Matrimonial regimes in Estate planning
by Matthew Cameron The implications on a married couple’s estate of different matrimonial regimes in France are often not well understood by British nationals. When couples marry in France – as in other jurisdictions around the world – they can choose what matrimonial rules apply to their estate. This can affect what will happen to […]
‘Mandat de Protection Future’
by Carolyn Chamberlain Should you ever become unable to look after your own affairs (medical or financial) it makes life a lot easier if you have already set up a ‘Mandat de Protection Future’. Recently, while my daughter was visiting, we went to see my local Notaire to set up a ‘Mandat de Protection Future’ […]
Energy ratings and selling a house in France
In a decree published in the Official Journal on 4 May 2022 anyone who wants to sell a property from September 2022 that is ranked in the F or G categories (i.e. those that are projected to need a minimum 330 KWh/m2 of energy per year) will also need to pay for an ‘audit […]
Bringing your pets into France
The French government has clarified its post-Brexit rules on pets, particularly for second-home owners. UK nationals who live in France can still benefit from the EU Pet Passport but people living in the UK now need an Animal Health Certificate (ACH) for travel if they wish to bring their pets to France. Unlike the Pet […]
A introduction to the Visitor visa
By Sasha Smit-Marcadier and Sarah Vincent You may be visiting France this summer and thinking of relocating this winter! There is a variety of visas to choose from and making the right decision will depend on your situation. Following our previous article, this one is about residency and will focus on the Visitor visa (retiree, […]
Loan insurance & Lemoine Law
By Romain Rousseau The new law Allows any policyholder to cancel their loan insurance contract at any time and at no cost for all loan offers issued from 1 June 2022 onwards and for all insurance contracts in force from 1 September 2022 onwards. Eases the medical requirements for obtaining a loan. It is no […]
Summer visitors and Attestation d’accueil
It is that time of year again when many people come and visit France and stay with friends or family for less than three months. For such a type of stay in France, visitors who are third country nationals (UK, USA, Australia, etc.) must present: •a passport valid for at least 3 months after the […]
Builder’s Ten Year Insurance
by Gerald Humphreys The assurance décennale taken out by the builder/contractor covers their liability in the event of defects arising during the ten year guarantee period. The insurance is obligatory and there are severe penalties for a builder (or architect) who does not carry appropriate insurance. Before signing a contact with your builder/architect you should check: That the […]
Ten Year Building Guarantee
by Gerald Humphreys If you engage a builder to undertake construction work, by law their work must be guaranteed for a period of up to ten years. The responsibility is referred to as ‘la responsabilité décennale’. Where a defect arises the client is not obliged to prove the fault and the building contractor is presumed to be responsible. However, the […]
New Inheritance Law
On 1st November 2021 a new Inheritance law was adopted in France that potentially overrides the wishes of UK Nationals living in France who have previously created a will that elected their estate to be governed by their national law rather than France. Article 24 of the new French Law adds a paragraph that states […]