Property Sales to Non Residents

19th July 2024

In line with the general market, sales to foreign non-residents fell last year, as did average sale prices.

According to a new report by French bank Crédit Commercial de France (CCF), sales to foreign non-residents fell by 14% last year to 14,256, down from 16,614 in 2022.

British Nationals Refused Entry to France

16th July 2024

A new report provides an insight on the number of British nationals refused entry to France in 2023, and the reasons given.

According to the latest figures from Eurostat, the EU statistical office, last year 195 British nationals were refused entry to France. Given that millions travel to France each year from the UK, unless you happen to be one of them, the number is not significant.

French Driving Licence - Recovery of Points

13th July 2024

How to recover lost points in the French driving licence points system.

France's Most Polluted Beaches

10th July 2024

The 93 polluted beaches to avoid this summer.

France rightly has a strong reputation for the quality of its beaches, with the overwhelming majority of beaches suitable for bathing. You can find some of our favourites at Best Beaches in France

French Parliamentary Elections 2024

8th July 2024

Despite widespread relief that the predicted electoral victory for the extreme right did not materialise, they made substantial gains, and there are choppy waters ahead for France.

To the surprise of most commentators, it was the left-wing alliance (Nouveau Front Populaire - NFP) that came out ahead in the second round of the parliamentary elections, in terms of the number of seats, with the extreme right Rassemblement National (RN) relegated to third place.

Unlimited Access to France Insider for €20

21st July 2024

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House Prices in Auvergne

4th July 2024

The housing market in Auvergne is one of the cheapest in France.

Taxe d'Habitation on Second Homes

2nd July 2024

The number of councils who have decided to apply a surtax on the local rates of second homes has risen sharply.

We reported last year on a change in the law concerning the taxe d’habitation on second homes (Taxe d’habitation sur les résidences secondaires - THRS )

Divorce, Separation and Financial Responsibilities

27th June 2024

The tax, property rights and obligations of separating couples have been altered by a new law.

The law aims to ensure ‘patrimonial justice within the family’ by introducing three new provisions governing the financial consequences of a separation.

Tax Service for Non-Residents

25th June 2024

The government acknowledges failures in the tax service to non-residents.

Non-residents who own income generating French property are required to use a dedicated office for their income tax declarations.

Taxe Foncière Bills by Department 2023

21st June 2024

The French tax authority have published the average annual taxe foncière bills payable in each department.

The taxe foncière is the main local rates, payable by all property owners.

Retirement Savings Plan

18th June 2024

The Plan d’Epargne Retraite is a tax efficient savings plan, of interest for both retirement and inheritance planning.

Operating alongside the mandatory state retirement pension schemes in France there are several voluntary plans, with such acronyms as Madelin, PERCO and PERP.

Which French Electricity Supplier?

14th June 2024

Consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to electricity suppliers, but choosing one is no easy task.

The electricity market in France is awash with offers from different electricity companies, most with prices below the regulated EDF tariff.

Speed Cameras and Offences

11th June 2024

Speed cameras in France have a margin of error, the amount of which depends on the type of camera and vehicle speed.

The speed limit on most major roads in France may well be 80km/h, but drive at 85km/h when you encounter a speed camera and you will probably escape a fine.

Guides to Moving to France

7th June 2024

The release of our updated guides to moving to France.

Some of the guides are freely accessible. For others you will need to take out a premium subscription to France Insider.

All further updates to the guides will only be available thorough a premium subscription to France Insider. The cost is €20 a year.

Rural House Prices by Department 2023

5th June 2023

After 6 years of growth, rural house prices fell last year, but with significant differences between departments.

According to a report by the French national rural land agency 'SAFER' (Sociétés d'aménagement foncier et d'établissement rural), on a national basis prices fell by 4.1% last year. The average sale price of a maison de campagne in 2023 was €202,000.

Micro-Entrepreneur Social Security Contributions

3rd June 2024

Micro-entrepreneurs running a business as a profession libérale face an increase in their social security contributions next month.

In the main, they are business owners in the ‘intellectual’ professions, such as architects, doctors, journalists, consultants, IT professionals, accountants and lawyers. Around 600,000 people are affected by the change.

Reduction in Unemployment Benefits

30th May 2024

The government have announced a major reform of unemployment benefit.

The changes mean applicants will need to be employed for longer in order to be entitled to allocation chômage, which will be available for a shorter period.

Court Orders Demolition of House

28th May 2024

Two recent cases in the French courts illustrate the risks of deviating from the approved plan during construction.

Building Too Low

Insurance Claims for Natural Disasters

23rd May 2024

Homeowners' rights to compensation for subsidence, flooding and other natural disasters have been substantially strengthened.

All multi-risk house insurance policies in France make full provision for damage caused by natural disaster (catastrophe naturelle), such as a drought, avalanche, earthquake, or flooding. Damage caused by fire, storms, hail and snow is not covered by the 'CatNat' scheme, but by standard insurance cover.

Taxe Foncière 2023 - Departments

21st May 2024

New figures give a picture of average rates bills for households in 2023.

The report, from the government tax office, notes that the taxe foncière increased by an average of 10.8% last year.

Water Leaks and Reimbursements

18th May 2024

Water authorities in France are under a legal obligation to cap a high bill due to abnormal consumption.

If you receive an abnormally high water bill, caused by a pipe leak after the meter, you can request the local water authority reduce the bill.

Ryanair to Close Bordeaux Base

15th May 2024

Ryanair has announced it is to close its base at Bordeaux airport, but will flights also end?

The airline set up a base in Bordeaux 5 years ago, since when it has established a network of flights to 49 destinations in Europe.

Food Prices in France

13th May 2024

A new study compares food and beverage prices across Europe.

The study, by the European Commission, covered 36 European countries, although the UK was not included.

Who Pays the French Wealth Tax?

10th May 2024

The state collected nearly €2 billion in wealth tax last year, so who pays and how much?

Earlier this month the French government published a report on the receipts from the wealth tax (l’impôt sur la fortune immobilière - IFI) for last year, which totalled €1.9 billion, an increase of 6% on 2022.

Access to Free Health Care

7th May 2024

Households on a modest income are entitled to free health care in France.

Although in France the state picks up the vast majority of healthcare charges, households remain responsible for a small proportion of their treatment costs.

The Chateau and the Poultry Shed

3rd May 2024

Chateau owners take legal action against proposed installation of poultry shed.

In a case that was recently heard in the French court of appeal, a mayor in the commune of Bacilly, Manche, had granted planning permission for the construction of an industrial poultry building with a surface area of 1,350m2.

Neighbour Disputes and Farming Activities

29th April 2024

A new law aims to give farmers more protection from complaints by neighbours - but does it?

The charms of rural life attract many of us buy a property in France, but the pleasures of the countryside are accompanied by their own risks and drawbacks.

Letting Property in France

27th April 2024

A selection of our articles on letting property in France.

Investing in Property in France

Private Swimming Pool and Owners Responsibility

24th April 2024

A recent case in the courts tests the limits of the legal responsibilities of pool owners.

Since 2003 there have been substantial obligations on private pool owners to secure the safety of their pool, either through an alarm system, fence or pool cover.

Record Rainfall Recharges Water Levels

22nd April 2024

Most parts of the country should escape a drought this year, say French geological experts.

According to the latest report from the the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) “The state of the water tables is satisfactory over a large part of the territory.”

French Income Tax Return 2024

19th April 2024

With tax returns to be made next month, here is our guide to income tax in France.

• Liability to French Income Tax
• Who Pays Tax in France?
• Are you Resident or Non-Resident?
• What is your Fiscal Household?
• What Income is Taxed in France?
• French Income Tax Return
• Who Must Make an Income Tax Return?
• Tax Return Dates
• Completing Your French Tax Return
• Calculating Your French Income Tax Liability
• Composition of Your Household
• French Income Tax Rates
• French Income Tax Allowances
• French Tax Credits
• Payment of French Income Tax
• Payment Methods
• Payment Difficulties
• Social Charges
• What are the Social Charges?
• Rates
• Pension Income
• Capital and Investment Income
• Deduction for Income Tax
• Taxation of Savings and Investment Income
• What is the Flat Tax?
• Bank Interest
• Dividends and Shares
• Taxation Options
• Assurance Vie

Tax Credit for Home Help

17th April 2024

The tax break for home help services is too generous, says the French national auditor.

The 'crédit d’impôt' for 'services à la personne' allows taxpayers who pay for domestic services to benefit from a tax advantage equal to 50% of the cost.

Housing Market Q1 2024

15th April 2024

Estate agents oscillate between caution and optimism on the outlook for the housing market.

In recent weeks several major estate agents and their national association have published reviews of the housing market for Q1 of 2024.

Bank Certificates for Property Purchase

14th April 2024

Buyers can sometimes find themselves between a rock and a hard place for a bank certificate on the origin of funds.

Find the full article at Bank Certificates for Property Purchase.

Coastal Erosion - A Creeping Crisis

11th April 2024

A new government report has identified 500 communes where coastal erosion could make certain areas uninhabitable.

According to a report by the Centre d'études et d'expertise sur les risques, l'environnement, la mobilité et l'aménagement (Cerema) around 500 communes along the coastline of France are likely to be severely affected by coastal erosion arising from climate change.

Inheritance Planning in France

10th April 2024

What are the main inheritance planning options in France?

Find the full article at Inheritance Planning in France.

Taxation of Furnished Rental Income 2023/24

8th April 2024

A generous tax allowance is available this year on income from certain classed furnished rental properties.

We recently reported on a change to the taxation of rental income on seasonal lettings (meublés de tourisme).

French Income Tax Payable in 2024

4th April 2024

The amout of income tax payable in France in 2024 at different levels of income and by type of household.

As we reported recently, the French income tax season has begun, and tax declarations on 2023 income must be submitted next month.

France's Leaky Water System

2nd April 2024

A new report highlights the scale of leaks in water pipes in France, in the context of increasingly frequent droughts.

According to 'Sispea' (an observatory on public water and sanitation services), 20% of the water entering the distribution system is lost before it reaches the consumer.

Latent Defects and House Sale

30th March 2024

A recent case in the French courts hinged on the question of 'good faith' over the disclosure of latent defects.

In the case, a couple purchased a house and swimming pool in 2010, but later noticed cracks on the walls and facades of the house, as well as in the swimming pool.

French Tax Return 2024

28th March 2024

The French government have released the dates for submission of the 2024 income tax return.

There are 3 different dates, depending on place of residence, as follows:

How to Buy French Property as an Unmarried Couple

26th March 2024

What is the best way to buy French property as an unmarried couple?

French inheritance laws and taxes complicate property ownership by an unmarried couple.

Vehicle Digital Insurance Certificates

22nd March 2024

The green vehicle insurance windscreen sticker is being abolished.

Drivers in France are required to display a green certificate on their windscreen showing their insurance details.

How to Transfer French Property to Children

20th March 2024

Creating distinct legal interests in property is a common inheritance planning strategy in France, so how does it work?

Find the full article at How to Transfer French Property to Children.

The Most Beautiful Villages of France

19th March 2024

Where are the most beautiful villages of France?

Since 1982, a not-for-profit association called Les Plus Beaux Villages de France has been highlighting the rich rural heritage of France.

Declaration of Property Occupancy 2024

14th March 2024

Property owners in France need to complete the declaration of property occupancy for this year.

Last year, all property owners in France were required to complete a new form (Déclaration des biens immobiliers) on the status of their properties.

Street Trading Licences

12th March 2024

A street trading licence is required by those who sell their products at markets, fairs, shows and along the roadside.

In such cases the activity is considered to be itinerant, or non-sedentary, and the licence required is a carte de commerçant ambulant.

Guides to Visa's and Moving to France

10th March 2024

Our collection of guides about moving to France.

Some of the guides are freely accessible. For others you will need to take out a premium subscription to France Insider The cost is €20 a year.

All further updates to the guides will only be available thorough a premium subscription to France Insider.