Living in France
Your Complete Financial Guide
Moving to or living in France as a UK national brings unique opportunities — and responsibilities. From understanding residency rules to optimising tax, pensions, and investments, getting the right advice early can save you time, money, and stress.
At SJB Global, we specialise in helping expats organise their financial lives and navigate the complexities of French and UK cross-border rules.
Thinking of Moving to France? Get your FREE expert guide on tax, pensions, and financial planning for UK nationals.
Understanding Residency and Taxes
Moving to France is exciting, but it comes with important financial considerations. One of the first things to determine is whether you will be classed as a French tax resident. Your residency status affects where your income is taxed, how your pensions, property, and investments are treated, and which reporting obligations apply.
Residency is typically determined by factors such as your main home, time spent in France, and where your economic interests lie. It’s also important to consider how France’s rules interact with double taxation agreements, such as the one with the UK, to avoid being taxed twice.
Navigating paperwork, deadlines, and reporting requirements can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re used to the UK system. Expert advice ensures your income and assets are declared correctly, helping you avoid mistakes and giving you peace of mind from day one.
Your Guide to French Taxes & Financial Planning
Click below to explore the main areas of French tax and financial planning that most expats need to consider.
Smart Tax and Financial Planning
Living in France opens the door to planning opportunities that can improve your overall tax position. By carefully structuring income and assets, you can often reduce income tax, manage social charges more effectively, and plan for capital gains and wealth tax. Our advisers create practical plans tailored to your situation, whether you are employed, self-employed, or retired.
Income Tax & Social Charges
French income tax rates are progressive, but understanding the quotient familial system can help lower your effective rate. Social charges are often misunderstood, and many expats pay more than necessary. Depending on your healthcare affiliation and whether you receive the UK State Pension, you may be partially or fully exempt from some charges.
Capital Gains & Property
Selling property in France or abroad may trigger capital gains tax, but exemptions and allowances can reduce your liability. How property is held—jointly, individually, or through a structure—also affects tax and inheritance implications. If you own UK property, careful planning can prevent unexpected double taxation.
Wealth Tax (IFI)
The Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière (IFI) applies to real estate assets worldwide above a certain threshold. With careful structuring and allowable deductions such as mortgages, you can often reduce the taxable base and limit exposure.
Inheritance & Gifting Strategies
French succession laws are strict, and without proper planning, assets may not go to the intended beneficiaries. Strategies such as gifting during your lifetime, assurance-vie policies, and using available allowances help you pass on wealth efficiently and in line with your wishes.
Key Considerations for Expats in France
Residency & Tax Status
Your residency status determines where you pay tax, how pensions and investments are taxed, and what foreign assets must be reported.
Asset & Income Reporting
As a French resident, you must declare worldwide income and assets — pensions, UK rental income, bank accounts, and more. Correct reporting from day one avoids penalties.
UK Pensions in France
Brexit has changed how UK pensions are accessed from France. We help you choose whether to keep your pension in the UK, transfer it to a QROPS or SIPP, or draw income in the most tax-efficient way.
Business & Self-Employment
Expats running businesses or working as freelancers have specific tax and reporting obligations. Planning early ensures compliance and minimises liabilities.
Double Taxation Agreements
France has agreements with many countries, including the UK, to prevent double taxation. These treaties determine which country taxes different types of income and how foreign taxes can be credited. Understanding these agreements is essential for managing your cross-border finances efficiently.
Healthcare & Social Security Implications
Residency affects healthcare coverage, social security contributions, and eligibility for reimbursements. Retirees, employed expats, and self-employed individuals may each fall under different schemes. Planning ahead ensures access to healthcare while optimising contributions.
Practical Checklist & Resources
Moving to France or becoming a French tax resident involves a range of important financial and reporting considerations. From understanding your residency status to planning pensions, inheritance, and social contributions, staying informed is key to avoiding penalties and making the most of available allowances. Use the checklist below to guide your planning and access official resources to ensure compliance and confidence in managing your finances abroad.
- Determine your French tax residency status – Understand how residency affects income, pensions, and reporting obligations.
- Register with French tax authorities – Ensure you are correctly registered to avoid penalties.
- Declare worldwide income & assets – Include pensions, UK rental income, bank accounts, and other investments.
- Review UK pensions & consider transfers – Decide whether to keep your pension in the UK, transfer it to a QROPS or SIPP, or draw income tax-efficiently.
- Plan inheritance & gifting strategies – Use assurance-vie policies and allowances to pass on wealth according to your wishes.
- Check social charges & healthcare contributions – Make sure you are registered correctly and taking advantage of exemptions where applicable.
Resources
- Official French Tax Authority – Government guidance for expats.
- UK HMRC Guidance for Expats – Information on pensions and foreign income.
Stay Up to Date on French Taxes
Moving to France or recently arrived? Check the latest residency rules, tax rates, and reporting requirements to stay compliant. Visit our dedicated page for a complete breakdown of French income tax rates, deadlines, allowances, and reporting obligations. You can also download the PDF to view at your own pace and refer back whenever you need.
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I've just completed the transfer of my UK pension to an international setup with SJB Global and Alex Gover as my Advisor. The process was made very clear by Alex... read more
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After having a bad experience worrying about an underperforming portfolio after moving my pension out of the UK (a QUROPS) I decided to make the changeover to it being... read more
Mike Hatrick
I have been a client of SJB Global for the past 3 years and, during that time, Matt Quinn has worked diligently to safeguard my portfolio, advising (but never pushing)... read more
Rob Leach
Since start of using SJB Global in 2018, I've restructured my pension and savings plans. Professional knowledge, experience and understanding of different available products has enabled me to make... read more
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Alex Gover at SJB Global is a pleasure to work with. He is very professional, knowledgeable, and personable. I have no hesitation in recommending him and SJB Global. Alex advised... read more
Dan
Great experience using Ben at SJB global. Made it so easy to draw down funds, great timely communication with the added complexity of a 11 hour time difference. More importantly... read more
R S
I've just completed the transfer of my UK pension to an international setup with SJB Global and Alex Gover as my Advisor. The process was made very clear by Alex... read more
Andrew Taylor
Having spent over 24 years of my working life in the UK, I decided to retire back in my home country. But with the issue of having to transfer my... read more
Didier Fernandez
Friendly and efficient. Sam was incredibly patient with me and spent a lot of time discussing my savings and pension objectives before making his recommendations.
Sue Kaye
Ready to Get Started?
Managing your finances in two countries doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right advice, you can feel confident that you are compliant, tax-efficient, and well-prepared for the future.
What does the obligation free call include?
An initial 15-minute introduction call explaining our services and how we can help.
We go through a fact-finding exercise so we can then provide a full financial planning report including a personalised retirement forecast with future projections and work out how on track you are.
Lastly, we will provide a recommendation on any areas where we feel you could improve.
Who is SJB Global and meet your adviser
Our regulations, Independence and Fees
Our process from start to finish
Area we help with including:
UK Pension Advice
Retirement Planning
Investment Planning
Tax Planning
US Expat Services
International Estate Planning
Note: Minimum managed assets for SJB Global is £100,000 or currency equivalent.
Licensing & Regulations
Nexus Global specialises in providing a regulatory platform and compliance support to international financial advisers and intermediaries to enable them to meet regulatory requirements to provide their clients with a professional service. The financial advisers trading under SJB Global are members of Nexus Global. Nexus Global is a division of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited (BFMI). All approved members of Nexus Global are appointed representatives of BFMI. BFMI is licensed and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (FSC) and bound by the rules under licence number 3647: http://www.fsc.gi/regulated-entity/blacktower-financial-management-international-limited-3647.
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