CiliaAnn
English expat in France
Forum posts
34
About me
English
Lives in Ivry-sur-Seine, ÃŽle-de-France
Speaks English French Spanish Portuguese some Italian and German
Registration: 22 May 2020
Introduction : I've been living in France for a while by GuestPoster5
Hi everyone,I've been living in France for a while, I have 2 children and 2 cats.I look forward to chatting with you,Claire
Hello Claire. I live between Ivry sur Seine in Val de Marne and Algarve, Portugal. I'm mad about cats, children are okay too. I have a really international family and am happy to communicate... and exchange cat stories and pictures.Have a very nice ... Read More
Tracing French Pensions by RetiringRoy
Hi All,I worked in France from 1990-2005 before moving back to the UK where I am now based and facing retirement!I would like to ask if anyone can advise how I can trace my Pensions ( both State & Corporate) that are locked somewhere in the ...
You are certainly entitled to a French pension for your stint working for French companies. As you have your Secu number and payslips there should be no problem although it might take a little time. Try writing to the CNAV of the district you worked ... Read More
New members of the France forum, introduce yourselves here - 2023 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the France forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Welcome to Europe! I live in France, just outside Paris. I have family all over, Germany, Spain, UK, Portugal, Australia. My brother lives in New Zealand. Would like to get in touch when you arrive in this fascinating continent of multiple ... Read More
Paying French taxes by Trorn
Hi allI have a property in France and have holiday lets via an agency.I have to pay French taxes but I don't have a French bank account - I use Revolut and Starling, but I can't seem to pay my taxes online.Does anyone know how to pay taxes fonciers ...
You could go to your nearest Hotel des Impots or get the agency to do it for you. My brother whose official residence is New Zealand, has a property in Portugal. He has a fiscal rep in Portugal who bills him for the taxes each year. Not sure this ... Read More
Looking for advice on the fundamentals - Uzès by GuestPoster90401
I bought a house in Uzès in June and take possession in September. I have Canadian, UK and Polish citizenship and the latter affords me right of residency in the EU. However, it's likely Uzès will be a vacation home for a while, ...
Hello Rustic IslanderCongratulations on soon becoming the owner of property in Uzès. The piece of advice I could give you only covers one of your questions - a bank ... I would recommend La Banque Postale. The charges are lower than regular ... Read More
Anthotype and/or cyanotype fans in France
Is there anyone who enjoys this primitive form of photography? I'd enjoy exchanging experiences and images ... Read More
Long wait for French nationality
You need patience if you apply for French nationality. Sendng off the documents and getting a letter to say you'd forgotten one or two and that they need an oficial translation, a few visits to the Préfecture of your département, the ... Read More
Your best culinary memory in France by Mickael
Hello everyone, As you know, every country has its own flavours and tasting the local cuisine is a great way to discover the culture of a destination. Whether it's a small typical restaurant to taste local dishes, a traditional meal in a local's ...
Having been an au pair way back in the 70s, in the département de l'Allier, I had the opportunity to taste so many good dishes, new to my palate. I loved the "daube" made with rabbit or hare, also the "paté de pomme de terre" which is ... Read More
Keeping busy as a 70 year old expat lady by Islandlady
Hello, can anyone talk about what they do to occupy their time as a single lady>Â
Hello, I'm a retired lady over 75 and can recommend some activities :- learn another language which entails written exercises- cultivate a manual activity, take care of house plants, garden if you are lucky enough to have one!- join the local ... Read More
All about taxes for expats in France by Diksha
Hi everyone, Taxation is an important subject, especially when you are an expatriate in France. We would like to know what you think about the tax system in your host country. This could be helpful to other people preparing for expatriation in ...
Hello, I've lived and worked in France since 1980 and for the first 3 or 4 years it didn't occur to me to do a tax declaration, having been used to the PAYE system in the UK., Suddenly in August 1985, I received 4 letters from the Fisc ... Read More
Finding a job in France during the pandemic
Sorry, Diksha. I am retired so have nothing to report ... However, good luck to all those looking for a job. I have learnt in the past that one should leave all options open. Sometimes you get good surprises by taking a job that is not ... Read More
Places to see in France by Anadeem
I hope everyone is fine and doing well, looking for an opportunity to see someone's support in advising on Places to See in Paris or in France overall, or even travel partner. It depends to see the understanding of the person. Thanks in advance
A vast subject ... so much to see and experience in France. There are mountains and coastlines, green pastures and urban environments influenced by history, tradition and movement of population. There will always be another region, city, town to ... Read More
UK citizens and Brexit by SimCityAT
Some good news [url=https://www.politico.eu/article/france-gives-brits-three-more-months-to-apply-for-post-brexit-residence-cards/?fbclid=IwAR0hHwifAT2hOIQcAbdcxuBBrnA_H_qQJXEGwZoJ1rwKs7i6zVnlpiEFxek]France gives Brits three more months to apply ...
Thank you, Simcity. Helpful link. Read More
UK citizens and Brexit by SimCityAT
Some good news [url=https://www.politico.eu/article/france-gives-brits-three-more-months-to-apply-for-post-brexit-residence-cards/?fbclid=IwAR0hHwifAT2hOIQcAbdcxuBBrnA_H_qQJXEGwZoJ1rwKs7i6zVnlpiEFxek]France gives Brits three more months to apply ...
Hello Where did you find this information please? I need to get it to my nephew, who is a Brit, doesn't speak good French, has been working since January 2020 in Paris and got started recently on his application for a Carte de Séjour. He ... Read More
Living in the Dordogne. by Muzz24
I have always hired gardening tools, but I have made my mind up to buy some...I am looking for a mower, a Strimmer and a hedge trimmer. Can we find this sort of thing on here?
How about looking on Le Bon Coin, entering your postcode? You could also post an alert. Enjoy your gardening ... Read More
Visas for Americans - need information on the system? by CorinneVox
Hi, Everyone - I am Corinne... an American who will be relocating to France. I am confused as to which type of Visa to get... I could get the Visitor's visa as I meet the qualifications, but I would like to work as I've been a professor ...
Hello. Yes, good idea to learn French in your case. However, you seem to have the qualifications necessary to teach English and now is the time to apply for jobs in the teaching sector. I am retired from TEFL teaching and unfortunately the school ... Read More
Titré de séjour by JL3
Hello everyone, My visa long séjour (married to French national) is expiring in a bit less than month and a half. I am Serbian citizen. Can someone please help me with the procedure for applying for titre de séjour... my préfecture ...
Hello - I imagine you can apply on line by attaching scanned copies of your documents. You should then get an automatically generated response which proves you have made the application. Then it's a case of patience ... I'm not an expert ... Read More
Moving to France - Family reunion by Emmi Doherty
Dear All, I'm from Sri Lanka and my husband is an Irish (from Republic of Ireland) living in France. I'm moving with him to France. After few months of searching, finally he found an apartment which fulfills the requirement of accommodation. Now, ...
Hi Emmi, just one piece of information : your Irish husband does not need a Carte de Séjour in order to live and work in France. The Irish Republic is still a part of the European Union. Good luck with everything. Read More
PLSSS HELP! Can I apply French Citizenship through naturalisation? by pariscmnt
Can I apply French Citizenship after I graduate french university? I gonna go to Paris with Working Holiday Visa ( I'm Korea, so I can apply this visa and this visa let me work and study in France for one-year without any limitation.) I use ...
Read Heloise's post really carefully. She says it all. I applied for French naturalisation over 4 years ago, submitted the required documents. All was in order. I had an interview in French which posed no problems, as I see it I've ... Read More
Renewal of carte de séjour post Brexit by Tracey11
I applied for a carte de séjour en February 2019 valid for 10 years and now have to renew/change it because of Brexit. I just cannot find out how to renew it as the websites don’t have the option for this in view of Brexit. Anyone else ...
In my opinion you are not obliged to change it. It should last you the 10 years until 2029. I am not aware of any difference between Carte de Séjour before Brexit came into force and the current version. But of course, my opinion is not ... Read More
About recepise by Bercky Sunshine
I just have refugee status this month so they said I have to wait for my recepeci to come out before my carta sejour so I want to ask how many months can it take before my recepeci can come out or my carta sejour will come out and can I travel with ...
Patience and enjoy the sunshine! It's a loss of energy to try to hurry the authorities in most countries and France is no exception. However, I imagine you will be able to travel around your area once you have the ... Read More
renewing carte de sejour by wendybutteriss73
Hi everyone. My name is Wendy and I have lived in Salvagnac since 2004 so quite a few years. Me and my husband, both pensioners traipsed all the way to Albi prefecture three times in 2019 to secure our 10yr carte de sejour. Armed with a mountain of ...
Hello, if you both have 10 year 'cartes de séjour' delivered in 2019, you should be 'en règle' until 2029. 'Traipsed' gives me the impression you walked all the way! I hope, for you, that this wasn't the case. ... Read More
Brexit in l'Ardèche - no contact with prefecture by kip kip 25
Hello all! As a Scotsman in France, I am eagerly awaiting my titre de sejour but have yet to be contacted by the prefecture d'Ardèche in Privas. I've asked them to confirm if they have my dossier (which I sent in October 2020) but they ...
Hello, When you say 'they will not confirm', what do you mean exactly? If you applied using the website of the Ministère de l'Intérieur, sending your scanned documents, you should have immediately received an email confirming ... Read More
What struck you about France? by Cheryl
Hello everybody, When you first settled in France, you might have been struck by cultural aspects of life in France and you might even have anecdotes about your integration here. We would like you to share with expats-to-be what you discovered ...
I was 18 when I first came to France. That was a very long time ago. Flying was out of the question as in the 60s, far too expensive and sophisticated. I came by ferry to Dieppe and then train to the Gare Saint-Lazare. Black tobacco in the heat ... Read More
Looking for a place to live where I could feel good! by Guest7676
Hi all, I'm 34, living in France. I have lived in several cities since I started working but I have not yet been charmed by one. I don't like living in France at all. I would like to discover a new country, an island or something close to ...
Hello - why not try Portugal? The people are really pleasant and there is so much history, beautiful coastline, lovely countryside. The cost of living is very reasonable, fruit, vegetables and fish at the local markets enable you to keep to a ... Read More
Vaccines required in France by Diksha
Hello everybody, When living or moving abroad, and in particular in France, vaccination against certain diseases is often required to enter the country or to avoid risks. We would like to ask you a few questions to help future expats ...
I am an expat, living in France since 1980. I will get vaccinated against Covid19 as soon as this is possible for my age group (between 65 and 75). Of course, before coming to France, I had the usual vaccines when I was a child. I also had ... Read More
Two Carte de sejour questions, simple. by Jayeinsaumur
Thank you to Julie and others on the forum who helped me navigate French bureaucracy. I now have my Carte de Séjour, which I thought would allow me to freely come and go without the three months at a time restriction. (My daughter is married to ...
Hello - it depends on your nationality. You may need to declare your income and pay taxes accordingly, You may need a fiscal representative, that is if you stay in the country for more than 6 months. Check whether this is a consecutive period or ... Read More
Covid19 travel between EU states
Hello Am looking for advice regarding travel between France and Portugal, France and Germany, and Portugal and Germany. Any ideas when I can safely book flights or train tickets without being refused entry? I travel on a British passport, do not ... Read More