Home » Country Specific Guides » Living in France » Transferring UK Pension to a SIPP

Transferring a UK Pension When Living in France:
Understanding SIPP’s France Flag

If you’re a UK expat living in France, one of the biggest financial decisions you may face is what to do with your UK pension. For many, transferring to a SIPP which is set up for non-UK residents is an attractive option (also referred to as an International SIPP).

Here’s what you need to know about how a SIPP works, the rules and charges involved, and the benefits they can offer for retirees in France.

What is an SIPP?

An SIPP is designed to accept transfers from UK pension schemes, including both defined contribution and defined benefit pensions. Some SIPPs are only available for UK residents, whereas others are designed for non-UK residents. If you set up a SIPP as a UK resident, it’s likely that you have a SIPP that’s only available for UK residents, meaning you won’t have the option of making additional transfers into the scheme, plus you may have access or death benefits restrictions. A SIPP for a non-UK resident as generally only available through a financial adviser.

For UK nationals living in France, SIPPs can offer flexibility and control over retirement savings that many UK-based schemes may not provide.

Hand placing a coin in a purse, symbolizing American expats saving money through tax loss harvesting.

Who Qualifies to Transfer to a SIPP?

If you have existing UK personal pensions, workplace pensions, or preserved benefits from previous UK employment, you qualify to transfer them to a SIPP. You cannot create new contributions if you do not have UK-relevant earnings, but you can still transfer existing UK pensions into a SIPP.

One red bowling pin standing out among beige pins on a white table against a yellow backdrop

Benefits of a SIPP for Residents in France

While there are important tax rules to navigate, SIPP’s can offer significant advantages for expats in France:

Taxation

PCLS payments from a SIPP are paid gross of UK income tax, and the 75% income part is taxed at source, which can be claimed back in France, helping you avoid double taxation issues. You may also be eligible to apply for an NT tax code so that it’s all paid gross of tax.

Access Flexibility

From age 55, you can take a 25% lump sum and choose flexible drawdown arrangements.

Full Access

You can withdraw 100% of your pension from age 55 if you choose.

Greater Investment Choice

SIPPs often offer a wider range of investment options than UK schemes, including access to global markets. If you have a SIPP that’s set up for expats, your access to funds is unrestricted, whereas SIPPs for UK residents are limited to UK-domiciled funds.

Multi-Currency Options

For expat SIPPs, you can hold and withdraw your pension in any major worldwide currency, reducing currency risk if you spend in euros.

French Taxation for SIPP Transfers

If you transfer a UK pension to a SIPP while living in France, understanding French taxation rules is essential. Applying for an NT tax code or reclaiming UK tax can help prevent double taxation and ensure your withdrawals are handled correctly.

Check the latest French tax rates to see how your SIPP withdrawals may be affected and stay fully compliant.

Traditional French house with lavender in the foreground and rolling hills in the background

See What Our Clients Say

  • Hi,I would just like to say,SJB Global are a life saver and the person who helped me with my pension needs was Daniel Latimer..At first I was was a little... read more

    Adrian Churchill Avatar Adrian Churchill

    I am hard to catch hold of , a skeptic and slow to make moves. The SJB Global team proved patient, thorough, pressure free and factual and friendly the whole... read more

    James Doyle Avatar James Doyle

    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 Avatar Didier Fernandez
  • I moved my investment portfolio to SJB Global earlier this year as I was not seeing any growth with my previous investment company. I have to say that from the... read more

    Paul Simms Avatar Paul Simms

    It is now been almost 18 months that I have been working with Matthew from SJB monitoring and advising on my pension policy. The support I am getting from Matthew... read more

    Iyad Hindawi Avatar Iyad Hindawi

    It’s been a breath of fresh air dealing with Jake from SJB Global. My previous advisor had set up my portfolio badly with annual costs eating heavily into my profits.... read more

    Darren Nash Avatar Darren Nash
  • I have to say that working with Randal Stephens has been a sincere pleasure and in the large majority of cases a blessing. His competence, his attitude to help a... read more

    Alfonso Gentile Avatar Alfonso Gentile

    Hi,I would just like to say,SJB Global are a life saver and the person who helped me with my pension needs was Daniel Latimer..At first I was was a little... read more

    Adrian Churchill Avatar Adrian Churchill

    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 Avatar Sue Kaye
  • Worked with Robert Hoey who arranged my Pensions and Investments details in a patient professional manner. Robert has impressed me with his knowledge and understanding of my situation and my... read more

    Geoffrey Rea Avatar Geoffrey Rea

    Very good experience with SJB for pension and tax planning.

    Dave Lea Avatar Dave Lea

    very professional, friendly. good expertise. able to answer any and all relevant questions. proactive and trustworthy

    jeremy hotchkiss Avatar jeremy hotchkiss
  • 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

    Paul Austin Avatar Paul Austin

    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 Avatar Andrew Taylor

    Outstanding customer service - really happy.

    Olaf Ulrich Avatar Olaf Ulrich
  • 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 Avatar Andrew Taylor

    We have been extremely impressed with the professionalism and quality of SJB Global. Randal has been our contact throughout the process of setting up our arrangements and he has shown... read more

    Martin Kelsey Avatar Martin Kelsey

    I feel very well looked after since I transferred my pension to SJB Global. Daniel responds promptly, concisely and clearly to my queries. Additionally SJB offer very competitive management and... read more

    Graham Tod Avatar Graham Tod
  • 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 Avatar Mike Hatrick

    As first time clients of SJB global who have dealt solely with Mr Alex Gover from the moment of our initial approach to SJB and our subsequent investment. The... read more

    Roslyn Kelly Avatar Roslyn Kelly

    very knowledgeable, transparent and always clear communication

    Stephen Daly Avatar Stephen Daly
  • Piers made my portfolio grow ad cut those toxic investments that otherwise would have gotten me into financial trouble. I'm very lucky to be a customer.

    Tatyana van 't Hof-Minayeva Avatar Tatyana van 't Hof-Minayeva

    I moved my investment portfolio to SJB Global earlier this year as I was not seeing any growth with my previous investment company. I have to say that from the... read more

    Paul Simms Avatar Paul Simms

    SJB Global have been my pension provider for a few years now. From switching over which was effortless to the array of products that they have access to is impressive.... read more

    Justin Woodmansee Avatar Justin Woodmansee
  • SJB Global have been my pension provider for a few years now. From switching over which was effortless to the array of products that they have access to is impressive.... read more

    Justin Woodmansee Avatar Justin Woodmansee

    My adviser was comprehensive and thorough in ensuring they fully understood my situation and my objectives. The solution provided gives a good return but also reduces the management costs notably... read more

    Glenn Vaughan Avatar Glenn Vaughan

    Jake Barber has been a fantastic Financial Advisor for me. When I was moving from the UK to Germany last Summer, I was searching online for a Financial Advisor who... read more

    Siddique Khan Avatar Siddique Khan
  • Down to earth financial advice, and fees that don't cost the earth.

    Peter Nutt Avatar Peter Nutt

    Following the decision to switch to SJB Global in 2020 Matthew Quinn has been there with professional advice, information and support every step of the way since. I would certainly... read more

    ian killoh Avatar ian killoh

    Very professional and trustworthy financial consultants. I have had many discussions and dealings with Alex Gover and have found him to be extremely helpful, honest and insightful.

    Chris Marsden Avatar Chris Marsden
  • 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 Avatar Mike Hatrick
  • Worked with Robert Hoey who arranged my Pensions and Investments details in a patient professional manner. Robert has impressed me with his knowledge and understanding of my situation and my... read more

    Geoffrey Rea Avatar Geoffrey Rea
  • Excellent service Lewis was fantastic to deal with on all matters

    Steve Weston Avatar Steve Weston
  • 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

    Paul Austin Avatar Paul Austin
  • SJB Global have been my pension provider for a few years now. From switching over which was effortless to the array of products that they have access to is impressive.... read more

    Justin Woodmansee Avatar Justin Woodmansee
  • Following the decision to switch to SJB Global in 2020 Matthew Quinn has been there with professional advice, information and support every step of the way since. I would certainly... read more

    ian killoh Avatar ian killoh
  • I received excellent personalised service & advice from Alex. He went above and beyond to listen to my needs and propose a custom investment plans suited to my needs, earning... read more

    Karine Pierre-Louis Avatar Karine Pierre-Louis
  • I’ve dealt with Lewis over the past few months and he has been great help in transferring my pension across. He was always very professional and patient, ensuring I fully... read more

    tanya spelkova Avatar tanya spelkova
  • Thoroughly satisfied in the service, no hesitation in recommending Lewis and the team.

    Iain Powell Avatar Iain Powell
  • 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 Avatar Andrew Taylor

Get Expert Advice on Transferring Your UK Pension

Transferring a UK pension to a SIPP while living in France involves complex rules around access, taxation, and investment options. Expert guidance can help you navigate these considerations, avoid costly mistakes, and make the most of your retirement savings.

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.

Get Your Free France Guides

Fill in the form once to unlock our full guide on UK pensions, taxation, and financial planning in France. You’ll be redirected to our downloads page, where you can save this guide and explore other resources to assist with your financial planning.

Access Guides
Contact Us