France: country guide

Advice on French travel, earning, tax, healthcare and more…

Visting France

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• Ensure your passport is valid. While France is part of the European Economic area, UK residents still need a passport to travel there.
• Apply to get free emergency medical treatment with a European Health Insurance Card (EEA nationals).
• You don't need any vaccinations but be aware that isolated cases of rabies occur in France.

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Airports: Paris has two main airports:

• Paris-Charles De Gaulle: 15 miles north east of central Paris.
• Paris-Orly: 12 miles south of central Paris.

All major French cities have an international airport.

Trains: the French rail system is excellent for intercity travel. Travel times are shortest on the TGV network.

Driving: the minimum age for driving in France is 18. You can drive in France using your usual driving licence if it's in a language using the Roman alphabet — e.g. English. Otherwise, you'll need an international driving licence.

When driving, you must take:

• your driving licence
• your vehicle registration documents
• your insurance certificate
• one warning triangle
• one reflective jacket

The French drive on the right hand side of the road. If you're driving a right hand drive car, you'll need headlamp converters to avoid dazzling other drivers. These are available at any motor shop.

Speed limits are given in km.

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You can use most debit or credit cards in French banks, shops and restaurants and at most ATMs.

When you use your card, you will usually have to pay a fee to convert your money into Euro. If you travel regularly in Europe, a Lloyds TSB International Euro Account could save you money.

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Working in France

Like the UK, France is part of the European Economic Area (EEA). If you're an EEA or Swiss national you don't need a work permit to work in France.

If you're not an EEA/Swiss national you'll need to get a work permit to work in France:

• you must have an employer willing to hire you
• they must show there is a need for your skills in France, and that the job cannot be filled by an EEA/Swiss national

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To get access to your French salary you will need a French bank account or international Euro bank account.

Opening a bank account in France requires significant documentation and can be complicated by the language barrier. To avoid the hassle, open a Lloyds TSB International Account before you go.

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If you're working and earning in France, and deemed to be a French resident, you'll need to pay French taxes on all of your income.

Make sure you set some money aside for taxes each month — there's no pay as you earn (PAYE) system in France.

If you're earning a salary, your employers will probably send tax information to the authorities for you, but make sure you check — there's a 10% penalty if you miss the tax return deadline.

Once you've supplied the information, the tax authorities will calculate your tax for you and send you a bill.

French tax rates are broadly similar to those in the UK.

To ensure you're paying the right tax in the right country, it's important to talk through your circumstances with an expert. As a Lloyds TSB International Account customer, you can get tax advice through our partners. For more information, call 0800 876 6555.

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Living in France

The French national healthcare system covers the cost of most medical treatments.

Generally under the French system you pay for medical treatment and then apply to be reimbursed. Reimbursement takes a few days.

If you're a UK national planning a permanent move to France, check you're entitled to access state healthcare in France by contacting the UK Department for Work and Pensions.

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State schools in France take a traditional approach focused on core skills. State schools are free but usually teach entirely in French.

You'll be allocated a state school according to where you live, so investigate the local schools before you pick your area.

If you would like your children to be taught in English, you can choose from a range of private bilingual and international schools in most major cities. Some offer boarding options.

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It's very important to know your tax position before you move to France.

You will have to pay French taxes on your savings and pension, and these may be higher than the equivalent charges in the UK.

As a Lloyds TSB International Account customer, you can get individual tax advice through our partners. For more information, call 0800 876 6555.

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This information is based on our understanding of current law and tax authority practice and may be liable to change, which could be with retrospective effect. This information is for general information purposes only. No liability can be accepted for the effect of any subsequent legislation of change of official practice. If you require tax advice you should consult your own professional advisers, and not rely on the information contained within this booklet. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the Bank cannot take responsibility for omissions or errors. Tax levels or relief are those currently applicable and may change. The value of any tax relief depends on the individual circumstances of the investor/customer.