Anyone moved from UK to France?

[FiguringOutFlorida]

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has moved from the UK to France.

What have you found tricky, what's been easier than expected?

We have kids aged 6-10 and all of us hold EU passports.

Are you French speaking?

Paperwork paperwork paperwork. For the first year it was an almost daily 'need to do some paperwork' from registering so that you could use the dechetterie to applying for this that or the other...and trying to do everything right when it annoyed them because it was all too much too soon [eg we wanted to register in time for the tax return but no, we had to wait and then do everything in just a few days]. Then they will lose the paperwork, or the accountant that you pay to check will do it wrong, or the translator you paid for will make typos. It is relentless. Don't bother bringing your UK car, the trauma of trying to get it registered...well...nobody I know kept theirs in the end.

But apart from that, the main issue is the language, and being able to live properly without knowing the language fully is bloody nightmarish. So when you have a problem you are screwed. So don't aim for an A2, it needs to be B1 at a minimum.

It gets so hot in the summer you can write off up to 4 months of doing anything other than sleep, eat, doze, eat, watch some tv and then back to bed. Even going out is a hassle as if you sit indoors it is stuffy and hot from the kitchens and outside, wasps and smoke and sometimes not enough shade. I do pottery and what usually takes 2-3 days to dry out can be ready in an hour so I need to slow things down most of the time.

But, when the spring comes and the cold goes it is bloody marvellous. This week for example it has been very springlike. You can grow better fruit and veg. The markets are wonderful. The food is superb. The forced pace is slower and there is a distinct lack of urgency. It is very calming. If you live in the vicinity of a church that still rings the bells, which I do, it really controls the pace of the village.

Not fluent, but willing to improve.

Thank you for your detailed response.

Can I ask roughly which part of France you live in? Do you have kids/did you bring kids with you?

You will have to improve, yes. France is very French.

How about jobs?

Somewhere in the middle. No kids.

There is no home schooling allowed at all. And very little SEN provision or allowances.

I'm self employed, my business is online with customers from all over.

My husband has a remote job, his company is happy for him to work from wherever but they will adjust his salary accordingly.

Home schooling is allowed but much more heavily controlled than uk. Students need to sit tests etc. to show they are keeping up with maths, French etc.

The company would have to register and pay the French taxes for him. It is not an easy process even if self employed to get the necessary approval and the huge hike in taxes might make your business not so profitable.

Lots of things are 'allowed' but the reality of getting permission [in advance] will be difficult and hard to manage if you aren't fluent. Also there are 4 requirements that have to be met to be able to be considered.

Also a foreign family trying to home school would be seen as not being integrating or learning the language which would not be looked on favourably by many people who you depend on to help you progress through the system.

Not that the OP even hinted about home schooling. I only mentioned it as an aside.

We did it last year. We moved for my job, which thankfully is awesome because the upheaval has been considerable and the admin is bananas.

I work for an international company and was eligible for an EU passport talent. Even with the support of an immigration lawyer, getting my residency permit has been a challenge. I did A level French an million years ago which is gradually coming back with the aid of apps and a teacher (i practice for at least an hour a day). I can get by in person but really stuggle on the phone. Luckily a lot of day to day stuff is in person.

DC is 8 and in bilingual school as we want to keep up learning English as well as French. Seems happy enough. The class size is tiny which is good and bad, not such a large pool to find friends.

DH registered a micro-entreprise which allows him to earn up to around €80k i think with simplified tax and social security contributions. You cannot work remotely in France for a company that is not based in France. If you are freelance you cannot work for just one company, just like IR35 in the UK. DH found it impossible to get PI to cover work in the UK which is an issue in this line of work.

Registering the car was less hassle than expected. The dog got French citizenship within 3 weeks. Finding a rental house was OK via Se Loger, but only via a private landlord who didnt require a complete file. Landlord's insurance can exclude newcomers without the prerequisite references, income statements etc. We still had to prove we earned 3 times the rental cost from steady income (no bonuses or rental income from our UK house).

Would i recommend moving from the UK to France? Hmmmm, maybe. You have to be incredible resilient, love paperwork, be prepared to wait for many things, have a decent financial cushion and be happy with your own company until you settle. It was always our dream to live here so when we had the opportunity we took it. But we have lived and worked all over the world so we're pretty flexible and have been through the process several times knowing it generally works out OK after a year, and if not we can move.

We've been here for more than eight years. DS was 9 when we arrived. We paid for private French tuition for him for over two years and it was worth every penny. Even so, school hasn't been plain sailing. We live in the rural southwest and DS has been "othered" in some schools (he's been to 4) for not being French, although things have improved now that he is in his last year.

Despite living in a very French village (rather than an English enclave), we don't have any French friends. Even though I'm fluent in the language, DH doesn't speak good enough French to chat (he can do the essentials), so it's up to me to maintain relations with the neighbours, but it's fairly superficial. We do feel quite isolated at times as a result (we both work from home). On the flip side, we do have lots of friends of other nationalities, which was something we didn't have in the UK.

The health system has proved fantastic - light years ahead of the care we received in the UK. The roads are largely brilliant, but the standard of driving is shocking. Mobile phone reception and superfast broadband are awesome even in rural France - waaaay better than rural UK. French pop music is not to our taste so we generally to go back to the UK to get our live music fix. The TGV high speed trains are ace. Shop assistants are friendly. Supermarkets are incredible but you're expected to know how to cook - they're full of ingredients rather than ready meals (although Picard, the frozen food shop, is your friend there).

I second the pp who mentioned the heat. Depending on where you live, it is relentless in high season - you'll need a pool. The insects and snakes and rodents (again, rural SW) are annoying but you learn to live with them. Dogs, on the other hand, are a problem. Lots are left in their garden to fence run and bark at nothing and everything. If you enjoy walking and you live in an area with an active hunting association, woodland areas are no-go areas for months on end.

If you go on days out with the children, either be at your destination by 12 so you can get into a restaurant, or take a picnic. Shops (except supermarkets) and services are usually closed at lunchtime except in major centres. Sunday trading is not the thing it is in the UK, but you get used to that very quickly - instead, shops are open till 7pm on weekdays, which I love.

I could go on and on! We love it here; the space, the slower pace of life, the markets, the brocantes, the chance to live outdoors for so much of the year, and the fact that things actually get done - well, except on strike days ;)

We did.
We knew the paperwork would be a pain, so we used a notaire who called in an English speaking counterpart for our house purchase. We employed an accountant for business dealings. We spent hours face to face sorting out insurances, cars, phones etc.

We introduced ourselves to the mayor on arrival. It was easy enough to find a good doctor. The neighbours knew all about us after a week or so, I'm not sure how. They introduced us to other neighbours. You have to be careful not to end up drinking with them daily.
Speaking fluent French is a must to fully integrate. The children pick it up quickly, but it isn't easy for adults. Not just speaking, but reading the language for admin too.
Factor in the cost of trips back to UK. If you have elderly parents this could be at short notice to help in a crisis.

It might be the heat that some people struggle with, but for us it's the constant rain though I guess it keeps the countryside nice and green.
I'm not sure we'll stay longterm, but it is an enjoyable life experience.

Oh yeah the wildlife. Feral cats everywhere, badgers in the garden and lizards in the bedroom. All part of the package. We've looked after, fed, treated, bathed where essential, neutered, and befriended and rehomed where possible 17 feral stray or dumped cats just from our garden in the 4 years we've been here. Unfortunately we've buried a fair amount as they got sick, or run over as well.

I'd say your little one would find it easier

By aged ten they start to realise how bloody difficult learning another language is

Made the move 4 years ago, due to DH job moving post-Brexit. DS was in Y5 when we moved. I'd pick your area carefully, choose school first and then base yourself close by.

Agree your first year will be admin. Carte Vitale driving licence etc.

If you don't speak French, you'll need to choose an international area. It's not easy making French friends. You'll need a tribe. Or look for an area with an AVF; a sort of welcome committee for newcomers.

Don't assume your children will easily pick it up, either. Younger ones, yes, but it's harder for older ones. We sent DS to an international school to finish his primary school education; he's now in a bilingual collège. Even after 4 years, he's not fluent by any means. The French school day is longer than the UK, with a ton more homework.

We're in the western outreaches of Paris; a very international area but less than 20 mins into Paris. Love it here.

Oh, and don't bring the car. We sold ours and bought here. Agree that getting your dossier approved for rental is hard work. We had to submit a lot of paperwork.

Weather not an issue here in Paris, tbh, aside from the hottest months. I love that we have eating on the terrasse available all year round, even in winter.

If you have 3 kids or more, you qualify for the famille nombreuses discount card for travel museums etc.

As well as the paperwork in your first year, if on most visas that allow work, you will have to do hundreds of hours of courses, which some of my friends have taken up so much time they were unable to actually do any 'work' to earn anything...which can affect the first year's renewal. So look at what courses you will have to attend well before making any attempts to move.

They're EU, so don't need visas.

We moved 22 here years ago.6 years to Paris then 6 years in Italy and back here. We now have an apartment in Paris where our 20 year old lives as he is studying at Grande Ecole and a house in the Loire where we live most of the time.

You absolutely have to learn the language. It's a myth you can get by without it. It isn't something you can do before you get here but you must do it when you arrive. Most French people don't speak English. There will be times when you absolutely need it. Your children aren't just going to 'pick it up'. Another myth. They will need extra language lessons. Do not have them in a bilingual school for more than a year.

French bureaucracy can be a pain in the arse but it's not that bad. . I love living here. I've never regretted for a moment making the move. The benefits far outweigh the very few (for us) disadvantages
I can't even say there are disadvantages really.

All this about cars (I agree a potential problem), weather, carte vitale are all very short term problems. You have to look at the long term. Particularly education for the children post 18 if you are planning to stay that long. What health care you may need as you get older and how will you finance that.. It was never something we considered 22 years ago but it's so important now.

In short life here is great..But you absolutely must learn French, your children will need a lot of help though learn French and should ultimately go to a French school, absolutely not bilingual after the first one or two years. Plan for where your children will study after 18. Plan for all of you the next 10-20 years not just the initial arrival.

Thanks to all who replied. Lots to think about, and will definitely learn as much French as possible before we go and chuck ourselves at it once we get there.

We have a friend of the family in Aude already, who I know would help us meet people and integrate a little.

A friend isn't going to help you integrate (if they are English speaking) although it is good to have a friend there to be some help. I'm not trying to be negative but having been here so long I can see the pitfalls. The main one is not speaking French. When you arrive don't make the mistake of setting up English TV, seeking out other English speakers. The second one is putting your children in international schools. They are, by and large , dreadful. They cater for French kids whose parents want them to learn English. And they don't do that well. If you can find one with an immersion class for the first year do that but after that French schools. Supplement them with private tuition in French. They won't learn English in an bilingual school. That becomes your job to do at home. They won't learn much French there either.

You have had lots of helpful replies but I don't think most people responding have lived in France for a long time. You absolutely have to look long term if this is going to be a permanent home for you and your children. You have to look very carefully at where you are going to live, particularly with regard to schools. There is an absolute hierarchy here with schools, it's no different to the UK.

I'm not trying to put you off. Far from it. Moving here was the best thing we ever did but you do have to plan long term. PM me if I can be of any more help xx

I appreciate your reply.

Education is the biggest concern and potential factor that will end up ruling out the move, so I do appreciate your advice on it.

Our friend is French, but I agree one friend isn't enough. I'm hoping to get the kids integrated through sports clubs and activities and things too, but I am worried it'll all be too much for them.

There are some great bilingual schooling options in France but they can be extremely competitive/selective. Extra curricular activities are often run by the council and again are not necessarily easy to access. Scouts and guides, which are mostly religious, are a good way of infiltrating middle class milieux.

Just to say clearly before I say anything else. DS is now 21, he was born in France (Paris), we left when he was 4 1/2 to live in Rome. He had one year in a bilingual nursery in Paris. In Rome he had two years of bilingual school in the morning, with Italian school on the afternoon, supported by private tutoring in Italian. Then 4 years in a bilingual school with our final year there in an Italian school. We came back to France (Paris) when he was 10, he spent two years in a semi bilingual school in Paris then we moved to the south of France where he was in French school until he was 18. I wrote everything below but then realised a bit of clarification at the beginning might be helpful.. I have met an enormous amount of parents who have emigrated and were putting their children through a foreign/bilingual education system.

Education is the most difficult one but certainly not insurmountable. It depends where you will be living to a certain extent and the school choices available. I know a lot of English speaking children who have had terrible struggles with the language (in France and Italy) because the grammar is so difficult in the beginning. Some of them to the extent that families have left after a year of distress for the children. It doesn't have to be like that but it needs careful thought and planning. Many people make the mistake that the kids just 'pick it up' , they don't, especially at the ages of your children. If they have had a monolingual life before it can be very difficult for them.

If you are in an area that has bilingual schools choose one if available that has an immersion class designed to integrate children into the French language and school system for the first year. Supplement this with private tutoring. After the first year either switch to a French school or carry on at the same school if it is mainly French after immersion year. Then consider a French school. DS arrived back in France at 10 years old, did one year immersion class, then a second year in the same school where he was mainly taught in French but had supplementary lessons in French for foreign language students. He then changed to a French school until he finished at 18. If no such classes are available you absolutely have to get them private tutors.

Most French schools are very welcoming to foreign students and will help as much as they can but it will obviously be difficult for your DC..Look at private schools as well. The bilingual ones are more expensive, but it may be worth it for a couple of years. French speaking private schools are mainly catholic (but with no religious lessons), very and are around 2-3k per year depending on the age of the child.

You and your DH won't be able to help your children much but all of the foreign families I have known if their parents make a real effort to learn French the children tend to do better with the language. DS's teachers in France and Italy have all said this as well.

DS didn't have extra tutoring on returning to France but that was because he already spoke some French and he spoke Italian fluently. In Italy he had had about 10 hours of school every week devoted to grammar for 6 years and it was close enough to French he didn't struggle with the grammar.

If this is a long term move you really have to think about long term education. Your 10 year old will have to take the Brevet at 14 if he/she is in the French system. That's a lot of learning to catch up on in 4 years. It's not impossible but it is difficult. The Brevet is similar to O levels (if they are still called that 😊), the results will then determine where they will go to Lycee. Either general or technical . That in turn determines future careers. You know your DC and what outcome is likely for them at that age.

Post 18 education is a whole other nightmare. If your DC have EU passports it will be much easier for them. They will not be eligible for subsided education in the UK despite being British citizens. You will have to pay for them as overseas students. So they stay in France but then you enter into the world of prepa and Grande Ecole if they are academic and their French is good enough. The alternative may be an English speaking university in Europe but they are costly. If your children are really integrated by then they will probably want to stay in the French system because in the the last year of Lycee all the talk is about where they are going, their choices for post 18 education (which is really complicated, not just what university to pick).

Sorry for such a long post. But it is so important. It's a minefield we have had to pick through for 20 years with DS. DH and I spoke, sometimes on the verge of arguing about education for years. He favoured long term bilingual school. I didn't as I knew that the level of both languages was very poor. With your children they could spend their education in France in an English speaking school or a bilingual school. But what's the point of that? Both languages will be poorer for it. You are in France and giving them the opportunity to become bilingual is a great gift.

My DS is now studying for his Masters in engineering at one of the most prestigious Grande Ecole in France. I have a Polish friend who I met on a basic French language course during our first month in France 22 years ago. Her daughter is 4 weeks younger than DS. She is also now studying engineering at an equally prestigious school. The pair of them turned down places at the Sorbonne to be in their schools. They are both bilingual and have a great future to look forward to. I'm not saying that to try and brag, I'm saying it so that you can hopefully see despite the difficulties it can be a wonderful thing for your DC.