Removals to France

Living and working in France is still a priority for many of our movers. The fact that we’ve now left the European Union may have made the process for difficult, but they’re not deterred. In this article we look at how to go about finding work in France, from where to look for jobs, to getting a visa and sorting out your tax requirements. Bon chance!

Visa Requirements

If you are a British citizen, you can travel to France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Thereafter you will need a work permit to cover your stay. Your prospective employer will need to make this application on your behalf. There are arrange of periods that these visas cover:

• Short Stay – 3 months
• Temporary – between 3 months and a year
• Long Stay – 5-10 years
• ICT – these are variable permits provided for internal transfers covering senior management roles or highly specialised work.

Shortage Occupations

If you’re looking for skilled work in France, you need to know which are the occupations that are experiencing difficulty in recruiting the people they need, at present. In 2022, these were:

• Health professionals and vets
• ICT professionals
• Legal professionals and legislators
• Finance professionals
• Engineering professionals

Language Requirements

It is expected that you will speak French to a good standard if you intend to work there. Having said that there are exceptions; if you get a job with one of the many multi-nationals located in France, your English may be considered enough of an asset to waive the need for French initially, but you will need it if you want to progress in your career.

If you have secondary school French, build on it – get a tutor, or enrol on a course. It could be the difference between getting a job or not.

French Work Culture

Of course, it would be wrong to generalise, but on the whole corporate culture in France is more hierarchical and formal than in the UK. Senior executives are likely to be distant figures who are trusted to make the decisions. Strategy meetings tend, therefore, to concentrate on discussion, rather than determining actions. Promptness is important, and impromptu meetings without an appointment are extremely unlikely.

Tax, Health, and Social Security Number

When you begin your new job, you will be given two important numbers; your SPI number (which is a tax ID) and your INSEE number (your social security number) which permits you to claim on your health insurance.

Schepens has been providing removals to France for over a century. Call our friendly team today to find out about the range of ways we can support your move – 01794 323558

From Mardi Gras carnivals at Nice and Granville to medieval pageants at Carcassonne; from the international fireworks festival at Cannes to the international gastronomic fair at Dijon; from fêtes foraines (fun-fairs) to harvest festivals – conviviality is an integral part of French life.

France’s first national Fête de la Musique was held in 1982 and has become an annual event, with free concerts in every big town on June 21st. And throughout the summer months, music festivals take place all over France: world-famous jazz festivals at Juan-les-Pins, Grenobles, Nice and Coutances; baroque, classical, opera and dance at Beaunes, Aix-en-Provence, Orange and Avignon; while Brittany has a thriving tradition of Fest Noz – festivals of Celtic music and dancing.

Foires and Fêtes

Regional gastronomic specialities are at the heart of many colourful local fêtes. Autumn in Normandy is fragrant with apple and cider festivals, the best-known of all being Vimoutiers’ Foire de la Pomme. There are famous black pudding festivals (Mortagne-aux-Perches, Cholet), andouille festivals (Val d’Ajol, Vire), sausage festivals (Morteau, Grenade), countless wine and grape festivals, cheese festivals, bread festivals, chocolate festivals and more.

Christmas

Christmas Day in France is a family occasion first and foremost, generally celebrated at home with a special meal. Père Noël, or Papa Noël, brings presents for the children. In the run-up to Christmas, towns and villages are prettily decorated with trees and lights, and many hold Christmas markets. But Christmas is not a time of wild partying or extravagant spending, and the custom of sending Christmas cards barely exists. There is no Boxing Day in France; the 25th is a national holiday, but it’s business as usual on 26th.

New Year

In many French families, the time for giving presents, sending cards, holding parties and going out for festive meals is not Christmas but New Year’s Eve, known as Saint-Sylvestre.

The 14th July

Without question, France’s biggest national extravaganza is what the British often call Bastille Day, but the French refer to as ‘le quatorze juillet’. Festivities start on the evening of 13th, with truly spectacular firework displays all over France and partying that is likely to continue all night and into the next day. The 14th is a national holiday, when even shops that opened on Christmas Day will almost certainly be closed. Many towns arrange fêtes, parades and all manner of street entertainments, sometimes a whole week of events. If you’re in France at this time, it’s well worth finding out what’s happening near you and going along. France’s 14th July celebrations are not to be missed.

National holidays in France differ from UK bank holidays. In most communes the Pompiers (emergency services) produce a calendar to raise funds; a Pompiers calendar will ensure you’re never caught unawares by a national holiday – and by buying one, you’ll be contributing to a very worthy cause.

Holidays in France

National holidays in France

January 1-New Year’s Day ( Jour de l’An )

Moveable-Easter ( Pâques ) Sunday, date varies

Moveable-Easter Monday ( Lundi de Pâques ) Monday after Easter

May 1-Labour Day ( Fête du Travail )

May 8-V-E Day ( Victoire 1945 )

Moveable-Ascension Day ( Ascension ) Thursday, 40 days after Easter

Moveable-Pentecost ( Pentecôte ) Seventh Sunday after Easter

Moveable-Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) Monday after Pentecost

July 14-Bastille Day ( Fête Nationale )

August 15-Assumption of Mary ( Assomption )

November 1-All Saints Day ( Toussaint )

November 11-Armistice Day/Remembrance Day ( Armistice 1918 )

December 25-Christmas Day ( Noël )

The French state healthcare system differs significantly from the UK’s NHS. This article outlines some of the aspects of the system that people moving permanently to France from the UK, or those working there on temporary contracts, ought to be aware of.

Eligibility

You must have health insurance cover to live in France. However, public healthcare is not free. The state and patient contributions both cover the expense of healthcare, which are referred to as co-payments.

UK nationals can access the French healthcare system by:

• Registering an S1 form from the UK with the neighbourhood CPAM office.
• Paying contributions to the French social security system through their company or as a self-employed individual.
• Using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for short-term stays while studying or working “posted” (separated).

If you don’t intend to work or run a business in France, and are not a dependant of someone who is in the French system, you will probably need a form S1 to entitle you, initially at least, to state healthcare. You should apply for an S1 well in advance of leaving the UK. If you’re retired, contact the DWP Overseas Healthcare Team (0191 218 1999); if you’re going to continue working in the UK, contact HMRC.

Anyone living permanently in France who does not meet the criteria for joining the state health service must take out private health insurance.

Contributions Sociales

If you’re employed under a French work contract, or if you’re self-employed or run a business in France, you (and your employer if you have one) will pay contributions to the healthcare system. Compared to NI contributions in the UK, contributions sociales are quite high.

Carte Vitale

This card contains a microchip which confirms your identity and social security number. When you pay for consultations, treatment or prescriptions, you will be asked for your CV. Your reimbursements will then be refunded automatically into your bank account.

If you don’t have a carte vitale, or the health provider doesn’t have a card reader, you’ll be given a document called a feuille de soins. This must be presented to your caisse d’assurance, along with proof of entitlement, to claim reimbursement.

Reimbursements

The reimbursement system is complex. In certain circumstances reimbursement is 100%. Some expenses are reimbursed 0%. For most routine medical consultations the state reimburses 70%. Click here For full details. 

Top-up Insurance – Complémentaire santé

Since the state only reimburses a proportion of your medical costs, you are expected to take out ‘top-up’ insurance. Numerous private companies and mutuelles (non-profit) offer top-up policies ranging from basic hospital plans, to comprehensive policies that can cover almost every expense you are ever likely to incur. You are entitled to complementary health insurance if:

• Your professional activity or stable and regular residence in France qualify you for the Health Insurance’s assumption of responsibility for your medical expenses.
• Your resources are less than an amount that is determined by the composition of your household.
• you have already had complementary health insurance, and you must be are up-to-date with your financial contributions (or are in the process of being regularised).

Schepens would advise you to get advice, obtain several quotes, and read the small print.

CPAM

(Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) is the largest of the numerous state organisations that deal with contributions and reimbursements. If you hold an S1, you will register with CPAM and your reimbursements will be processed by CPAM. Other caisses include URSSAF and the RSI (Régime Social des Indépendants) which deal with employers and self-employed.

For an introduction to healthcare abroad click here, and for a detailed explanation (in English) of the French healthcare system, click here.

A variety of foreign driver’s licences are accepted in France, and you can legally drive on one for up to 12 months. But, what happens after that? Schepens outline what you need to do to ensure a smooth transition for registering your vehicle in France, post Brexit.

Let the UK Know

If you decide to keep your UK vehicle when you move permanently to France, you must tell DVLA you are exporting it, and are re-registering it in the French system.

Re-registering your UK vehicle in France

Essentially, this is a matter of assembling the required paperwork and paying the appropriate registration fee. On most cars the headlamps must be changed because headlights dipping to the right are not acceptable in France

Carte Grise

Within 1 month of arrival, you must request a French registration document, or certificat d’immatriculation, commonly referred to as the carte grise or ‘grey card’. If you do not, you risk getting a fine (usually around 135€). The price of registering your car for a carte grise depends on the make, model and engine size. You can calculate how much this will cost using the online simulator. You must keep your carete grise in the car with you. If you take your car to a garage, they will ask for it.

Contrôle Technique (MOT)

A contrôle technique certificate (CT) is needed for cars more than 4 years old, and remains valid for 2 years. The test must be carried out every two years at an accredited control centre – a centre de contrôle technique agréé. CT stations do not carry out repairs. Your sticker, showing the CT expiry date, must be displayed on your windscreen.

Insurance

There are three types of car insurance in France: third-party, third-party fire and theft, and fully comprehensive. French car insurance covers the car, not the driver as in the UK, and normally includes breakdown cover; consequently, France has no RAC/AA equivalent. Continuous insurance is a legal requirement, even for cars kept off the road. Before cancelling your policy, your insurers will require evidence that the car has been sold or scrapped, or that you have arranged insurance elsewhere. A valid insurance sticker must be displayed on the windscreen.

Road tax

There is no annual road tax to pay in France.

Traffic Offences

Unlike the UK, where you accumulate points for traffic offences, in France you lose points for infractions. When you have lost your 12 points, a ban will be triggered. France has severe penalties for offences such as drink-driving and extreme speeding. Fines are issued for traffic offences, but if the payment is made within 15 days, the amount of the fine is normally lower. The amounts paid can vary, depending on the circumstances in which the violation was committed. Here is a brief list of traffic offences, and the fines they incur:

• Drive through red light – from € 135
• Violation of overtaking prohibition – from € 135
• Cross the crossed line – from € 135
• Parking violation or overrun parking time – from € 17
• Error parking – from € 35
• Not giving priority – from € 135
• Driving without seat belt/child restraint – from € 135
• Use mobile phone while driving – from € 135
• Use of earphones/headphones (including cyclists) – from € 135

Changing your licence

Now that the UK has left the EU, UK citizens who intend to stay in France for more than a year will need to apply for a French driving licence. Your application for a French driving licence won’t be accepted unless your UK licence expires in less than six months. The French government will normally return your licence and suggest that you apply again when it is closer to expiry.

Caravans, trailers and motorhomes

To be towed by a French-registered vehicle, caravans and trailers over 500kg must be registered in their own right and display their own number plates; they cannot share the towing vehicle’s number. A motorhome being re-registered in France must pass a habitation check to ensure that gas installations etc. comply with French normes.

Driving on the right requires a different set of regulations and the comprehensive guide is the French Highway Code. There are also some useful sites that provide regularly updated driving rules for French roads, in English.

If You’re Moving Just a Few Items – Part Load Removals is Ideal

Schepens is a leading UK provider of European removals, and the services we provide include part load removals to France. Our team of moving professionals has the experience, and industry training to make removals to France stress-free!

Part load removals to France is an affordable option and an excellent choice for customers with a small number of items to transport. Where we use the road network our highly specialised removals vehicles with air ride suspension and an adjustable bearing system to protect your cargo whilst in transit.

HOW DOES PART LOAD REMOVALS TO FRANCE WORK?

Part load removals combine cargo from multiple clients to fill up a cargo container or large removals truck. When multiple clients share a single container, their cost of their removals service is significantly reduced. It is also useful for clients who are only moving a few boxes or the contents of a small apartment.

Schepens offers a professional packing service that works well in conjunction with part load removals. If you select this service, our experienced removers will securely pack your possessions into durable packing boxes for you.

We then deliver your cargo to a processing facility where it is packed onto a palette. The cargo is secured with high quality packing plastic and clearly labelled. The cargo palettes are secured using heavy duty packing straps. When there is enough cargo to fill an entire cargo container or removals truck, your cargo is loaded, and the removal begins.

Once your cargo arrives at its destination in France, Schepens removers unload it and dispose of the packing materials.

WHY USE PART LOAD REMOVALS TO FRANCE?

Part load removals to France are an excellent choice for clients who have a small amount of cargo and are happy with a flexible delivery window. It’s an option that is popular with students who are moving to France from the UK to study, or movers who are looking for a cost-effective way to move their items.

Our team has been performing removals from UK to France for years and know the logistics of the journey extremely well. We will ensure the efficient and safe delivery of your cargo to it destination in France. Other reasons to choose Schepens for European removals to France include:

• We regularly perform removals from UK to France. Our team makes regular runs to France. This means that our part load removals are efficient, and often movers are surprised by the prompt arrival of their goods.
• Schepens offers affordable removals. We ship large quantities of cargo around the world each week, which allows us to obtain bulk discounts. These savings are passed onto clients to make us one of the most affordable options.
• Custom designed removals. Each potential client receives a custom quote that is tailored to their specific requirements. There are no hidden extras or unnecessary services. Our quotes for part load removals are also highly detailed and 100% free!
• Talented move co-ordinators. Our removals to France are managed by one of our talented move coordinators. They will explain each step of the removals process, answer any questions you have, and help you complete customs paperwork.
• All removers are trained to a very high standard. We make a point of hiring talented staff who have the right skills for working in the removals industry. All of our movers are trained to British Association of Removers standards. 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM ABOUT PART LOAD REMOVALS TO FRANCE? CONTACT SCHEPENS TODAY ON 01794 323558 FOR AN OBLIGATION-FREE QUOTE!

Moving to France from the UK | Removals & relocation to France

France Remains a Popular Destination for Work, Retirement and Second Homes

The Schepens team expected to see far fewer people moving to France from the UK once we left the European Union, but this hasn’t been the case. There are a number of reasons for this:

• Applying for a visa is very straightforward, although assembling the documentation required can be a lengthy operation.
• You can still buy a holiday home in France and stay – without a visa – for up to 90 days in every 6 months. For longer stays you can apply for a foreigner’s residence card which allows you to stay for up to a year.
• You can work in France so long as you have a work permit which your employer will need to apply for on your behalf.

At Schepens we continue to provide stress-free removals to France, and the wine, food and culture remains superb!

MOVING TO FRANCE FROM THE UK WITH SCHEPENS

Schepens’ removals to France services provide far more than a ‘standard’ moving package. Relocating overseas is stressful, even if it is just over the Channel, so Schepens uses its decades of experience to ease the burden for our movers. We put customers first, and offer support from first contact, right through to moving day.

Our employees are BAR trained, but more than that – they really ‘care’ about the work they do and will always go the extra mile for movers.

SCHEPENS PROVIDES AN ACCURATE REMOVALS QUOTE

It’s hard to know what moving to France from the UK will cost you, which is why we always recommend that movers get 3 different quotes for removals to France before they make a decision.

At Schepens we book in a survey – either face-to-face or online – with movers, so that we know exactly what the size and requirements of their move will be. Then we can provide an accurate quotation to help with their budgeting.

MEET SCHEPENS MOVE CO-ORDINATORS

Our move co-ordinators are our secret ingredient when it comes to removals to France. They know all there is to know about moving to France from the UK because it’s something they’ve done hundreds of times already. These professionals will keep an eye on critical deadlines, fulfil customs procedures, and be your ‘go to’ throughout the move.

TAILORED REMOVALS TO FRANCE

One of the reasons that we continue to have a great reputation for our removal services – 100 years on from when we started – is because we treat every single mover as unique. Schepens doesn’t do ‘standard’ removals. Our moves are bespoke, and we plan according to your specific requirements. Whatever our movers need to make their move less stressful, we will go out of our way to provide it.

STRESS-FREE PACKING SERVICE

Maybe packing up your home in preparation for removals to France is something you’ll enjoy doing. If this is the case, we’ll provide you with eco-friendly professional packing materials to support you in the task. For movers who don’t relish the task, or don’t have the time to give to it, we offer a professional packing service. Schepens packers are BAR trained to pack up your home expertly and efficiently in just hours.

SPECIALIST REMOVALS TEAM

No matter what you need to take to France with you, we’ll take very special care of it. Our specialist removals team has experience moving pianos, artworks and antiques overseas. Specialist items are assessed in advance an appropriate moving process is put in place to guarantee their safe passage. This includes bespoke packaging, handling, and shipping.

TRANSPORTING YOUR HOME

Your goods will be shipped in one of our state-of-the-art removals vehicles which run on air ride suspension and boast an adjustable bearing system, ensuring little or no movement of vehicle content. All our drivers know France well and will get you to your location efficiently, using the best route available.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON MOVING TO FRANCE FROM THE UK, CALL SCHEPENS TODAY ON 01794 323558 TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS WITH OUR FRIENDLY REMOVALS TEAM