Retiring in France post-Brexit: 5 Things you need to know
8th Nov 2022 Managing your Money
Retiring in France after Brexit looks a little different. If you've always dreamed of spending your retirement on the French Riviera, here's what you need to know
Disclaimer: Definitive information is found with the French authorities and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Living abroad post-Brexit is now different for UK citizens. Retirees should know the new post-Brexit rules for retiring full-time in France. Grab a café au lait and read the five things you need to know to retire in France post-Brexit.
1. Residence is now required: WARP card
Simply put, the WARP is a permanent residence card for UK citizens. The card represents the freedoms and rights retained in the Withdrawal Agreement.
Those retired in France before January 1, 2021, were instructed to apply for a WARP card, which stands for Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit. Much of the working and living rights have remained the same. The biggest change is that now UK residents in France must carry the card along with their passport when they travel across borders. Family members will still be able to join and settle with you in France at any point in the future.
"Simply put, the WARP is a permanent residence card for UK citizens"
The application deadline has passed. However, if you have a legitimate reason for missing it you can still apply late by emailing contact-brexit@interieur.gouv.fr.
The takeaway:
Life after Brexit means that a resident card is required for stays longer than Tourist Visas. There is a plethora of different circumstances for those retiring in France. Definitive information is found with the French authorities and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
2. Permanent retirees now require French healthcare
By law, every French resident must have French healthcare. For UK citizens that permanently live in France, it is no longer enough to show proof of NHS healthcare.
You must register for healthcare in France
The French make registration easy by offering a “top-up” health insurance option called a “Mutuelle”. You will use the Mutuelle card to cover part of all medical costs not covered by the state. In addition to the Mutuelle, full healthcare coverage is essential.
"Once registered, your access will be the same as a French citizen. Voila!"
The most common French healthcare for retirees will go through the UK-issued S1 form. This form can be found with local CPAM offices. Retired UK citizens have the right to apply for a UK S1 if you have started drawing a UK State Pension.
Once registered, your access will be the same as a French citizen. Voila!
The takeaway:
To retire full-time in France, access to French healthcare is obligatory. After living permanently abroad, if you return to live full time in the UK, you will be able to resume use of the NHS like any other UK resident.
3. You may need a French driving permit
For UK retirees in France, the biggest change may be the increase in forms and applications. Here is the breakdown about driving permits:
- If your UK driving license was first issued before January 1, 2021, it is recognised in France, and you can drive as long as it is valid.
- If, however, your UK license has expired or has less than six months remaining you can, thankfully, just exchange it. You don’t need to take the French driving test to acquire the French permit in this case.
- In a third case, if your license was issued after the first of January 2021, then France will only recognise it for one year before you are required to exchange it. Again, no driving test needed.
The takeaway:
Unless you have a valid UK license issued before January 1, 2021, get ready to apply for a French driving permit.
4. Tourist limits when you travel to all EU Countries outside of France
As a resident of France, you will have unlimited stay within the country. This is all the time you need to visit each chateau in the Loire Valley. However, if you do decide to tour outside of France, a 90 to 180-day limit applies to your travels within the Shengen Visa zone.
Make sure to take your WARP card when you travel across borders
The takeaway:
Life after Brexit requires counting the days to avoid overstaying.
5. Pension and banking changes
First, take a deep breath and imagine the smell of warm croissants served in front of the Eiffel Tower. Now, open your eyes and read the good news about pensions.
Essentially, when retiring in France you can claim: UK state pension, new UK state pension, your French pension if you’ve worked in France and any other pensions from working in other EU countries.
"Take a deep breath and imagine the smell of warm croissants served in front of the Eiffel Tower"
For those that qualify for the UK service, “Life Certificate”, there is also a French alternative to the “Life Certificate” which you can apply for at the local Mairie (courthouse) called a French Life Certificate (certificat de vie).
The takeaway:
Keep in mind that UK benefits and entitlements and pensions while you live in France will vary depending on your unique circumstances, so check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Read more stories from France at birdintheworld.com by author, Hillary Sukhonos. Hillary is a former Bluebell and American ballet dancer now capturing stories from her life in Paris.
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