Moving To France From The UK

Moving to France

If you are planning to move to France, whether you are moving to Paris, Lyon, or to southern France, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to France If you are moving to France from the UK, as the UK has now left the EU, new rules apply to movement of goods between the UK and EU Countries. Please bear in mind that all shipments to the EU from the UK will now have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.
	France Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & Tobacco
	Transit Times to France Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to France All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving Pets to France Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Motor Vehicles to France Importation of motor vehicles to France will be subject to compliance, and it is probable that duty and tax will apply.
	Currency Transfer to France When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to France with Britannia

• Your Move to France – Britannia has a network of removers who will assist you with moving to France. We can also provide computer tracking and bar coding to ensure a safe and reliable removal service. Your goods can be transported to France by land, or by air.
• Packing & Delivery –  Our trained packers can pack and wrap all your items to ensure that they are transported safely. If you choose a full door to door service, Britannia will deliver the goods to your new home. We will then unpack your goods and furniture, and will remove all used packing materials from the site.
• Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to France. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in our removal services to France, request a quote, and read more about our European removals, and additional moving services, such as money transfer.

Living in France

Thousands of Britons move to France every year, and tens of thousands spend their holidays there. France is said to be the tourist hotspot of Europe, ranking even before Spain, and is an attractive country to relocate for the English. These figures are not at all surprising, if one thinks of the diverse and rich culture, varied landscape, the sunnier climate and even the sheer proximity of France to England.

France is situated in Western Europe, and is a major economic, cultural and military influence in Europe and the world. It is regarded as one of the most developed countries, with the fifth largest  economy in the world. The population enjoys a very high standard of living, one of the world’s highest life expectancies, an excellent health care system and high education levels. France can also boast an extremely rich culture – just think of the Louvre or the Loire Valley Castles -, and a variety of unique cities to move to.

Whether you are planning to move to one of the centres of continental Europe, Paris, the European capital of culture, fashion, and luxury, or move to a relaxed seaside resort with a sunny and warm climate, France is the perfect place to move. France’s diversity will surely satisfy you, whatever you are looking for, and you will definitely enjoy great food, and a varied and rich culture.

Finding a Job in France

Finding a job in France can be tricky for expats, but if you have a good level of understanding of French and the right experience and qualifications, you should be able to find the perfect role. Networking in France is key, as many people here prefer to do business with friends and acquaintances.

Some of the strongest industries in France include hospitality, construction, finance, and telecommunications. France is also facing a skill shortage in engineering, healthcare, IT, and science. If you have skills in these areas, you may find it a breeze to find a suitable role. It’s worth noting that in France, sometimes educational qualifications will be valued more than experience, so if you have the right education, this could work in our favour.

Education in France

The standard of education in France is generally high, whether you choose to go for private or public school. School is compulsory for children aged six to 16, but many parents in France start sending their children to maternelle (nursery) from the age of two or three.

Expats with a residence visa will be able to send their children to public school. Of course, the curriculum here will be taught in French, so it can be beneficial to start French lessons prior to moving, to help your children settle in.

The alternative is to send your child to an International School. These have high tuition fees but can be easier for children who don’t yet have a full grasp of the French language, as lessons will be taught in the language of your home country.

Healthcare in France

The healthcare system in France is of high quality and generally considered to be one of the best in the world. Expats in France who have been there for at least three months and have a proof of residence can register for public healthcare. You’ll have to register for the state-run public health insurance scheme – L’Assurance Maladie – which is the minimum level of health insurance required in France. If you’re working in France, this will be paid for by automatic salary deductions.

The state health insurance will cover the majority of costs, but not all. Many people choose to take out additional private health insurance to cover the remainder of the costs. Typically, patients will be asked to pay the bill for their treatment upfront, and then reclaim the costs through their insurance.

Cost of Living in France

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in France is 2% higher than in the UK, not including rent costs. Rent costs alone are 8.5% lower in France than in the UK. The average monthly salary in France is about 4% lower than in the UK, but with the large difference in accommodation costs, expats in France generally find they enjoy the same quality of life that they would be used to in the UK.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Ireland below. Prices are shown in Euros and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts about France

• Almost 20% of the territory of France lies outside Europe
• French was the official language of England between the 11th and 15th centuries.
• The Tour De France cycle race is approximately 2200 miles long.
• France has won the most Nobel Prizes in literature of any country.
• The ‘French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen’ from 1789 is the world’s first universal declaration applying to human rights.
• The Louvre, home to the famous Mona Lisa, is the most visited art museum in the world.
• At 343m Millau Viaduct in southern France is the world’s tallest bridge and France’s tallest structure.
• The distress code “Mayday” comes from the French for “help me!”, “M’Aide!”
• Louis XIX was King of France for just 20 minutes following the abdication of his father. He was then himself abdicated in favour of his nephew, the Duke of Bordeaux.
• Wearing a white wedding dress is a French tradition, which began in 1499.
• Lunchtime in France is usually two hours long, so food can be savoured, except for large cities, almost everything closes from noon until 2 pm when French restaurants are open for lunch.
• The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year.
• There are on average two new cookbooks produced every day in France.

French Public Holidays

There are a total of 13 public holidays in France each year, as shown below:

• 1st January – New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An).
• 9th April (2023) – Easter Sunday (Pâques).
• 10th April (2023) – Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques).
• 1st May – Labour Day (Fête du Travail)
• 8th May  – VE Day – WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945).
• 26th May (2023)- Ascension Day (Ascension catholique).
• 28th May (2023) – Whit Sunday (Pentecôte).
• 29th May (2023) – Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte).
• 14th July  – Bastille Day (Fête nationale).
• 15th August – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption).
• 1st November – All Saints’ Day (Toussaint).
• 11th November – Armistice Day (Armistice 1918).
• 25th December- Christmas Day (Noël).

Further Reading on Moving to France

• Top Reasons To Move To France
• City Of The Month – Paris
• Top Locations To Move To In France
• 7 Things To Know About Buying Property In France

Choose Britannia for your France Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to France and want to find out more about our France removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.