All French Matters

26/05/2026

Another very common mistake we see when people move to France 🇫🇷

Many people assume they can travel to France first and then organise their visa once they arrive, but for most long-stay visas, the application process must be completed from your country of residence.

This is why it’s so important to understand the visa process before making the move, as trying to fix things afterwards can become stressful, expensive and sometimes impossible.

Follow along for more common mistakes we see people make when moving to France, and if you would like a free checklist of the visa application process, comment CHECKLIST, and I’ll send one over.

À bientôt!

21/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions we see when people move to France 🇫🇷

Many people assume that because they own a property here, sometimes for many years, Brexit somehow doesn’t apply to them.

But unfortunately, owning a home in France does not automatically give residency rights, and if you plan to stay longer than the 90 days allowed, you’ll usually need to apply for the appropriate visa.

It’s completely understandable why people feel confused. For years, British people, in particular, had the freedom to come and go between both countries with very little restriction, but things have changed significantly since Brexit.

Follow along for more common mistakes we see people make when moving to France 🇫🇷

And if you’d like a free checklist of the visa application process, comment the word CHECKLIST & I’ll send one over.

À bientôt !

18/05/2026

Thinking about moving to France after Brexit? 🇫🇷

Download our free France Visitor Visa Checklist to help you understand the key steps involved in the process.

⬇️

https://payhip.com/b/4CUaL

Use Coupon Code: CHECKLIST100

Feeling overwhelmed by the process of moving to France after Brexit?This simple visitor visa checklist is designed to help you understand the key steps involved in applying for the VLS-TS Visitor Visa, including the main steps you will need before an...

16/05/2026

Want to move to France after Brexit? 🇫🇷

One of the most common visas people apply for is the VLS-TS Visitor Visa. This is usually for retirees, people with passive income, or those wanting to enjoy life in France without actively working here.

Having gone through this process myself, and now helping others do the same — these are the 3 main things France looks for when assessing your application:

1️⃣ Financial resources
You’ll need to show you can support yourself during your stay, usually around €16,000 per year per person. This can come from pensions, savings, salary or investments.

2️⃣ A French address
You’ll need somewhere to live in France, whether that’s a rented property, staying with family, or sometimes even a long-term Airbnb.

3️⃣ Health cover
This is one of the biggest mistakes we see people make. France wants proper private health insurance — not just standard travel insurance, and we’ve seen applications refused because the cover wasn’t sufficient. If you’re retired, you may instead qualify for an NHS S1 form.

There are also some very common mistakes people make during the visa process, which I’ll cover in my next video — so follow along for more 🇫🇷

And if you’d like a free checklist covering the visa process step-by-step, comment CHECKLIST

06/05/2026

Over the last few years, we've received so many enquiries from people feeling overwhelmed by the process of moving to France after Brexit... so creating a simple guide felt like the natural next step.

I wanted to create something honest, simple, and practical - the kind of guide I wish I'd had at the beginning.

It includes:
* step-by-step guidance
* lived experience
* common mistakes to avoid
* and practical advice to help make the process feel a little less daunting.

If you're considering a move to France or are already navigating the process, I hope it helps.

Trica
All French Matters

Feeling overwhelmed by the process of moving to France after Brexit?This guide breaks it down simply - from someone who has actually done it. Clear steps, real experience, common pitfalls, and practical advice to help you navigate the process with co...

26/03/2026

Bonjour!

It’s nearly that time of year again when all French residents must complete their annual online income tax declaration.

The Tax Administration has confirmed that declarations will open on 9 April 2026 for income earned in 2025.

Deadlines for submitting your return (online, and on paper in certain cases) vary depending on your location in France, but they typically fall between late May and early June.

If you find the process a little overwhelming, we’re here to help. Our friendly team can take care of your declaration for you—get in touch today to find out more.

Thanks,

Trica & Arnaud

📞 +33(0)673601855
📧 allfrenchmatters@gmail.com

21/03/2025

Bonjour!

It will soon be that time of year when all French residents need to make their annual income tax declaration online.

The Tax Administration Office has just confirmed that income tax declarations will open on April 10 for income earned in 2024.

The deadline for filing online (and on paper in some cases) varies depending on where in France you live, but usually the deadline is at the end of May, into early June.

If you find this annual income tax declaration quite daunting, we can help by declaring it for you. Contact our friendly team today to find out more.

29/01/2025

Renewal of French Residency Cards:

Many five-year Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (WA) cards are due for renewal in 2025 (for Britons who had been living in France for less than five years before Brexit), with holders eligible for ten-year cards, and there are hopes that the process may now be available online.

Due to a reported backlog of renewals received by the administration leading to long delays of issuance, some card holders who have already reached five years of residency would like to renew early even if their card is not yet due to expire. In 2022, the French Interior Ministry stated that holders of five-year WA cards can apply for a permanent residency card after five years of legal residency. However, it also advised that applications should be made two to three months before the card's expiry, with minimal paperwork required. It is thought that a centralised online system for renewals may be launched in due course.

Cards with five years of validity were issued to Britons who had been living in France before Brexit for less than five years. Those living in France for more than five years were issued with cards valid for 10 years, marked carte de séjour permanent (permanent residency). These cards require renewal only every decade, provided the holder is not absent from France for more than five years. They also provide proof of having acquired ‘permanent’ residency rights under the WA including the right to do all forms of work and to receive certain benefits on the same conditions as EU citizens. WA beneficiaries who do not yet have 'permanent' residency rights, officially, should not be absent for more than six months a year without a good reason, such as for work, study or training abroad. Official EU guidelines state it is possible to apply for the 10-year card once you meet the conditions of five years of legal residency.

The process of swapping five-year WA cards for 10-year cards:

The first WA cards were issued in 2020 to people who had applied via a website that was briefly opened for Britons in the event of a ‘no-deal’. Thus, five-year cards issued in 2020 will be expiring this year. Others applied after a website opened for WA card applications in October 2020. All applications had to be made by October 2021.

As of 2022, France reported issuing 105,600 permanent residency cards and 48,700 five-year cards. The Interior Ministry stated that people holding a WA residency card with a five-year duration have the right to obtain a permanent residency card based on this agreement, after five years of legal residency in France. The ministry also advised at the time that holders should apply to their prefecture two to three months before the card’s expiry.

The Interior Ministry have stated that they would like to keep paperwork as light as possible for Britons applying for permanent cards based on more than five years’ residency, however, this remains to be seen. Either way, we will keep you informed as we learn more, and we are here to help you with the renewal/swapping card process at any stage.

01/09/2024

Since Brexit, any British citizen that would like to spend longer in France than the obligatory three months (under the 90/180 day rule), will need a visa.

We specialise in visa applications, especially the most common type which is the VLS-TS Visitor Visa (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour), so please contact our friendly team of two for further information. We charge only a fraction of what other relocation companies are charging for this service.

Bonne journée !

Trica & Arnaud

29/04/2024

Just a reminder that we have until the of May to declare our income for 2023 to the French tax authorities. This applies to everyone living in France, even the ones who don’t earn enough to pay tax, we must still declare our income with them.

Please contact us today if you need help with this, or would like any further information.

Bonne journée

Trica & Arnaud

23/03/2024

Do you live in France and need to declare your income for the year?

In 2024, online reporting is mandatory if your home is connected to the internet. Otherwise, you can use a paper form.

The tax administration office will soon be open (mid-April) for declaring your income for 2023. The deadline of when this needs to be returned varies depending on which part of France you live in, but as a rule of thumb, the deadline is usually towards the end of May each year.

A lot of non-native speakers find this yearly task quite daunting, but fear not, we’re here to help! We can complete your tax return for you. Contact us today to find out more.

All French Matters