expat network

Moving to France – What You Need to Know

So, you are moving to France!

Whether you are emigrating, taking a short term assignment or joining family in France we have put together the information you will need to make your move a smooth one.

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young Brits looking for overseas property

Cost Of Living Crisis Prompts Increase In Young Brits Looking For Property Abroad

New data has shown a 31% increase in young British people (aged 18-24) looking for overseas property in Europe in the last three months of 2022 vs the same period in 2021, as the cost of living crisis in the UK, combined with growing unaffordability of UK housing appears to be prompting more young people…

UK Inheritance Tax And Domicile – What You Need To Know Today

UK inheritance tax follows you around the world since it’s based on domicile, not residence. You could live abroad long term and still be liable for this legacy tax. Here, Blevins Franks look at key facts about UK inheritance tax and domicile and how it could affect your intended heirs. Written…

Organising Your Retirement To France

Retirement abroad is increasingly popular, with over one million British expats having their pension paid overseas. It is less common for citizens of the US to retire abroad, but there are around 550,000 Americans who receive their social security benefits abroad. Non-EU citizens can obtain a long-stay visa for retirement in France, which allows you…

Half Of Overseas Owners Plan To Work From Their European Holiday Homes

50% of people buying abroad are now considering working from their European holiday homes, new research reveals. In a survey of nearly 600 home hunters conducted by overseas property experts Your Overseas Home, half of respondents said they may work from their holiday home once they’ve found their ideal property – proof that a home…

Digital Nomad Visas Prompt Continued Interest In European Property

New data released today from overseas property portal Kyero.com shows increased interest in European property from overseas buyers in the first three months of 2022, which it partly attributes to the rise of digital nomads looking to work overseas post-Covid, and new visas being introduced encouraging them to do so. …

How To Open A Restaurant In Another Country

If your dream is to open a restaurant, but you haven’t quite found the perfect opportunity to do so, starting one in a new country may be the right option for you. Opening a restaurant in a completely different country is a little more involved than opening one locally, but it can be an…

Can Brits Still Afford To Move Or Retire To The Sun?

Now the UK has left the EU, work permits in Spain are more difficult to obtain and if you plan to retire to Spain you have to get a visa and demonstrate that you can financially support yourself. These more onerous requirements have ended the dreams of those who had planned to move or retire…

How Will Your UK Pension Be Taxed If You Move To Europe?

Many Britons have been putting their retirement plans to sunny southern Europe on hold for two or more years while the UK extracts itself from the EU. Covid lockdowns mean the opportunities to sell a UK home and buy a property in Europe have been limited. The ending of travel restrictions will release pent-up…

Maintain Connection With The UK Without Roaming Charges

What Do New Roaming Charges Mean? UK providers have reintroduced roaming charges for Brits abroad, due to Brexit, meaning connecting to the UK will be more difficult than ever. But no need to panic, Xpatfone, powered by Devyce, is the solution, a modern business phone system with a specific package for expats wanting to…

Online Booking Platform For Furnished Apartments

Homelike is an online booking platform for furnished apartments, with 85,000+ apartments in 450+ cities. It is suitable for people on the move who are in need of accommodation from one month onwards with flexible move in and move out dates. With no extra customer fees (except in Spain) and all the utility costs…

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.