Retiring to France from the UK

Your Step-by-Step Checklist (Practical, Real-World & Comprehensive)

This checklist is designed to take you from early planning → visa → move → first year in France → ongoing life, in a clear, structured way you can follow, print, and tick off.

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PHASE 1 — EARLY PLANNING (6–18 MONTHS BEFORE MOVE)

Lifestyle & Location Decisions

☐ Decide full-time move or part-year living ☐ Identify preferred regions (climate, access, lifestyle, property budget) ☐ Visit shortlisted areas (ideally different seasons) ☐ Test daily life (shopping, driving, healthcare access, pace of life)

Financial Position & Budgeting

☐ Calculate total retirement income (State Pension, private pensions, investments) ☐ Convert income into euro equivalent (stress-test exchange rates) ☐ Build a monthly France budget (utilities, tax, healthcare, food, insurance) ☐ Set aside contingency fund (recommended 6–12 months living costs) ☐ Review currency strategy (regular transfers vs FX provider vs forward contracts)

Pension & Investment Review

☐ Confirm UK State Pension forecast ☐ Review all private pensions (DB, DC, SIPP) ☐ Understand drawdown vs annuity options ☐ Consider currency exposure (GBP vs EUR income) ☐ Review ISAs (tax-free in UK, not tax-free in France) ☐ Review investment portfolios (dividends, capital gains implications) ☐ Seek advice on:

• Cross-border tax

• Pension structure

• Withdrawal strategy
  

Tax Planning (Pre-Move)

☐ Understand French tax residency rules (183 days / centre of life) ☐ Review UK-France double taxation treaty ☐ Plan timing of:

• Pension withdrawals

• Asset sales

☐ Identify all accounts and assets that will need reporting in France

☐ Consider speaking to a cross-border tax adviser

PHASE 2 — VISA & LEGAL ENTRY (3–6 MONTHS BEFORE MOVE)

Visa Application (Most Common: Visitor Visa)

☐ Apply for VLS-TS Visiteur (Long-Stay Visitor Visa) ☐ Prepare documents:

• Passport (valid)

• Proof of income (pensions, savings)

• Proof of accommodation (rental, ownership, or attestation)

• Private health insurance (initial requirement)

• Written declaration not to work in France

☐ Book visa appointment (TLScontact/VFS depending on region) ☐ Attend appointment & submit biometrics ☐ Receive visa approval

Accommodation Planning

☐ Decide:

• Rent initially OR

• Purchase property before/after move

☐ Secure:

• Rental contract OR

• Property purchase progression

Healthcare (Pre-Move)

☐ Arrange private health insurance (mandatory for visa) ☐ Understand future eligibility for:

• S1 (if receiving UK State Pension)

☐ Prepare documents for CPAM registration later

PHASE 3 — THE MOVE (0–3 MONTHS)

Arrival in France

☐ Enter France on your visa ☐ Validate your visa online within 3 months ☐ Keep proof of validation

Settling In

☐ Open French bank account ☐ Set up utilities:

• Electricity (EDF / Engie)

• Water

• Internet

☐ Arrange:

• Home insurance (mandatory in France)

• Vehicle insurance (if applicable)

Admin Setup

☐ Register with local mairie (town hall) ☐ Apply for:

• Waste collection services

• Local services access

PHASE 4 — HEALTHCARE SETUP (FIRST 3–6 MONTHS)

S1 Route (If Eligible)

☐ Apply for S1 certificate from UK ☐ Submit S1 to local CPAM office ☐ Receive:

• Temporary social security number

• Attestation de droits

☐ Apply for Carte Vitale

Additional Cover

☐ Take out a mutuelle (top-up insurance) ☐ Register with:

• Local GP (médecin traitant)

• Dentist, pharmacy

❗ If NOT Yet Eligible for S1

☐ Maintain private health insurance ☐ Explore entry into French system after residency period

PHASE 5 — FINANCIAL & TAX SETUP (FIRST YEAR)

Becoming Tax Resident

☐ Confirm tax residency status (likely after moving full-time) ☐ Register with French tax office

First French Tax Return

☐ Complete first return (often paper-based initially) ☐ Declare:

• UK pensions

• Investment income

• Bank interest

• Rental income (if applicable)

☐ Complete required forms:

• 2042 (main return)

• 2047 (foreign income)

Foreign Account Reporting (CRITICAL)

☐ Declare ALL non-French accounts:

• UK bank accounts

• Investment platforms

• ISAs

• Offshore accounts

☐ Use Form 3916 / 3916 bis

Tax Payments

☐ Set up monthly or quarterly tax payments ☐ Understand:

• Income tax

• Social charges (where applicable)

PHASE 6 — PROPERTY & LIVING COSTS

Property Ownership

☐ If buying:

• Sign Compromis de Vente

• Complete Acte de Vente

☐ Set up:

• Taxe Foncière

• Taxe d’Habitation (if applicable)

Running Costs

☐ Budget for:

• Utilities

• Maintenance

• Insurance

• Property taxes

PHASE 7 — ONGOING LIFE IN FRANCE (YEAR 1+)

Annual Admin Cycle

☐ File annual French tax return ☐ Renew mutuelle & insurance ☐ Review pension withdrawals ☐ Review currency exchange strategy

Financial Reviews

☐ Monitor:

• GBP/EUR exchange rates

• Investment performance

☐ Adjust income strategy if needed

Healthcare

☐ Maintain Carte Vitale

☐ Update CPAM if circumstances change

Residency Progression

☐ Renew residency after first year

☐ Move toward:

• Multi-year residency

• Permanent residency (after 5 years)

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COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID

☐ Assuming you can work on a visitor visa

☐ Not planning for exchange rate fluctuations

☐ Ignoring French tax reporting requirements

☐ Forgetting to declare foreign bank accounts

☐ Underestimating healthcare transition timing

☐ Making pension transfer decisions too quickly

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Download you retiring checklist:

Retiring to France from the UK.pdf

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