Lost in Perpignan
 

Hi everyone! Just joined today.
I'm 26 from West Yorkshire...Been living in France now for 5 months with my French boyfriend! It would be nice to talk to some fellow expats as i don't have any friends here as yet and I love to socialise!

I am currently unemployed but attending a free school courtesy of pole emploi, they've told me I don't qualify for benefits as I have never worked here?

Also I cannot apply for a Carte vitale as I am not working and I don't qualify for an S1 healthcare form so I basically have to use my European health card if I need something!? Can anybody recommend some suggestions?

Today is one of those days it's all getting too much, struggling with learning the language and feeling slightly lonely. So im reaching out to any of you guys who can steer me the right direction wherever that may be haha

Becky x

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hi Becky!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hello becky2701
I lived in West Yorkshire in a different lifetime!
Unfortunately I'm nowhere near Perpignan, although I've been there and thought it was a nice place.
Don't know what to suggest about the healthcare, if your boyfriend can't sort you out as his dependent, have you asked him? Strictly speaking you shouldn't be using your EHIC if you no longer live in the UK.
France operates very much on the principal of, if you want to come and live here you have to pay in first before you can expect to claim anything out.
Tell the BF he needs to marry you! that would be the best solution (drat you just missed 29th February this time round...)
but summer is a-coming and you'll love it there in the summer.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Re bolded: not at all required or necessary for healthcare coverage.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

No that's true, I was only funning really; but a pacs or a wedding ring would be good if it's to be a long term relationship and there is property involved.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

That's certainly true. The surviving heir (named in a Will) of a couple not legally bound has to pay 60% of his/her share of the value of the property, in Taxe de Succession. If such a partner isn't mentioned in a Will, they get nothing and the property goes to named heirs and/or family. The OP's bf should know this and, if property is involved, should consult a Notaire to protect her interests. No one wants to think about death at 26, but accidents do happen...

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Thankyou for your reply! Yes I can't say it's been the most helpful of countries! Annoying as England you can claim and usually get everything given if your a foreigner!

Where in West Yorkshire did you live?

Unfortunately we are no where near the marriage step haha. Nor do I want just yet!

Is it worth me getting separate health insurance? We rent his mums apartment so the property is not his?

Do you speak fluent French now? If so do you have any tips to help me? Feeling so overwhelmed today!

I miss my home country, my familiarities of course my family and my own freedom feel like I'm losing myself gradually.

Hopefully just one of those days haha

Becky x

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Wakefield - Leeds - Huddersfield - Halifax - I kind of seeped along the M62 corridor and then escaped altogether ;)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Becky, you don't need to be married to be a dependent (ayant droit) on your bf's healthcare coverage.

Regarding property ownership/any putative future inheritance "stuff", yeah that's a different matter.

(I'm a former Yorkshire lass :); Bingley, Bradford, Leeds, then Northwards !)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Is BF working or is he a student?
If he's working, as said - ask him to add you to his cover.
Though I'm confused with the new Puma thing and the phasing out of the ayant droit - do you know about that, Shirtback?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

I haven't read up on it in detail, no. Sorry, ET. Will do if I get some free time & will report back :).

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Take no notice of the words of gloom re property!
On the other hand, if your name isn't on the Rental, you've got no official justification of domicile for all the various Administrations that you'll encounter....
I always say living with a Frenchman (or woman) is the best tip for speaking French! (My OH of several decades is French!) With the added bonus of practising it on their family and friends, too. Integrate as much as possible by joining Clubs or Associations where you'll meet people with similar interests. The Mairie will have a list.
Hope all this helps, but your bf should do his bit, too, to help!;)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Ahh that is cool, Leeds/ Wakefield is where I'm from!
Small world!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Sweet Thankyou I'll bare that in mind! I love Leeds! Really miss home! Where are you living now? If you don't mind me asking?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Yes he is helping me a lot but I think it's not something he is familiar with himself but his mum has helped us a lot too!

Yes he does try to help me learn French however he's not very patient and expects me to be fluent already I think (even though he says not) and wants me to be doing all day studying at home too? I know he just wants me to learn and be happy and find a job but I think I do have a life too? It's already hard with having no friends or family for an escape but also Perpignan doesn't have heaps to do and especially living off saving for the moment and not knowing when I'll find a job I feel restricted! Once I pick up a bit more French I will find some info at the Mairie!

Where do you live if you don't mind me asking?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

What did you do before you came to France, becky? Were you working or studying, what things are you interested in?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

"Just up the road" in North Hérault.
I'm sure that Perpignan's got a lot more to offer than my neck of the woods! In my village of 1100 souls there are more than a dozen activities to cater for most, and many more in the nearest town.
You're being coy about your bf's own activities. Without wishing to pry, it doesn't sound as though he is "keeping" you. If you're living on your savings, without any work prospects, and homesick, then, in your place, I might be inclined to return to Yorkshire for a while, to think about my future.
Meanwhile, get your bf to accompany you to the Mairie for the list of Clubs and Associations! :) And find some way of officially justifying your domicile! IMO you need private healthcare insurance if your bf can't name you as dependant on his.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

I worked as a cashier in a bank which was indeed okay but a little dreary at times, i've always kind of drifted as i've never really know what i've wanted as a career. I did train at college in hair and beauty and after i worked in retail, then admin for a construction company then the bank job.

I'm interested in working with children or maybe in the beauty industry or something like that as i'm forever buying product after product etc But until i learn the language chances are slim haha!

I love keeping fit, cooking and eating out, movies, socialising, reading, yoga, nature/animals

What do you now work as?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Yes i suppose, i just need to get out and about! I am quite a shy person especially when i can't really speak to people. He plays rugby and helps his dad with his work sometimes but he is also looking for a new job! He certainly does keep me, he pays for most things which i don't like depending on someone. I'm certainly grateful for him, although i struggle with not living the life i did back in England as had my own friends, money to spend on what I wanted and now I have to be very careful with everything i spend. Sorry to sound like a moaning minnie think i've just hit a rough patch luckily i'm having a week in England soon so that should re charge my batteries.

Also i'm needing to re insure my car fairly soon, would i need to change something on my English car? i.e number plates, lights etc

Bonne journee!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Yes you should find out about registering your car in France, if you intend to commit to living here permanently.

From what you've said it sounds a bit as if you're not entirely sure in your own mind where you'd rather be. None of my business I know, but it's your life to do what you want with, don't let anyone try to take it over. You owe it to yourself not to waste the best years of your life kicking your heels in one place and wishing you were somewhere else. There are too many people doing that and putting on a brave front and IMHO it's not the way to be happy. Anyway lecture over, like you say we all go through bad patches.

I probably wouldn't recognise Leeds these days, it's more than 10 years since I was there. I used to work night shifts at Yorkshire AutoTrader which was near Yorkshire Television centre, opposite the bus station, just down from the Playhouse. I don't even know if the building is still there, that part has probably been redeveloped, it kind of felt ready for it. I used to start work at 7 in the evening and I was usually late, and as I ran across the road at the crossing I very often used to nearly crash into Paul What's his name that used to read the weather on YTV, the one that wore fancy ties (well he still might for all I know). He obviously didn't believe in hanging about after his job was done and he was usually running across the road in the other direction at one minute past seven.
There's my trip down memory lane for today ;)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Have to agree with this. Use your week in England among family and friends, to think seriously about your future.
Meanwhile, who does your bf play for? I adore rugby and would be at every match! Couldn't you join up with the other wives/gf's and make friends there?
All the best, and let us know if you feel better about living in France but need advice from fellow expats.:)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hello again,

I did go and have a look at the "Puma thing", & looks like Becky can get her own cover on the basis of being resident in France, even unemployed. Here's the link (sorry I can't find an English version):
Le portail du service public de la Sécurité sociale / La mise en place de la Protection (...)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

I now live in Quebec. At various times in the past I lived in various places in France :).

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hi Becky!

just dropping in to say hello! It can be tough going at first. Sounds like DMU and shirtback are giving you good advice. A slightly different note... I have a friend who lives in Perpignan, she's from Yorkshire too and married to a french guy. She's got a wedding business going on and the other week she was asking us if we knew an english speaking beautician/hairstylist. Might this be something you would take a look at?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Thankyou! I shall definitely get my bf to take a look at this. Hope your having a good weekend 😊

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Ahh mayn you are so lucky! I'd love to live in Canada!!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hi, I couldn't open this link, but it should be added to the FAQs "Healthcare" thread!!:thumbup:

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Hello there!! Ahh cool, nice to know of other English in Perpignan! I've not met one yet haha

Yes it's something I'm passionate about more the beauty aspect but I am interested and would like to know more! I haven't done it for work for a few years but I do it for friends and family often!

Happy Sunday!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

I missed your post about your qualifications! You should really concentrate on getting your French together, as there are probably a lot of English-speaking French beauticians/hairdressers giving stiff competition for any jobs going, if pf's friends' opportunity doesn't lead to anything. To keep your hand in, why not offer your (free) services to the rugby club's womenfolk once you've got to know them?
And a Bon Dimanche to you!:)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Added.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Thanks for that (and I managed to open it this time!)

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Becky, I'm just about to send you a private message with my friend's details. She would love to meet you.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Becky did you get the message?

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

That's a very useful link Shirtback. amazingly some of the info is also available in English. See Le portail du service public de la Sécurité sociale / Information.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

I spent seven or eight years in Halifax then escaped to Wales. Hendaye is much like West Wales except with palm trees and bigger mountains!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Dmu thats not quite true. You just need a letter from the owner saying you are living there. This needs to be accompanied with a copy of her ID (colour and recto-verso) and a recent utility bill - (not a a mobile phone bill). That worked for me for opening a bank and mobile phone account. This is the fourth time I've moved country and every time it's a headache. Free movement of EU citizens my arse !

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Or visit their website and get him to help you find the associations / groups you might like to join. I found several on my Marie's website and managed to join a couple within a few weeks.

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Becky if you have a postal address (family?) you can use in the UK just transfer your DVL and insurance policy there. The DVL is important in case you get speeding/parking tickets! The key thing is to ensure the MOT stays valid. Without that no insurance! You should have already adjusted your headlights. In my opinion unless you're very attached your car its probably too much hassle to re-register it here. I did it between NL/B and it was a nightmare. And that was without the problem a right hand drive. If I were in your shoes I would wait till the next MOT take it back to UK and sell it (or scrap it afterwards). Then buy a French car. Much easier. If you do need to re-register I can help you through the process (in principle) having done it in Belgium three years ago. And good luck with everything!

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

It won't be easy to acquire a utility bill in the OP's name, as she's living at her bf's and he himself must occasionally need to justify his own domicile for various reasons. It's surprising how often this is necessary. They might become joint-subscribers for the EdF and France Télécom (Orange) landline (if they have one), but the Contracts would have to be amended.
I think the OP is in the UK at the moment, as she hasn't posted for over a week....

Re: Lost in Perpignan
 

Sorry DMU i wasn't clear. The ID of, and bill addressed to, the person who owns/ has legal tenure on the flat.