Goodbye Britain, Bonjour Français! As the closest neighbour to the UK, France has always been one of the preferred destinations for British people looking to move abroad. While Brexit has changed the rules for people moving to France, it's still possible for so many people. This article looks at the key changes which must be considered when moving from the UK to France in a post-Brexit world.
For a long time, France has been one of the most popular destinations for British people looking to live abroad. Whether you’re in love with the French culture, seeking a new professional challenge, or looking to retire on the French Riviera, the appeal of France – our closest neighbour – has never diminished, even after Brexit.
Unfortunately Brexit has complicated the process of moving to France: the rules have changed, the paperwork has increased, and the importance of getting trustworthy, independent advice is greater than ever.
To help clarify the process, we chatted with three of our trusted experts: a cross-border property lawyer, a visa consultant, and a financial adviser each of whom offered vital insight into how to plan a successful move to France in this post-Brexit world.
This conversation was recorded for our Expats Unpacked podcast and is available to watch in full on our Experts for Expats YouTube channel. We have also set up a free introduction service to enable you to connect with our partners if you are considering moving to France.
Before the UK left the EU, British citizens could move to France with minimal effort due to the freedom of movement offered through EU membership. This meant that working, retiring, or relocating to France was relatively straightforward.
Now, UK nationals are treated in pretty much the same way as any other non-EU national which means that if you intend to spend more than 90 days in France in any rolling 180-day period, you will need a French visa.
In France, there are over 30 different visa types in France, each one corresponding to different purposes such as work, investment, retirement, family reunion, or study. Being able to identify and select the most appropriate visa for your situation is essential, and very difficult to do without help.
Most visa applications must be made from the UK before relocating to France.
Attempting to sort your visa once you've already arrived in France is likely to result in delays and frustration and may even require you to leave and reapply from the UK.
The visa most suitable for you will depend on the purpose of your move, beginning with how long you intend to live in France and the purpose for your relocation. It’s often broken down into the three main categories:
While many countries, especially in the EU, have introduced dedicated digital nomad visas for non-EU citizens, France has yet to do so.
Remote workers, i.e. people who intend to live in France but work and generate an income from another country, fall into a bit of a grey area which can complicate matters including tax obligations, residency, and social security support.
While it is technically possible to work remotely in France, the lack of a specific legal framework, such as a Digital Nomad Visa, means it’s important to get independent advice to ensure your residency is correctly structured.
France offers an amazing variety of locations to live, from vibrant cities like Lyon, Paris and Bordeaux to peaceful countryside villages in Provence, the Dordogne, or Normandy.
British people looking to buy property will typically fall into two categories:
When drawing up a shortlist of places to live, it's important to think beyond the dream or experiences you may have had on holiday.
It’s important to consider factors you may not initially consider when on holiday, such accessibility to airports or Eurostar, the cost of living, access to services (such as hospitals), and integration into local communities.
As with any relocation abroad, unless your employer is dictating your move, in most cases people look to move and settle in areas they are already familiar with.
If you haven’t spent extended time in a particular region, it’s advisable to rent first and get to know the area before committing to buying. It’s highly advisable to visit outside of the best times of year to ensure you experience the potential downsides – even though us Brits are used to pretty miserable weather.
The process of purchasing property in France is markedly different from the process in the UK.
One of the biggest differences is the stage of the process where you become legally committed to buying the property.
In the UK, exchange of contracts typically occurs very late in the process, typically no more than a couple of weeks before completion.
However in France, a contract is signed early in the process often within a few weeks of agreeing a price, although there will conditions factored into the contract which allow the buyer to withdraw if financing, planning permissions, or other critical conditions are not met.
The process of buying a property in France is typically quicker than in the UK and once the initial contract is signed, there is generally a three-month completion period.
During this time, the notaire (a French legal official responsible for property transactions) carries out the necessary legal checks.
It is recommended that you appoint your own notaire rather than relying on the seller’s, there will be no difference in cost, but you will benefit from independent representation and be in no doubt that the notaire is working for you.
Additional costs, such as notarial fees and stamp duty, will generally add between 6% and 8% to the property purchase price.
Another key difference is that structural surveys are not standard in France, so if you want one, you’ll need to arrange it independently. This is especially important for foreigner buyers because French properties are built differently to those in the UK, so you may not spot structural issues without a specialist eye.
As structural surveys are not required in the process, you may face difficulties finding someone who is readily available and speaks English.
This is where having someone to help you through the entire process can really help reduce the difficulties and stress of buying a French property.
Is it a good idea to rent somewhere before buying?
If you're unfamiliar with a region or want to take your time, renting somewhere first can be a sensible option. Short to medium term lets, with flexible break clauses, are possible and can give you time and space locally while you look for the right property to buy.
Although renting is generally less common among British buyers in France, it can be particularly useful during the visa application process or while waiting to complete a property purchase.
Relocating abroad isn’t just about visas and property and your financial arrangements need careful consideration as these may be factored into your visa application. They will also play a key role in your short and long term quality of life.
There are typically three main financial issues facing British expats moving to France:
Currency fluctuations are must always be factored in to any decisions when relocating outside of the UK, whether to France or any other country.
If any aspects of your income or wealth is still in GBP while your living costs are in euros, your finances can be directly impacted by currency fluctuations. In recent years, these fluctuations have become more pronounced due to Brexit, Covid and more recently tariff wars and the cost of living crisis.
A small percentage change between GBP and Euro can have a significant short and long term effect on your quality of life.
You also should avoid simply transferring money from a UK bank account to a French bank account as you are likely to incur fees, charges and unfavourable exchange rates.
While it was once potentially possible to move to France without assistance, since Brexit and changes since, it is no longer advisable to do it yourself. In fact, the chances of your dream of living in France has the very real potential to quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t have independent support.
The post-Brexit legal environment has added complexity to everything from visa applications to pension transfers and tax liabilities.
Each part of your move (legal, financial and logistical) is intertwined and a mistake or problem in one area can create a ripple effect that becomes expensive or stop the entire process dead.
Professional advice should not be seen as a luxury, it should be factored in as an investment to give you the confidence that your move will going as smoothly and stress-free as possible.
Brexit is an irreversible situation (and the short and medium term at least) and there are no signs that freedom of movement will recommence any time soon.
Despite this, moving to France remains possible for so many and incredibly rewarding, but it is now no longer a decision that can be taken lightly.
Successfully moving to France from the UK relies on solid research, careful planning, independent guidance throughout the process, and setting realistic expectations for the move itself.
It is critical that you:
If you're ready to take the next step, our free French relocation introduction service could connect you with trusted professionals who will be able to help you through the process from start to finish. Our partners offer a free discovery call, so once you are sure you want to move to France, please request a free introduction.
