Kevred1

Hi all,

We are looking to retire in France early 2022 but have no real idea what we need to do. We are attending an online seminar next week which should hopefully provide us with some idea but if any of you could give us any advice or information, we would be most grateful.

Many thanks

Kevin & Jan

Helen1964

No doubt others will be along with information soon but if I had only one piece of advice to give you it would be don’t sell your place in the UK. Or sell it but buy something else in the UK and rent it out via a good reliable agency under a full management contract.
You never know, you might want to return one day and if you’re getting older, possibly a bit infirm and possibly alone, moving back can seem like an impossibly daunting process if you have nowhere to move to.
I’ve seen this happen to several of my friends’ parents. They learn the language to a level where they can function but not to a level where they’re really comfortable socialising with French people so after about 10 years they want to go back.
Which is not to say, of course, that they regret having had the adventure.

Two more pieces of advice: keep your UK bank accounts and for at least the first couple of years, rent, don’t buy.

okonumiyaki

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/w...icitModel=true

You need a long stay visitor visa - France doesn't have a specific retirement visa.

The supporting documents to be provided are as follows:

• Pre-requisites
  
  • A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay, at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested.
    
  • ID photograph.
    
  • If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country (e.g. residence permit).
    
• Purpose of travel/stay
  
  • Promise not to exercise any professional activity in France, if applicable accompanied by a letter explaining your project.
    
  • Proof of your socio-economic situation.
    
• Travel health insurance
  
  • Health insurance for the full duration of the stay. The insurance must cover the visa’s entire validity period (1 year at the most).
    
• Accommodation
  
  • Proof of residency of the host in France: rental agreement or property tirle or, if applicable, statement signed by the host confirming the establishment in France. Any particuliar situation will require an explaination letter.
    
• Funds
  
  • Last 3 months worth of bank statements (UK current account) showing your full name and address, and proving that you have enough funds for the whole duration of the trip, or traveller's cheques presenting the same guarantees. If you are financially sponsored by your spouse/partner : marriage certificate and bank statements of your spouse/partner.
    

Kevred1

Thank you for the sound advice Helen, I am sure it will help us greatly.

Helen1964

Best of luck! Or as the French say, far more aptly in my opinion, "Courage!"

dmu

+1
I would add, use the time between now and then to brush up your French (both of you), and choose somewhere to settle where there are medical facilities nearby, and no dearth of G.P.s.... There are many "medical deserts" in France.... You may be fit now, but imagine yourselves in 15 years' time - you tend to consult more, as you get older.... And being able to communicate in French with all healthworkers (even in the Admin department) is advisable...
Take a look at the "Growing Old" thread in the Read-Me: Moving to France FAQs above and even the "Dying in France" thread. Not to mention the "Inheritance Laws" if you buy property straight away rather than rent, as suggested. Fore-warned is fore-armed!

Kevred1

Thanks DMU, we are learning french at present and we will certainly read up on what you have suggested.

ps I am glad that I have come on this forum as the wealth of knowledge is priceless.

Merci beaucoup

Kevin & Jan

Listen Very Carefully

When you say that you are looking to retire to France what will be your source of income When planning remember to take into account currency fluctuations and the fact that France has a higher cost of living As the S1 form has now gone for newbies to France then you may need to take out private insurance for the first few months In relation to health care bear in mind that you are advised to take out a top up insurance when you can join the french state system This sort of thing are the "hidden costs" of moving to France that you may not think about
In addition you may not be able to keep any uk bank accounts or bank cards as a French resident Many people are losing their access to accounts that they have had for many years so check with your pension provider whether or not they will transfer direct to a French account and the costs There could also be costs incoming on a French bank account now that the UK is no longer a full member of SEPA and of course very few french bank accounts are free>A Transferwise cross border account could be an option -just a few things to mull over
But more importantly ask yourselves what do we want from our retirement and where do we want to be as choosing the wrong area can be an expensive and emotional mistake For example we chose Brittany as we wanted to be near a coast line but also we wanted a crack at self sufficiency and we could get land and a nice house at a sensible price
Once you get closer and there are specifics please ask away
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/

Lesmullons

Hi Kevin & Jan,

remember to also take in to account the different tax rates applied in France to unearned income. For example, there is no such thing as a tax free lump sum from pensions and income from ISAs are also taxable. This made a significant difference when we moved as we had to declare tax free lump sums taken from occupational and private pensions and pay (at the time) an additional 7%. I echo others in that apart from housing, every day life is more expensive in France but that is fine as long as you go in with eyes wide open. Enjoy the planning!

cyrian

Hi K&J
I am always suspicious of online seminars or overseas property seminars because the end product is usually one-way-or-another, to separate you from your money.
You can find the answers to all your questions regarding living in France on this forum.
There are so many differences between UK laws and customs and French ones.
What you assume to be the norm is often very different in France.
Good luck with your search and your questions.

Tweedpipe

Wise words indeed from Cyrian. Take a lot of advise offered from commercial-related seminars with a large pinch of garlic. Whatever additional doubts and queries you may have prior to 'taking the plunge', ask here beforehand. Otherwise buyer beware!

Jon-Bxl

Hi LVC Recently my mutuel in Belgium asked me to get an S1 form from my UK pension provider, which could help with my mutuel monthly charge. Apparently some part of medical costs can be transferred to the UK as I am drawing a pension there. Thus my charges might diminish. Worth a go if so.

I'm guessing that this is the same document you refer to above. Im a long term expat not a newbie.

Could you/someone point me to any information, please, regarding the S1 and how I can get my pension co. to send it to me.

Thanks in advance... And I promise you'll only have to 'say it only once'

Jon

Listen Very Carefully

Your pension company in the UK has nothing to do with an S1 form This is issued to UK residents in the EU by the uk govt (DWP) when they get their UK state pension which at present is at the age of 66 If you were resident in the EU prior to 1 Jan 2021 you can still get your S1 I assume that you are eligible for a UK state pension If so you can get a forecast here
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

It will be helpful if you have your NI number handy

Jon-Bxl

Thanks LVC for the detailed reply.

​​​​​​It looks like the S1 form is used throughout the EU so is the same document. Im wondering why my Mutuel asked me to get one from my (private) pension company. Perhaps she didn't know the difference. Which I understand as pensions are quite different UK vs Belgium (in my case). Though I did explain the difference in our meeting.

Thanks also for the state pension tool info - it is great and will help people who arent aware of it. (Though it was a year out of date when I used it) I was able to use it early last year, but I cant get in anymore. But last years information was very useful for me to check everything and e.g buy AVC's.

I'll now search the DWP info, for more details about S1... Info much appreciated

Jon

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-health-care-cover-in-the-european-economic-area-ca8454#who-can-apply