost of healthcare not covered by a Carte Vitale.
If you have been resident in France for more than 3 months you can apply to be covered by the French healthcare system (PUMA).
If you are resident in France, you must not use an EHIC from the UK for healthcare in France.
When you travel from France for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
If you live in France and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
Read the NHS guidance on France.
If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.
You should check your prescriptions are legal in France.
You can find information on mental health in France.
ThereIf there is a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in France will beremain the same until the end of the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in France.
If there’s no changesdeal, your access to healthcare is likely to change. You must take action now to ensure you have the necessary healthcare cover in order to apply for your new residency status during the 6 month application window following exit day.
If you currently have your healthcare accesscosts beforepaid 31for Decemberby 2020.the YouUK government, we can alsohelp continueif you are asked to usepay yourfor EHIC,treatment asduring the first 6 months after Brexit. To organise a payment, you didmust before,give duringyour thishealthcare time.provider’s details to the NHS Business Services Authority’s Overseas Healthcare Services.
IfFollowing you’renew livinglegislation, the French government has indicated that if there’s no deal, UK pension holders with an S1 that are resident in France orbefore moveBrexit therewill permanentlycontinue beforeto 31be Decemberentitled 2020,to you’llhealthcare havefor life-longup to 2 years on equal terms to local healthcare rightsusers, while we negotiate a longer-term agreement.
Healthcare entitlements from employment in France asshould younot dobe now,affected.
The providedFrench Government has indicated that your EHIC will no longer be valid if there’s no deal.
If you remainreturn resident.to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.
Read the NHS guidance on healthcare for UK nationals in France and studyinghow it may change after Brexit.
Read our guidance on working in another EU country.
To apply for a job you may need to provide a:
YouIf maintainthere is a deal, your right to work aswill longstay asthe yousame remainuntil residentthe inend France.of the implementation period.
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Afterleaves Brexit,the universityEU tuitionwill feeskeep intheir Franceright mayto increasework duefor toa theperiod Frenchof governmentone reformsyear towhilst publictheir universityapplication tuitionfor feesa forresidence allcard non-EUis students.in Increasedprocess fees(read willour notresidency applyguidance). toIf UKyou studentsare alreadyliving enrolledand working in France on athe courseday ofthe studyUK whenleaves the reformsEU, werethis announcedresidence (Septembercard 2019)will forallow theyou durationto ofkeep thatyour course.right to work.
CheckRead withthe yourguidance granton providerproviding forservices anyafter continuedBrexit eligibilityif foryou’re studentplanning supportto (instart French)a andbusiness, readprovide thea guidanceservice, onor do a job in a regulated profession after Brexit.
You can look at the French government’s reformswebsite on tuitionworking fees.in France after the UK leaves the EU (in French).
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with France to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Read the guidance about:
You should get professional advice on paying tax in France. Find an English-speaking lawyer in France.
All residents must declare any assets held outside France, including bank accounts, securities, rights, insurance, annuities and property. This declaration is separate to the annual tax return.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
If the end date on your form is after 31 October 2019, you should contact the relevant EU, EEA or Swiss authority to confirm whether you need to start paying social security contributions in that country after 31 October, as well as UK National Insurance contributions.
Find out more about social security contributions after a no-deal Brexit.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxationdouble taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in France. You should direct individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
YouIf willthere’s needno deal, it may become more expensive to telluse theyour UK governmentbank officescard thatin dealFrance. withRead yourmore benefits,about pensionusing anda taxbank ifcard, youinsurance areor movingother orfinancial retiringservice abroadin the EU.
ThereYou will beneed no changes before 31 December 2020 to thetell rules on claiming the UK Stategovernment Pensionoffices inthat thedeal EU,with EEAyour orbenefits, Switzerlandpension asand atax resultif ofyou theare UKmoving leavingor theretiring EU.abroad.
If you retire in France, you can claim:
You can read the French government’s guidance on French social security including pensions.
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible - your payments may be suspended if you don’t. Or you can ask your local town hall (mairie) to fill in a French life certificate (certificat de vie) (in French) instead.
YouThe canUK government will continue to receivepay youra UK State Pension ifto youthose liveeligible in the EU,EU EEAafter orBrexit. SwitzerlandYour and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
IfPension you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will getbe your UK State Pension uprated everyin yearApril for2020, as2021 longand as2022 you continue to live there. This will happen even if you startlive claimingin yourthe pensionEU, onEEA or afterSwitzerland.
Read 1our Januaryguidance 2021,on aspensions longif asthere’s youno meet the qualifying conditions.deal.
If youthere areis livinga indeal Franceand by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in France, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your French pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in France. You can:
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC, if you are asked for this.
For French unemployment benefits, you should:
Contact the Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées (MDPH) (in French) about disability allowance – there are several disability allowances so it’s best to seek advice from them before applying.
To apply for child allowance, family income support, single-parent allowance or housing allowance, contact the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) (in French) if you need help applying, request an appointment with the social worker at your local town hall (mairie).
IfThe youUK aregovernment living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receivepay anythe UK benefitsState youPension, alreadychild receive.benefits, Thisand willdisability continuebenefits forto asthose longeligible asin youthe liveEU thereafter andBrexit.
If meetthere allis othera eligibilitydeal requirements.
Ifand you work and pay social security contributions in France, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for French contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.
If there’s a no deal, the French government has proposed that they will continue to take periods of work in the UK before Brexit into account when claiming certain French contributions-based benefits. We will update this guidance when an agreement is reached.
If there’s no deal, the French government has also said that UK nationals with less than five years residence who receive the Revenu de Solidarite Active (RSA) prior to the UK’s exit from the EU will be able to continue receiving the RSA benefit for a period of a year. Eligible UK nationals with more than five years’ residence will also be able to continue receiving the benefit during the grace period and beyond.
Read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.
Currently, because of considerable delays in processing requests to exchange overseas driving licences for French ones, we recommend you do not seek to exchange your British driving licence for a French one. However you should proceed with your request if your licence:
In all other cases, if you are resident in France before the day the UK leaves the EU, you do not need to exchange your licence to drive legally in France. French authorities will continue to recognise your licence as before Brexit.
Centre d’Expertise et de Ressources des Titres (CERT) is being reorganised to deal with the backlog with delays which is currently at 8 to 12 months.
If you are in the process of exchanging your UK licence via CERT, do not try to renew in parallel with DVLA because this will invalidate your CERT application. Applications in the UK with a French address cannot be processed.
For information on driving in France, read the guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in France. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.
Please contact your local prefecture or read the French government’s guidance on driving in France with a foreign licence (in French).
DrivingIf there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same untilduring the implementation period (until 31 December 2020.2020).
If there’s no deal, and you are already resident in France on the day the UK leaves the EU, you will continue to be able to drive in France with your UK driving licence under the same conditions as any resident.
If there’s no deal, UK nationals moving to France after Brexit will have a 1-year period to exchange their UK driving licence for a French one.
Read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you’re resident in France, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.
After Brexit, youUK nationals will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European elections.
The French Ministry of the Interior have a website to help UK nationals living and working in France (in French) which covers voting.
If your child is born in France, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in France you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services in France
You may also need:
Read our guidance on:
CurrentYou petwill still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret after Brexit, but the rules will staychange. You thecan sameread untilguidance 31on Decemberpet 2020.travel to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.
While the UK is still an EU Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport. If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK. For moving pet travel.horses and other equines read guidance on exporting horses and ponies: special rules.
You can dial the European emergency number 112 in France, or dial:
Find the full list of emergency number in France.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault, you can find guidance on rape and sexual assault in France.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British embassy in Paris.
You should tell the French and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
You should tellread yourour localguidance Frenchon:
access taxto officebenefits (inand French)services thatin youthe areUK changingif addressthere andis a no deal
bringing your family to the dateUK
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bringing your localpet socialback securityto officethe UK
checking (inyour French)tax andstatus benefitafter officereturning you’reto leavingthe ifUK
You you’veshould beentell gettingyour unemploymentlocal benefitFrench tax office (in French) orthat childyou are changing address and housingthe benefitdate (inyou French).will leave.
If you get a UK State Pension, you must tell the International Pension Centre. If you get a French pension, contact your pension provider.
ReadYou’ll theneed guidanceto ontell returningyour tolocal thesocial UKsecurity permanentlyoffice which(in includesFrench) informationand on,benefit amongstoffice otheryou’re things,leaving tax,if accessyou’ve tobeen servicesgetting andunemployment bringingbenefit family(in members.
IfFrench) youor returnchild to the UK permanently and meethousing the ordinarily resident test,benefit you’ll(in be able to access NHS care without charge.French).
This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the French authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: changes in residency section on new online portal for residence permit applications; in travel section on the grace period; and on driving licences.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections
We have updated the "Residency and Visas" section of this guide, including our translation of the French government's website, as well as the "Driving in France" section.
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
We have announced new citizens outreach meetings in Poitiers (13/03), Paris (18/03) and Marseille (19/03).
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update: Revised the following sections of the Living in Guide: visas and residency, healthcare, money and tax, pensions and driving in France.
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving
Attached new informative note on name change
The French Ministry of Interior has recently launched a new website, brexit.gouv.fr. We have now translated three sections of their guidance into English on residency, UK driving licenses and elections.
We have added a new unofficial translation of the "elections" section of the French authorities's new website, Brexit.gouv.fr.
We have updated the section on "registration in France" to reflect the Ministry of Interior's latest advice and to provide you with a link to the recent website on Brexit published by the French authorities. We are also providing you with a non-official translation of their guidance.
EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
Added a link to sign up for the Embassy's newsletter, Voisins Voices, and added a link to the future citizens outreach meetings page in France.
New contact form added for questions about the carte de séjour application. Under Registration in France, section, added a link to useful information from the préfecture de Dordogne.
Addition of the top 10 questions on Brexit from UK nationals in France under the "Brexit: what you need to know" section. This Q&A was created by the British Embassy in Paris to answer the top 10 questions of UK nationals living and working in France.
Added in information about French registration
Additional information on visas and requirements, including on applying for "carte de séjour."
Updated June 2018
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
Added information re: French law requiring the carrying of ID at all times in France.
Added: support and guidance for British nationals experiencing mental illness in France
Added two new paragraphs re: Travel Advice and Lost Property.
Information added on changes to EHIC rules and health cover for early retirees.
Information added for Britons living in France on how to register to vote in the French municipal and European elections.
Life certificates information for UK state pension updated
First published.
2024-10-22 15:29
Update to EU Entry/Exit System (EES).Added – The EU plans to introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES). The exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed.
2024-10-08 17:10
Information on exemption from EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) has been updated.
2024-07-10 10:46
Added information about the new EU Entry /Exit System (EES). The information about driving in France has also been updated.
2024-02-02 14:54
Updated Residency and Travel sections with new links for minors’ residency and travel documents. Additional information on dependent family members.
2024-01-18 15:07
Information link added to reflect changes in overseas voting law.
2023-01-05 09:46
Healthcare section updated on how to register for state-sponsored healthcare and health insurance in France. Driving section updated on driving a French-registered vehicle in the UK.
2022-11-28 12:01
Updated guidance with public information services that can assist with accessing residency rights, information for minors (covered by the Withdrawal Agreement) entering France. and information about driving a UK registered car as a resident.
2022-07-28 15:45
Working and Healthcare sections updated to highlight requirements for signing up to the French Healthcare System if you have a French employment contract.
2022-03-31 08:12
Important information in the ‘Working in France’, and ‘National insurance’ sections if you work in France, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK. ‘Visas and Residency’ and ‘Passport and travel’ sections also updated.
2021-05-27 14:28
Update to Visas and residency on registering and checking status of application; update to Driving in France about driving licences; update in Accommodation on importing personal belongings
2021-03-03 12:47
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
2020-09-07 12:56
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-06-29 10:54
Visas and residency section updated to include the postponement of the residency application website, and information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-04-01 16:59
Updated information on education and university tuition fees in the working and studying section and new information on how to exchange a UK driving licence.
2020-02-07 07:31
New information on the online portal to register your residency which opens in July 2020.
2020-01-23 14:45
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-10-16 09:05
Brexit update: changes in residency section on new online portal for residence permit applications; in travel section on the grace period; and on driving licences.
2019-09-23 17:29
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 17:38
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-04-10 20:18
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections