Must I declare dividends that are reinvested outside of France? Investment types and their rules can vary between the UK and France
What is cost of average funeral in France? Prices are reported to be similar in France to those in the UK
Does everyone in France need to complete an income tax return? Deadlines to complete declaration fall in May or June this year Must children help to pay for elderly parents in French care homes? What dental work is covered with the 100% Santé scheme in France? What items can I take to local tip in France? Are any banned?
Who has to complete the new French property form? Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
Can I change my name to one that is more ‘French’? There must be a ‘legitimate reason’ for a name change
Car damaged in France: Can I claim without having the driver’s details? It is not obligatory for a driver to sign a constat amiable (accident form)
Can I burn trimmings from my French garden in spring? Regular upkeep of your garden can result in a lot of déchets verts
Do US citizens need documents notarised at embassy in France? Some real estate procedures for US property sales require a notary
Is it possible to opt out of organ donation in France? A 2017 law changed the rules on the default stance of people who die in the country
Can I be certain I am insured against flooding at French second home? A number of heavy floods have recently hit the country
What is the difference between a town and village in France? The difference is sometimes based on population, but this is not necessarily the most important factor
I have S1 but French bank is taking full social charges from interest Social charges can vary depending on which country covers your healthcare costs
How can we cut off utilities at French second home from abroad? Meter reading need to be taken to close most accounts Can apps such as Waze show location of speed cameras on French roads? How do I replace my stolen UK driving licence? I am French resident How do I renew my UK passport in France? Do I need an appointment?
Do train staff in France really get commission from fines they give out? Fines can be handed out for not having a valid ticket, using an out of date railcard, or even having your feet on the seat opposite Where do we pay house inheritance tax in France? Are there restrictions on building garden walls in France? How do I see if any drought rules are affecting my French home? What is the procedure if my car breaks down on a French motorway? Can I travel freely in the EU with a French 'Brexit' residency card?
What are the immediate steps to take after a death in France? Rules in France may vary from those of other countries
Why are private schools so affordable in France compared to the UK? Multiple types of private schools exist in France
What are the rules for owning a goat in France? Goats are sociable and energetic animals that can help keep your grass tidy
Are US prescriptions accepted at French pharmacies? Pharmacists are obliged to accept EU and EEA prescriptions. We look at what happens with those from other countries
Is a translator allowed during French driving tests? Those who do not exchange their foreign licence within the right time frame will need to take a driving test in the country
Can I swap motorcycle entitlements from British to French licence? The rules on licence swaps are more complex for motorbikes than for cars
Must I declare an en-suite shower room to French tax authorities? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Which French SIM card can I get for admin and government sites? Check whether the requirement for French telephone numbers has changed
What aid or help groups exist in France to cope with a new disability? Individual circumstances can dictate what aid may be available
Will France's new language rules affect Brexit residency cards? A number of visas required to live in France have been affected by the new immigration law
How do I find French domestic maintenance services for my second home? It can be a challenge finding people to help from a distance
Can La Poste forward my letters to me outside France? The French postal service offers several useful options if you will be away from home for extended periods
How does hospital and other medical transport work in France? Some costs can be partially – or fully – covered by social security, though in some cases you will need a prescription
What are the rules for solar panels near historic French monuments? Projects near a listed building or site must be approved by the Architectes des bâtiments de France
When and at what times can you mow your lawn in France? We look at the rules surrounding grass cutting and other garden-related noise
Is it true that squatters can sue property owners in France? A new ‘anti-squatting’ law that tightened regulations was recently passed by the government
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch TV in France? Virtual private networks can allow you to watch TV from your home country while in France
Why do towns need permission to raise tax on second-home owners? More than 3,500 communes will be able to raise the taxe d’habitation rate for second homes from next year, but what about the other areas?
How do you pay a free-flow motorway toll in a rental car? There are plans to introduce more motorways in France without toll barriers. We look at how you can pay the toll while driving a rental vehicle
How much does cataract surgery cost in France? The cost of cataract surgery in France will depend on the procedure and the hospital or clinic you select
Why do the French say Pékin, not Beijing? There are several examples in French of place names which have long since been replaced by alternative versions in the English language
Do I need to change address on my French licence to receive fines? We look at what you need to do when you move house in France to ensure you receive any speeding fines at your new address
I am in French health system already – should I use my S1 health form? It may seem unnecessary but there are advantages to UK or EU pensioners registering their form with Cpam
Can Americans access US Social Security income when living in France? For those moving from the US to France, we look at options for transferring funds and what to do about healthcare
Do foreign cars need to obtain a Crit’Air sticker to drive in France? You may need to apply for a sticker depending on where you are going
How do I leave money to charity in France? We look at the different options you have when leaving money to charities, and what you should take into consideration
Does my under 18 need a DCEM travel document for travel from France? A ‘document de circulation pour étranger mineur’ can be helpful if a young person is going to be travelling away from France. We explain
How do you replace a lost French residency card and at what cost? If you have lost your carte de séjour, there is a specific procedure to follow
Can my elderly mother staying with me in France get a carte de séjour? We look at the residency rules for dependent relatives and the procedure they must follow
Can you bring paint into France from the UK for personal use? Items which are not meant for commercial use can be brought into France without VAT or customs duties but only up to a certain limit
Travel and health coverage: How do I get French equivalent of Ehic? We look into the carte européenne d'assurance maladie , who is eligible, how you can get one and how it works
When will Eurostar restart trains from Ashford and Calais-Fréthun? The stops were suspended during the height of Covid as bookings dropped due to travel restrictions
Does France reimburse in full the costs of orthopaedic shoes? We look into the rules around these custom-made shoes
Does France’s ‘100% Santé’ scheme cover glasses without a mutuelle? The scheme was introduced to make eye, dental and hearing aid services more affordable
Can I get a mortgage to fund renovation works in my French house? There are various ways to fund your renovations in France, we take a look at some of them.
How can a Briton visit France for extended stay with their EU spouse? Family members of EU citizens can qualify for a special residency card. We explain the rules
Under what circumstances do you need to validate a French visa? There is one type of French visa which comes with this requirement. We explain
Is it possible to install an instant water heater in my French house? You have several options to choose from depending on where your house was built and what your annual water consumption is
How can I sell French property owned by a UK firm? Selling property as a company not an individual can be rather problematic
Is our income from selling home solar panel power taxable in France? Many households sell power to EDF. We look at how it works
Post Brexit can I get EU compensation if UK-France flight cancelled? We look at the rules for travellers entering the bloc from non-EU countries
Does my US relative need attestation d’accueil to visit me in France? This €30 hosting document is available from mairies. We explain who needs it
How much value will a swimming pool add to my French house? France is the leading European country for private swimming pools with over 3.2 million – we look at how building one could affect the price of a home
If we sell items from our French second home on eBay will we be taxed? Reader asks about selling furniture and other household goods online as they are leaving France
Is the €1 roof and attic insulation offer still available in France? This legitimate subsidy was a favourite of sales companies to entice homeowners into renovation jobs before they were hit with extra costs
What are the latest Covid rules for teenagers travelling to France? We look at whether a 13-year-old having had one vaccine dose needs to do a pre-departure test
Does France’s disability badge always allow parking in disabled bays? We look at the rules surrounding France’s carte mobilité inclusion
Can non-residents donate blood if in France for a few months? Anyone who lived for a minimum of one year in the UK between 1980 and 1996 cannot donate blood in France. However, it is still possible to give blood for non therapeutic purposes
Can I sell my micro-entreprise business in France? The micro-entrepreneur scheme allows you to set up as self-employed with simplified means of paying social security contributions and income tax
Can I get medication in the UK for a six-month trip to France? Many Britons with second homes in France are now applying for visas to stay for up to six months. We look at the rules for taking medication across for that amount of time
Am I allowed to wash my car on the street in front of my French flat? Reader’s neighbour said this is not allowed - we check out the rules
Is it illegal to make hands-free phone calls while driving in France? Four-fifths of people in France say they use their phone to carry out a task while driving, a 2022 poll shows
Can I get a French contrôle technique on my UK-registered car? We look at the rules for getting the French-equivalent of an MOT check on a car with UK licence plates
Can I bring specialist varieties of flour from the UK to France? We look at the rules for travelling with food products, which have become stricter since Brexit
As a widow, do I need a French will to ensure house goes to children? We look into whether a UK will is sufficient to pass on a second home to chosen inheritors
Can we go back to regime réel to run our letting business in France? Switching taxation regimes is possible under certain circumstances
Can an Ehic card be used by a resident of France on visit to the UK? We look at the rules for accessing healthcare in the UK as an ex-resident
What is the ‘fair usage’ limit for UK phones being used in France? Mobile operators impose restrictions on the way customers can use their phones while travelling in Europe
Do you need a Covid booster every nine months for travel to France? We look at the French definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ with regards to international travel