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Did you know that as a UK citizen you will need to register as a permanent resident in France before the 31st of December 2020? There is a lot of information UK nationals will need to digest before relocating to France during the Brexit transition period. InterNations GO! has all information you need on how to move your belongings, find a home, apply for a visa or work permit in France, and more.

Even with Brexit looming over your head, you will be able to live and work in France as a UK national. You will also be able to use your EHIC card to access healthcare; however, once you become a resident and plan to stay long-term, you should register with the public healthcare system. 

While France can be an expensive country to live in, UK expats coming from London might be pleasantly surprised to learn that Paris is actually cheaper in terms of cost of living. 

The only downside to this, salaries are also lower. According to the InterNations Expat Insider Survey, expats in France struggle with a lack of career prospects if you don’t speak the language, and low gross salaries in comparison to the high costs of living. Read on to find everything you need to know if you want to exit before Brexit, and call France your new home.

2. What You Should Do About Brexit

If you are relocating to France before the end of the transition period, it is important that you register as a French resident before the 31st of December 2020. This will allow you to stay in France after the transition periods ends. Expats will have to pay a visit to their local French consulate to obtain a Certificate de Changement de Résidence (Change of Residence Certificate), outlining their change of residency from the UK to France.

a. Register as a French Resident

b. Register for Swiss Healthcare

During the transition period, UK expats can continue to use their European Health Card (EHIC) just as before Brexit. However, they have to register for healthcare as a resident in France at their local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) in order to get a French social security and healthcare card. 

Public healthcare in France (PUMA) will kick in three months after having registered as a resident. In the meantime, you can use your EHIC card to access healthcare or supplement with a private health insurance. 

If you need more information on how to access French Healthcare, read our full guide here.

If your driver’s license was issued in the UK, and you have not lost any points or have any other restrictions on it, you will be able to use it while living in France. This rule is still valid during the Brexit transition period. 

If you need to know more about driving in France, read up on our extended guide.

6. Does your UK drivers license work in France?

UK nationals moving personal items to France are entitled to import any new goods into the country duty-free.This is until the end of the transition period. How Brexit will affect customs for your household goods, is unclear. It can happen that you will need to pay import tax on private goods after the 31st of December 2020. 

Before the end of the transition period, you should still be exempt from paying customs. However, it is advisable for expats to bring along any sales receipts.

3. How to move your belongings to France

UK nationals relocating to France will get a lot more for their money when it comes to renting in France. Paris rental prices might be cheaper than in London. However, Paris ranked one of the most unaffordable major cities in the world. Property prices have doubled in the last fifteen years. An unfurnished one-bedroom apartment in the center costs around 1,200 EUR (1,315 USD). If you are on a budget, you might want to consider renting outside of Paris or on the outskirts as rent prices drop significantly once outside of the city center. 

Properties in France are typically unfurnished but come with kitchen fixtures and white goods. That is, because French law distinguishes between long and short-term rentals. Unfurnished apartments are classified as long-term tenancies, with a standard contract period of three years. Short-term rentals of less than a year are considered holiday rentals and are fully furnished and more expensive. 

You better start your search early, as the housing market is tough. If you need help, do not hesitate to contact our Home Finding experts at InterNations GO! We know the local housing markets like the back of our hands and help you find the right option for you. 

If you decide to look on your own, start by browsing through the most popular online rental platforms Particulier à Particulier (PaP), Se Loger, Le Bon Coin.

4. How to find a home in France

Before Brexit was even on the horizon, UK nationals did not require a visa or a work permit to enter or  work in France. They were free to move within the EU/EEA with just a valid passport or identity card. Accompanying family members were also allowed to join them. 

Yet, with the UK leaving the EU by the end of 2020, rules regarding the right of movement will change. How? This is still up for debate. It could happen that UK citizens will need to get visas and work permits to live and work in the EU/EEA like other third country nationals. 

So far, the only official rules in place are the ones regarding the transition period that will end by December 31st, 2020.


According to the British Government, “British people keep most of their rights, including the right to move to an EU country” until the end of the transition period. That means, expats wanting to relocate to France can and should do so now.

1. Do You Need a French Visa and Work Permit? 

9 Things You Need to Know if You are Moving from the UK to France

I was able to connect with other expats in Zurich who enjoy cycling as much as I do and organize weekly rides.

Andrey Vasilyev

At the first InterNations event that I attended, I met my wonderful partner. We now live together in a flat next to the Limmat.

Elin Gustavson

The group of InterNations expats in Zug is so open and friendly that it was very easy to make friends.

Jayanti Magnussen

  • Start the tour with one night in Barcelona, where you can get to know the others in your group while enjoying tapas in the center of the city
  • Enjoy 4 four guided, moderate full-day hikes in Andorra, plus a free day to explore
  • Discover the natural landscape of Andorra and then relax in the hotel spa 
  • Get to know your group while having great adventures — a Tour Host will coordinate many opportunities for socializing throughout the trip
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Learn more about France

Visas & work permits in France

Healthcare in France

Working in France

Banking in France

Education in France

Housing in France

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The largest international community for people who live abroad, offering a range of online and in-person events and networking opportunities. 

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At the first InterNations event that I attended, I met my wonderful partner. We now live together in a flat next to the Limmat.

Elin Gustavson

Meet other Brits in France!

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Meet fellow compatriots and expats from all over the world at our expat events...

Transition Period

Meet other Brits in France!

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Meet fellow compatriots and expats from all over the world at our expat events...

The UK has an international tax treaty (convention fiscale internationale) with France, which means that you will not have to pay tax on your income in both the UK and France.

So far, any double taxation agreements between the UK and France have not been changed and will stay in place for the tax year of 2020. 

Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in France have not changed. Beware that if you have assets in the UK or any other country, you will need to declare everything in your annual tax return. 

If you want to learn more about taxes in France, read our Working in France guide.

5. What about taxes and finances in France?