Moving to France from Portugal
 

Hi all,
It's my first post, just wanted to know if anyone can advise. We are UK citizens with 10 year renewable residency permits in Portugal (now 6 years in). We have been residents in Europe (Italy, Slovenia and now Portugal) since 1997. We are now retiring, husband is 66, I am 60 and plan to move to Normandy or Brittany next year. I have several questions:
1. As Portuguese residents (but UK passport holders) can we move to France without any of the post Brexit issues applying to us, i.e. taking advantage of free movement in the Schengen area, or are we treated as UK residents?
2. We both contribute voluntary NICS so will both be eligible for a full UK state pension. Husband gets this next June, but I don't get mine for 7 more years. Will we be able to get S1 forms from UK which I understand are needed to access French healthcare? If not, as an early retiree can I 'piggyback' off his? If not, are there any other options?
3. In our case, if we buy a bigger place would we be able to run B&B/gites as a semi-retirement project or is this going to be difficult, and would we need a working not retirement visa?
4. Would be grateful for advice on any other bureaucratic issues relevant to us which members have come across which we may not have thought of!
Many thanks in advance!

Re: Moving to France from Portugal
 

Not in France but you can check here.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/brexit-residence-rights/uk-nationals-living-in-eu/index_en.htm

The agreement covers those citizens living in the UK or in an EU country before 31 December 2020 and staying there afterwards.

This protection is not automatic in all EU countries or in the UK.
So you might be better off becoming Portuguese citizens.
Apart from bureaucratic issues, I suppose the question always comes up why you want to buy a bigger place when retired. Most people downsize as it's just too much work and you need a lot of money to maintain a large place + everybody is a B&B owner these days. Hope it works out for you.

Re: Moving to France from Portugal
 

The WA only applies to the country that you were living in pre Brexit.Therefore to move to France you will need to apply for a Visa .This is either going to be a Long stay visa which covers retirees or it will have to be a working visa to allow you to operate gites.For this you will have to produce a business plan detailing your experience and how you will develop the business.You cannot mix and match Visas ie you are either retired or working.
In relation to health care you can join the French state system after 3 months residence in FranceYou will need private health insurance to cover you until then .Now whether you are able to get an S1 with you piggybacking on it can only be answered by the DWP Overseas Health team You can find their number by googling,In relation to French state healthcare note that you do not make any payments into the system if you are in receipt of a pension of any description.However if you work then you will have to pay and also make pension contributions in France as well/Note that the French system only covers 70% of the cost so you will be advised to get a Top Up insurance as well
There are issues re taxation etc but I will not add to your questions at this point but I hope what I have said is helpful