The 1st May is la Fête du Travail (Labor Day) – possibly the only public holiday in France where almost everything is closed for the day! On this date, it is French tradition for Muguet (Lily of the Valley) flowers, a symbol for the month of May, to be given to friends and loved ones.

When you are looking to renest in France, chances are you will be a renter at some point. Even if you intend to purchase a home in France, unless you are already familiar with a location, we recommend renting before buying. Renestance has helped many people find their first rental in France, so here are a few insights to help you understand how rentals work here.

April marks the opening of the Micro-Entreprise social charges (cotisations sociales) declaration period for the first quarter of 2021.

Something that will eventually become second nature might at first seem quite daunting. The language barrier, as well as the idiosyncrasies of the online process, might have you wondering how on earth you will ever manage. So here is a step-by-step guide to help you through your first (quarterly) declaration.

As we all know, the UK has completely left the European Union…so what are the implications for the British who have a second home in France, or wish to continue enjoying time in France?

As a ‘third country’ visitor post-Brexit, you can now only spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa*.

If you want to spend more time in France, you have two general options: you can apply in advance for a visa for each extended stay; or unlock unlimited freedom of movement by becoming French resident.

This article addresses the case of ‘inactive residents’ or Britons not intending to work or be self-employed in France.

Enjoying longer stays in France, without working

If you wish to spend 6 months or more per year in France, you can apply for a temporary visitors’ visa – VLS-T – with the mention ‘visiteur‘ (visitor). This gives you the right to enter/exit France as you wish and stay between 4 and 12 months. The typical “Schengen Visa” which limits the stay to 90 days in any 180 day period. These temporary visas cannot be renewed in France, and you must return home to reapply at its expiration.

Do not confuse this temporary visitors’ visa with a long stay visitor visa allowing residency – the VLS-TS. You would apply for the latter if you have decided to make France your main residence (i.e. move here definitively), regardless if you plan to be in France full- or part-time. The French embassy or consulate puts this visa in your passport, and when you arrive in France, you validate it online with OFII and receive an appointment for a medical examination. After completing the validation and transforming the visa to a residency permit (titre de séjour), you can renew it annually in France.

To obtain a long-stay visitor visa, you must:

• Prove you have “sufficient” annual income to support yourself and any dependents
• Show a steady address in France for the duration of your stay
• Have adequate private health insurance cover for France (noting that you have the right to apply to join the state health system after three months’ stable residency)
• Apply at the relevant embassy or consulate in the UK in advance of moving
• Eventually, if applicable, register as a tax resident in France and meet your French fiscal obligations

Fiscal Residency

There is a lot of confusion about residency in terms of immigration and fiscal residency. In this article, we are discussing residency related to immigration, or your legal right to stay in France. Whether or not you are considered a fiscal resident of France, meaning you must declare your global income to the French tax authorities (not necessarily pay tax on it to France, however!) is determined by many different factors. The most common determinant is how much time you spend on French territory. If you spend over 183 days in the calendar year in France, you will most likely be considered a fiscal resident. Note: if you plan to join the state healthcare system, or benefit from French tax credits, you must be a French fiscal resident.

Visa & Carte de séjour applications

Renestance can guide you through your initial visa request (online – it’s easy). If you have decided to come here to live permanently and obtained a VLS-TS, we can help you validate it once you’re here, book your medical examinations, apply to enter the health service, apply for a driving license exchange (dependent on a yet-to-be- set Anglo-Franco agreement) and then help with your visa renewal to get your actual card version Carte de Séjour after one year’s residency.

And if you don’t already have a holiday home here, Renestance holds a French Real Estate license, so we can help you find and purchase your own little bit of France, or rent somewhere if you’d like to ‘try before you buy’!

Keep on top of the admin from across the miles

If you are unable to visit France or spend time here to sort out your paperwork, our Lifeline Support Service can help you remotely. Individual or bundled, this package gives you assistance and hands on support with any number of administrative tasks, ranging from car purchases, imports and registrations, to health insurance, business set-up and arranging new household installations.

Can we help?

If you are unsure of the documentation or steps you need to take to travel and enjoy time here, send us an email contact@renestance.com and we’ll get right back to you!

Finding your French dream home

If you are still planning a move to the Languedoc Roussillon, our VIP New Nest Service is designed with you in mind. This comprehensive full installation service starts with assisting you through the decision-making stage, and accompanies you all the way through to one year after your arrival in France. Take this free short survey to help get some clarity on your project!

* This 90-day limit applies across the EU (within the Schengen zone), so you cannot pause or reset your days by crossing the border to spend time in another country. Once you have used up your allowance you will not be permitted to enter another Schengen country without a visa until you have spent enough time outside the area. Anyone caught overstaying could risk deportation, fines and a record in their passport that can complicate future travel and visa applications.

Relevant links & reference articles:
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F302
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16162
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/brexit
https://www.thelocal.fr/20200922/how-long-can-british-people-stay-in-france-after-brexit-without-becoming-a-resident
https://www.french-property.com/guides/france/finance-taxation/taxation/liability-income-tax/residency-status
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Brexit/Why-can-UK-holiday-home-owners-not-spend-six-months-in-France

Moving to a new country there are so many new things to discover, and not just for us humans! If you are bringing your faithful four-legged companion to the south of France, here are some extra things you may find useful to know!

Since the pandemic began, the rules on entry into France are the strictest they have been, and at present virtually no travel is allowed into France from outside the EU.

The very short list of ‘vital reasons’ to travel includes vital work and the death of a close family member. Travel for the purposes of holidays, family visits or visits to second homes is not allowed.