France - Common Problems and Solutions

More and more people are moving abroad, with France being one of the most popular destinations. However, moving to another country is a big step and it is not uncommon to encounter problems. Based on our years of experience of working with people moving to France (and in some cases moving back), we've developed the following list of the most common issues with moving to France, along with our suggestions.

1 - Language

Many people who move to France speak little or no French, which not only makes various activities more difficult, but can result in a certain amount of social isolation. However, there are a number of easy and inexpensive (often free) ways to avoid these issues. Click on the following for information:

• Language Issues. A discussion of the various issues, from finding a property to actual living in France.

• French Language Solutions. What you can do to avoid (or minimize the issues). Includes tips for obtaining free translation services.

• Learn French. If you would like to learn French, our guide to the most effective approaches.

2 - Taxes

The French government provides an extensive set of services. The social net is substantial and the medical system has been ranked (by the World Health Organisation) as the best in the world. However, this has to be paid for and consequently taxes in France can be high. Like most other countries, there are many different types of taxes (e.g. VAT, alcohol tax, tobacco tax, petrol or gasoline tax, and so on). However, the ones which are probably most important to consider are:

• Inheritance Taxes. There are two main issues with inheritance in France. The first is that French law states that each of your close family relatives are entitled to a share of your inheritance, which means that you cannot necessarily leave your money and property to whom you wish. The second is that the tax rate on inheritance can be high, depending on circumstances. For a general overview, click on France Inheritance Tax.

• Income tax. Depending on your personal circumstances, your income tax rate in France may be higher that what you are used to or it may be lower. In general, if you are single and a high earner, you will pay high taxes. Alternatively, if you have a moderate income and a large family to support, your tax rate should be quite low due to the extensive tax breaks. A complex area which requires specialist advice based on your individual circumstances.

• Property tax. Both property tax and habitation tax are related to the value and location of your property. The value in many cases is based not on the actual value but on the size (square feet or square meters of floor space). Consequently, while you may be able to buy a large but run-down property relatively cheaply, make sure first that you can afford the taxes on it.

3 - Employment

Obtaining employment in France can be difficult, especially if you do not speak fluent French. For good jobs there are often a large number of fully qualified French applicants, so employers seldom need to hire foreigners. Furthermore, French employers place an exceptionally high emphasis on language skills, so even if you are fluent in French, an accent or small grammar errors can easily exclude one from a position where there are other applicants with perfect French, regardless of one's other qualifications.

Secondly, while the cost of living in generally lower in France than in the UK, salaries are often lower as well. Unless you already have a job before moving to France, do not assume that you will benefit from the lower cost of living in France while retaining a UK-level salary.

Of course, if you are retiring to France or are independently wealthy, this is not an issue. However, if you are dependent on employment in France, you may wish to rent a property rather than buy, until you have secured a job. This way, if you are unable to find work or if you need to move to find work, you are not tied to a large investment in a property. Furthermore, if finding work takes longer than expected, you have more capital to live on.

If you are unable to find employment, you may wish to consider setting up your own business. If you happen to choose an area where there are many other ex-pats, you may be able to set up a successful business serving other English-speakers. In addition to the trades (e.g. building), many English ex-pats set up a small holiday business (e.g. gites) or small estate agencies aimed at the foreign market. Keep in mind that if you are setting up your own business, the choice of area is important; for example, running a successful gite business is best done in tourist areas where there is not excessive competition from comparable facilities.

4 - Family and Friends

Moving to France doesn't necessarily mean losing contact. In addition to holiday visits, there is always the telephone, EMAIL and cheap flight offers. With the extension of France's high-speed railway network over the next few years, taking the train between the UK and France is increasingly a quick connection. Also, one makes new friends and acquaintances in France.

However, the distance makes visits more expensive, time-consuming (for travel) and less frequent. If one has close ties, this can be difficult. Some people find that as they settle into France, they make friends and are comfortable in their new community. Others find that, even with time, separation (whether it be family, friends, community, country, etc.) is difficult and some consequently decide to move back. This can be more difficult for some family members than others and it sometimes happens that the family has split views on whether to stay in France or not. This is particularly so if some members make the effort to learn French and integrate into the community and others do not. To avoid problems, it is best if the move to France is a joint family decision, based on frank and honest discussion, with a realistic view of whether the benefits of France outweigh the disadvantages of living abroad.

5 - General Financial

Although France is in many ways less expensive than the UK and some other countries, it is easy when planning the move to France to be overly optimistic. Drawing up a detailed budget in advance can introduce a useful note of realism. There are also a few simple tricks to saving money, which can reduce one's monthly expenses up to 10%.

Your Experiences

Do you have any experiences (positive or negative) that you would like to share on our site reference your move to France? If so, please Contact Us.