Moving to France
Posted on 07/08/2014
France is close to Britain, there are a variety of quick and easy ways to travel to France (and transport your belongings) furthermore property is cheaper in France and the pace of life is slower and friendlier, because of this over 150, 000 British people have made the move and decided to live in France. If this is something that you are seriously considering this guide will give you some basic knowledge about what you can expect and will need to do.
If you are a British Citizen and hold a British passport, then legally you are allowed to live and work permanently in France. However, you can also get a resident permit as you may need to produce this when applying for jobs or a bank account for example. Before you start looking for a home in France you should secure yourself a job to start as soon as you move, to ensure you have the income to pay for your home. Also consider what you are going to do with your property in the UK, if you sell it and regret the move you have nowhere to come back too. Consider renting it out for a few months.
If you need to attain a mortgage to finance buying a property in France you have 2 options available to you. You can either increase the borrowings you currently have with your UK bank, or you can apply to a French bank for a Euro mortgage. The interest rates offered by French banks are often lower than UK banks which is obviously more desirable, however, the costs involved in sorting out a mortgage are considerably higher especially the up-front costs you must pay, furthermore, you must consider that the exchange rate between sterling and euro’s fluctuate, sometimes this can work in your favour, other times you could be paying more in sterling because of the exchange rate.
Buying a property in France is not dissimilar from buying one in the UK, the main difference being that once you have a written agreement you are committed, this is at an earlier stage in the process than it typical in the UK process. It is advisable to appoint an estate agent to help you, preferably one that speaks English, unless you are fluent in French of course. They can help you to find notaire (a solicitor equivalent) and undertake any surveys, though these aren’t as compulsory in France.
Whilst many people in France speak English, it is advisable to get to know the language and make an effort to know it well. It is not uncommon for UK buyers to have to pay more for properties than French buyers just because of nationality coupled with ignorance to learning the French language. It will also help you to find a job.
Moving your belongings from your old home in the UK to your new home in France is much easier now, they can be transported via Ferry, plane, train, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to do this yourself, especially if you have a van. To make the move less stressful, however, you should consider using a removals company to help you in the move, they have experience of carefully packing and moving your belongings to avoid anything being broken. Your goods are secure and can be stored by the removal company should you not have a home to move into straight away, and your belongings should be insured by the removal company therefore meaning you can claim for any damages or loss of goods.
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