Removals To France
Do you need removals to or from France? Then we can help!
Use our FREE quote service and get the cheapest quote for your move!
With many more removals companies now offering removals to France, how can you decide which company to choose? This is where we make it easy for you!
We have hand-selected a group of the highest quality removals companies (we have strict criteria for companies joining our network) offering a French removals service. Our registered companies offer removals to anywhere in France of any size, so whether you are moving to a small apartment in Paris or a chateau in the South of France we can help.
Removals Brokers will help you find the best deal possible - simply enter your details in our Quick Quote, and we will find you the best and cheapest quality removals company for your move to France, saving you valuable time and money, as well as ensuring your move runs smoothly and efficiently.
The services our registered companies offer are entirely flexible and can be completely tailored to meet your specific needs and guarantee your satisfaction.
Services provided include:
Areas covered include:
Montpellier |
Rouen |
Nancy |
Limoges |
Nice |
Toulouse |
Pays De La Loire |
Grenoble |
Basse Normandie |
Marseilles |
Valance |
Ardennes |
Languedoc-Roussillon |
Dordogne |
Dijon |
Calvados |
Ille De France |
Midi-Pyrenees |
Lyon |
Brest |
Charente |
Toulon |
Lorraine |
Lille |
Nantes |
Rhone |
Picardie |
Bretagne |
Ariege |
Auverge |
Bordeaux |
The Alps |
Perpignan |
Brittany |
Paris |
Our partner companies cover all regions of France and often specialise in removals to a specific region and/or service. This means that you can be confident that which ever removals company we recommend for your move is the most likely to meet your requirements and expectations.
Let us find the cheapest removals company for you today!
Click for a quote.
Before obtaining a quote for your removals to France, work out exactly what you need to take - often moving is a good time for a clearout, so is it necessary to take everything with you? Then contact us with a rough idea of the size of the load, when your possessions will be ready for collection, where you will be moving to, whether there are any access restrictions at either end (ie in the UK or in France), whether you have any specific requirements (eg we have specialists in removals of fine art and antiques) and whether you need help with packing or require storage of any of your goods.
Your Move to France
We've included below some useful information and websites to help you in planning your move and new life in France.
There are lots of differences between the UK and France, which of course, is one of the principal attractions for people to move to France. From driving on the right, to a new language to new social customs, it's worth doing your research before you go and being prepared.
If you're buying a holiday home in France, check your home insurance details for your house in the UK. Many policies are only valid if your home is not unoccupied for 90 days - if you're thinking about spending the winter in your house in France, contact your UK insurance company.
Driving in France
You must be 18 or over to drive in France. Of course, you need to drive on the right, seat belts are compulsory, children of 10 and can only travel in the rear and it is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car papers and insurance documents.
Drivers may be unaware that, by law, they must carry a red warining triangle and high-visibility jacket. In the veent of a breakdown, the driver must put on the jacket before leaving the ar and place the warning triangle 30 metres from the broken down vehicle. Failure to carry these items can lead to a fine.
Also beware of the new biofuel being sold in France, that contains up to 10% ethanol. For cars registered before 2000, it can cause major damage in causing corrosion of metal fuel tanks. Most new cars have plastic tanks and so should not be affected.
For full details of driving in France, including speed limits, right of way/priorities, autoroutes and fuel, see the angloinfo site.
The French Language
Learning and understanding the French language can be a major hurdle to sime people looking to move to and live in France. The French are justifiably proud of their language and appreciate visitors from overseas at least trying to converse in French. If you make no effort, you're likely to find that the French will not help you, particulalry in rural areas. By trying to learn French before you arrive, you'll find your move to France and integrating into local society so much easier - after all, part of the reason that many people move to France is that the French way of live - by speaking and understanding the language, you'll get so much more out of your life in France.
Moving with your Pets
The European Pet Passport and Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) now makes it easier to move to France or any other European country, with your pet.
The PETS scheme enables you to travel to France without the need for your pet to enter quarantine. The EU Pet Passport enables your pets to freely cross borders. To get a Pet Passport, your pet needs to have a micro chip or tattoo in the ear, a vacinne against rabies and a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system. Contact your local vet for more details.
Education in France
The education system in France is very different from that of the UK - for instance, many children in junior schools have Wednesday's off for a start! The education is compulsory from age 6 when childern attend an Ecoles Elementaire. Apply at the local Mairie for entry. See Angloinfo for many more details on schooling in France..
Registration of EU Citizens
If you're a UK resident, as a citizen of the EU, you have the right to live and work in France, without the need for a work or residency permit.
However, you will need to carry a valid passport or ID. After 3 months, you will be required to declare yourself as a resident. It is best to contact your local Mairie to find out what is required.
Starting a Business in France
Many people moving to France are retiring or moving to a job. However, many others dream of a better life in France running their own business, many related to the tourist industry.
When starting a business, you must either register a being an individual operator or as a company - the most common structures are as an Entreprise Individualle (EI) for sole traders or the self-employed, EURL for limited liability single shareholder corporations and SARL as joint stock companies.
The Centre de Formalities des Entrepresis (CFE) is the organisation you need to contact to register your company. A CFE office is available at each local business organisation monitoring body. What this body is depends on your business but the Chambre de Commerice et d'Industrie covers most categories, for shopkeepers and commerical companies with no 'artisanal' component. Visit the CFE website for more details. Again, Angloinfo has more details of the setup of each type of legal entity.
Telephone and Internet in France
France Telecom is the main supplier of communications in France, including TV, landlines, mobile phone and Internet access. France Telecom has an English speaking service open Monday to Friday. In France, call 0800 364 775.
To have a landline connected, contact the local France Telecom office or call 1014. ID and a recent utility bill will be needed for identification.
For broadband there are more providers to choose from. However, just as in the UK, you need to check that broadband is available in your local area. See Angloinfo for details of various French broadband suppliers.
Banking in France
Some French banks offer packages specifically for expats that include a current account, credit card and property insurance. It is worth noting though, that is normal to pay a monthly fee for banking in France and that many current accounts do not pay interest.
An expat resident in France for more than 3 months is eligible to open a French bank account (compte bancaire). Proof of ID, a utility bill and possiblity proof or earnings, will be needed to open an account. See Angloinfo for some useful French banking terminology.
Healthcare in France
From doctors to hospitals and dentists, the French system and the way it is financed is very different from that in the UK. For short term visitors from the UK, your treatment will be covered by the old E111 form, now known as the European Health Insurance Card. For EU citizens resident in France, rights to free healthcare for the first two years can be transferred from the UK via form E106. For UK pensioners, use E121.
If you are employed or self-employed in France, you will be covered up to around 80% of healthcare costs, with the ability to cover the remainder with private health insurance.
Useful French Living Websites
Angloinfo - listings of local businesses and organisations in France and essential practical information.
UK Foreign Office in France - has some useful FAQs and helpful information about retiring in France.
HSBC's guide to banking and taxes in France
Living France - a good resource for legal information, finance, property, language, healthcare, education and many helpful articles and forums for everything you need to know about moving to France.
France Facts
- France has a land area of 180,000 sq miles, alomst the same size as Texas
- There are 60 million inhabitants in France, 10 million in the capital Paris alone
- The highest point in France is the highest point in Europe - Mt Blanc (4807m)
- The total area skiable in France is 200 sq km. The area has 4200 ski lifts, which serve 8000 sq mi of downhill piste
- There are 15 million hectares of forest in France
- France is home to 365 types of cheese - one for every day of the year!
- France had 76 million overseas visitors in 2003, making it the most popular holiday destination in the world
- 63% of French people consider themselves Catholic, while 30% count themselves as non religious
- 12 million visitors come to the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay and Versaille alone
- 16 million cats and dogs live in France, occupied by 50% of households
Moving To France Tips
The attraction of cheaper housing and a quieter more relaxed way life draws many
people to France without fully considering the consequences and it has been
estimated that as many as two thirds of Britons who move to France return to the
UK during the first 2 years, if you want to avoid being one of them then plenty of
research and preparation is needed before embarking on your new life in France
Which French region should I live in? No one can really answer this for you,
research different areas thoroughly and then visit them to find out which is the
best area for you. If you have family or elderly relatives in the UK it is also
worth considering the proximity of airports and ferry links back to the UK.
Take into account different factors such as the climate which varies enormously
between the north and south of France, employment prospects, cost of living,
proximity of local amenities - schools if you have children, shops, public
transport etc. Weigh up the pros and cons of living in a rural or isolated
location in France to living in a village or town. A rural position can rapidly
loose its charm in the depth of winter when your car breaks down.
Unless you are lucky enough to have a source of income what will you do for
money when you live in France? Unemployment is higher in France than in the UK
and also if you're unable speak French how will you compete with others also
looking for work - work out realistically how you will earn an income. If you
plan to set up your own business, research your market, business and taxation
costs thoroughly before moving and remember that business & self employment
costs are a lot higher in France and must be paid regardless of whether your
making a profit or not.
Learn the language - try and get a least a basic knowledge of French before
relocating. Once you have moved to France try and use the language daily, this
can be hard for couples living in rural areas who may not see anyone else for
days at a time. Try to get involved in your local community this will help not
only with French language and culture but will also help you to integrate and
build up a network of friends, your Maire's office will normally have a list of
events.
Culture - many things are done a lot differently in France, if you understand
French culture it will be a lot easier for you to integrate. Take some time to
learn about the history and culture of France and its people. Also make use of
forums and groups and talk to other people already living here, these forums
can be a valuable source of advice and can raise points that you might not have
even considered.
Choosing a property - remember that although property can be much cheaper in
France particularly for houses in need of restoration the cost of renovation can
actually be far higher than in the UK particularly if you need to employ a
builder or artisan, this is mainly due to the higher costs involved in running a
business or being self employed in France. Make certain you can budget for this
and be sure that you allow for unexpected costs; is there mains drainage, does a
new septic tank (fosse septique) need to be installed or indeed is there a
septic tank? Many people have been caught out by purchasing a property without
mains drainage and not enough land in which to install a septic tank.
When you've decided on a property or location try visiting the area at different
times of the day - what seems like a quiet road at lunchtime may not be the case
in the morning or evening. Another point not often considered when buying a
rural property with land is the hunting issue. Hunting is a national pastime in
France and runs from September through to May, it can be very noisy, the sound
of gunshots can upset nervous pets and hunters have the right to shoot on your
land unless you take steps to stop them (which might not go down very well and
may even alienate you with the locals) by going to your local Maire and putting
up special notices. Many English people are very unprepared for this and are
often quite shocked.
For information about living in or moving to France including property sales, holiday accommodation
and forums please visit
Living in France Guides ( http://www.lost-in-france.com/ )
Article sourced from http://goarticles.com
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