Retiring to France - A Guide

Visas & Residency

Non-EU citizens planning on retiring to France will need to apply for a long-stay visa. The process is simple - you can either apply online using the France-Visas website or via the French consulate in your country of residence. You should start your application no earlier than three months prior to your planned date of arrival in France.

Applying for a French long-stay visa costs €99. The long-stay visa is valid for a period between three months and one year.

The French long-stay visa offers the same benefits as the Schengen visa. This means you can move around and stay in Schengen areas outside of France for periods of up to 90 days during any period of 180 consecutive days. It’s a great option if you want to explore other parts of Europe during your retirement.

To apply for the long-stay visa, you will need:

• A valid passport.
• Proof of your health insurance policy.
• Details of the fixed address where you will be living.
• Evidence that you have the necessary finances to fund your retirement in France. This could be in the form of investments, income from rental properties or a private pension scheme.
• Evidence of a clean criminal record.

There are two types of long-stay visa. The long-stay visa with the obligation to apply for a residence permit (D-VLS) is usually issued for a period of 90 days. It will allow you to enter France, but you will need to visit the appropriate prefecture or sub-prefecture to apply for a residence permit within two months of your arrival. If you’re living in Paris, you’ll need to visit the police headquarters to apply for a residence permit.

The long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) is issued as a sticker in your passport and valid for 12 months. The VLS-TS must be validated online within three months of your arrival and you must also pay the state tax fee of €200. After validating your visa, you may be asked to attend a medical examination by the French Office for Immigration and Integration. Remember, if you’re applying for the VLS-TS as a retiree, you won’t be able to apply for jobs in France.

The VLS-TS can be renewed annually. There are no minimum in-country stay requirements associated with the VLS-TS.

Once you’ve been living in France for around nine months, you will be eligible to apply for a retirement residence permit under the Carte de Sejour process. The application costs €25 and can be made online or through your local prefecture or sub-prefecture. If you live in Paris, you will need to visit the Paris Police Prefecture Residence Permits Service. The retirement residence permit is valid for 10 years and is renewable. 

How much money will you need to retire to France?

To be granted residency in France, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income. This will need to be at least €1554.60 per month (€18,665.20 per year) per applicant. If your income falls below this, you’ll need to provide evidence of sufficient savings to make up the shortfall.

Don’t forget that this is the absolute minimum monthly income you will need. Having a substantially higher income or level of savings will improve your chances of making a successful application. The cost of living in France varies according to your lifestyle preferences and where you want to live. Choosing an older home in the countryside or a property in a small town or rural area is likely to be one of the cheapest options.

It’s also important to think about the associated costs of returning to the UK, especially if you want to be able to visit your children and grandchildren regularly.  

What taxes will you need to pay when retiring to France?

The UK has a double taxation agreement with France. This means Brits living in France don’t have to pay taxes on the same income in both countries. That said, you should always speak to a professional tax advisor or lawyer about paying tax in France. Read on to learn more about the tax implications of retiring to France.

Once you are a resident in France, you’ll have to complete an annual tax return. The good news is that if all your income (for example your pension) comes from the UK, you won’t have to pay income tax in France. You’ll also need to declare any assets that you hold outside of France. This is separate to the annual tax return and includes annuities, properties, rights, securities, cars, personal possessions and bank accounts. If your assets are worth more than €1.3 million, you’ll need to pay wealth tax on anything above the first €800,000.

When living in France, you must pay a local property tax and a national property tax. Local tax will probably cost around €1,000 per year, depending on where you live, and it includes the cost of your TV licence. The national tax is only paid by property owners, so you won’t have to pay this if you decide to rent a home. Again, this will probably cost in the region of €1,000 per year. 

Accessing your UK pension

Already in receipt of your UK state pension? You’ll need to inform the UK government that you are retiring to France and wish to access your UK pension in France. You can arrange for your pension to be paid directly into a French bank account without having to pay any associated fees.

If you have a private pension, you will probably need to convert this from sterling to euros and move it into a French bank account. You can avoid having to pay transfer fees by setting up an international bank account that accepts sterling and euros. Consider enlisting the help of an FCA-approved currency broker to gain access to the best exchange rates.

If you are entitled to a lump sum on retirement, this will be taxable in France. However, you will not be liable to pay French wealth tax on this.  

Healthcare

Retiring in France means you’ll have access to the French health system, which has been ranked the best in the world by the World Health Organisation, so you can expect high standards of care.

During the first three months of your stay, you can access basic healthcare services in France with an EHIC or GHIC card. This covers you for any visits to the emergency department, basic treatment for chronic or pre-existing health issues, care and oxygen/kidney dialysis.

However, as a condition of your long-stay visa, you'll need to show evidence of private medical insurance and health insurance to cover the full duration of your visa.

If you’re granted a residence permit, you will be eligible to apply for State health insurance cover (Protection Universelle Maladie or PUMa) after you’ve lived in France for three months. This will allow you access to the same state healthcare as any other French citizen. However, that doesn’t mean you can access healthcare services for free. All French citizens are expected to pay towards their medical costs.

Wills and Inheritance

If you already have an up-to-date will and your inheritance plans are straightforward, you won’t need to draw up an additional French will. However, it is important to be aware of the differences between the French and UK inheritance systems.

If you die in France, the law is very clear on who you can and can’t leave money to. In France, an inheritance is seen as belonging to the entire family, not just the surviving spouse. Put simply, your estate will not automatically pass to your husband, wife or civil partner. If you have any children, they will automatically have an interest in your estate. If you’re unmarried or divorced, you should seek legal advice on your will and inheritance before becoming a resident of France. A professional will be able to offer advice on the possibility of choosing the UK succession law to apply to your inheritance when you die.  

Brits, EU citizens and US citizens

Post-Brexit, Brits making plans for retiring to France will need to follow a similar visa application process to Americans who want to retire to France from USA. If you’re an EU citizen, you can retire to France without needing a visa or residence permit, although you might need to register as a resident at the local town hall. 

Summary

If you’re thinking about retiring to France, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect home. Whether you want to enjoy an active retirement in Brittany, soak up the sun in the beautiful Alpes-Maritime or experience the rich culture and landscapes of Occitanie, you’ll enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, wonderful cuisine and breathtaking scenery.