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'A really useful page'

If you have learnt by experience and feel people might like to know, send us the INFO and we can share it with others.

Click on the subject which interests you to go straight to it!

Accidents      Banks    Car hire   Dentists    Documents     Doctors    Driving    Electricity/EDF    Entry to France as a new resident    Finance    Health    Holidays    Insurance    Internet    Leisure    Mairies    Opticians    Passports      Physio     Swimming Pools     Tax      Telephone    Tips about Houses    Vets

Public holidays in France

1 January - New Years Day 15 August - Assumption of the Virgin Mary
1 May - Labour Day 1 November- All Saints Day
8 May - Victory Day 11 November - Armistice Day
14 July - Bastille Day  25 December - Christmas Day

Tips about houses

If you can get a survey done on the property you are thinking of buying DO IT!

 

Notaires can and do sell houses and the Notaire you will be dealing with may have someone who speaks English working in the office. For lots of info about Notaires visit www.notaires.fr in English.

 

The local Marie will have details of the property you might be thinking of buying and in particular will be able to confirm the size of the plot.

 

Land is always measured in square metres. 4000 sq mtrs is approx. 1 acre

 

Distance in kilometres - to convert quickly to miles multiply by ·6 ie 10k=6m

 

Certificate of Urbanism ( outline planning) is only valid for 1 year.

 

Planning permission will be needed to turn a barn into a house and not all barns are suitable, check that out before you buy!

 

Chimneys often need to be officially cleaned once a year to meet insurance requirements. To clean your chimney yourself you can buy a 'bûche de ramonage' which comes with an assurance certificate.

 

Swimming Pools

 

Swimming pools New laws came into effect 01/01/2004. Check out this link for some info  www.richardewing.net/poolsafety

 

Mairies

 

Bussiere Galant - Le Bourg 05 55 78 80 26

Les Cars - Le Bourg 05 55 36 90 22

Chalus - 32 av Francois Mitterrand 05 55 31 88 88

Champagnac La Riviere - 4 place de la mairie 05 55 78 17 72

Champsac - Le Bourg 05 55 78 43 33

La Chapelle Montbrandeix - Le Bourg 05 55 78 70 87

Cussac - Le Bourg 05 55 70 94 35

Dournazac - 1 r 11 Novembre 1918 05 55 78 43 08

Flavignac - 19 pl 8 Mai 1945 05 55 39 11 14

Lavignac - Le Bourg 05 55 36 94 36

Marval - Le Bourg 05 55 78 71 04

Oradour sur Vayres - 26 Rue du General de Gaulle 05 55 31 92 92

E mail otoradour@ot-oradour-sur-vayres.fr

Pageas - Le Bourg 05 55 78 41 86

Pensol - Le Bourg 05 55 78 71 06

Rocheachouart - pl Chateau 05 55 43 00 80

Saint Mathieu - 1 place Doct Hugonneau 05 55 00 30 26

E mail mairie@saint-mathieu.fr

Vayres - Le Bourg 05 55 78 76 82

Documents

Did you know that there are strict rules on how long certain documents should be kept? If you would like a list just e mail carol@dordogne-on-line.info and a "word" document will be sent by return e mail, just mark your e mail DOCUMENTS
 

Finance

 

If you live in France permanently and your home is your main residence you must register with your local tax office and receive a tax number, even if you have nil income. If you don't do this and then sell your house you will be subject to capital gains tax.

 

Entry to France as a new resident

 

This information has been taken from The Complete France Forum (16 September 2007 - with the moderators and forum members permission) and is high priority information to ALL new residents to France. Please click through to the forum for more information if you wish.

New regulations concerning the Right of Entry and Residence for EU Citizens intending to move to France.

There have been some important changes to the French immigration regulations that will effect all those intending to relocate to France in the future. The purpose of this note is to provide a brief overview of the situation as published on the Service-Public website.

The government is introducing a new obligatory registration system for EU citizens which is due to come into force soon. Under the new regulations, you will be obliged to register with your mairie within three months of arrival and obtain a residence certificate.

In order to obtain the certificate, you must comply with the code de l'entrée et du sejour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (articles L121-1, L 121-2 and L122-1 to L122-3) which sets out the following conditions:

  • You must be in possession of an current valid passport
  • You must not be considered to be a threat to public order,
  • You must provide evidence that you have sufficient resources so as not to become a burden on the French social security system and have made adequate provision for healthcare and maternity insurance.

In terms of the latter condition, the criteria for registration may be fulfilled as follows:

You are currently employed or have an offer of employment in France

You will be making obligatory contributions towards social security/pension/healthcare in the same way as any other French employee. You must produce evidence of employment in order to obtain your residence certificate.

You are not employed, but intending to start your own business in France

Provided you have registered the business within the three months and arranged the obligatory social security/pension/heathcare provisions applicable to your trade or profession, then you may obtain your residence certificate.

You are retired or you have not obtained employment or established a business in France

As a ‘non-actif’, you must provide evidence of resources (such as pension and/or investment income) at least to the level of RMI (currently 440,86€ per month for a single person without child), or if you are over 65, then at least to the level of the old person’s allowance (currently 621,27€ per month maximum for a single person).

The additional entry requirement for heathcare insurance will be satisfied if you hold a current valid E-form entitling you to affilliate to the state heathcare insurance system, otherwise you will have to purchase a private health insurance policy offering an approved level of cover. If you hold a temporary E106, then once it expires, your affiliation will also expire and you will have to obtain private insurance cover. Holders of the E121 automatically receive entitlement to state healthcare insurance cover for life, so they are not affected by this.

The new registration requirement will only apply to persons entering France once the decree setting out the modalities of the process has been published. After that, the right of stay will be dependent upon fulfilling these criteria and obtaining the necessary residence certificate.

The above procedure applies to EU citizens only. Non EU citizens are subject to other arrrangements.

Banks

 

To open a bank account you will need, passports, usually 3 months bank statements and some uk utility bills with your address on. Lots of banks now have someone who speaks English. 

 

Click here to go to our Links Page for French Banks

 

Tax

 

Winter Fuel Allowance 2007

 

In 2005 a Winter Fuel Allowance (Prime a la Cuve) was paid at 75 euro. This year due to the high price of fuel the allowance will be 150 euro.

 

To claim this allowance you must be tax resident in France, on a low income, provide a copy of your Tax Notification and receipt for fuel purchase.

 

The form to claim this allowance is available from you local Impot office or may be downloaded in .pdf format here http://www.minefe.gouv.fr/directions_services/Tresor_public/aide_cuve/formulaire_2007.pdf

 

Insurance

 

House Insurance must be in place before you finally sign for a property. Take a copy of the insurance/cover note with you to the Notaire on signing day.

 

Changing Insurance companies - you must give at least 2 months notice to change your insurance company. It is also a good idea to send any notifications to your insurance company by registered post.

 

Internet

 

Wanadoo - for those of you using Orange (was Wanadoo) as your internet connection and also having a Live box as a router for ADSL/Broadband connection - it is sometimes a problem trying to understand all the French for installation and trouble shooting. Go to www.orange.co.uk and click on the Help button - there you can type in a question for example "install livebox" and a list of different help pages will appear, in some instances identical to the French but if not the principles are the same. Found this a great help at times and there is also a full list of the problem codes.

 

Electricty/EDF

 

Phone line and email address set up for English residents in France.

 

The phone number is 05 62 16 49 08.

The email is simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr

 

Telephone

 

France Telecom Paris has opened an 0800 364 775 number (toll-free call) intended to cater for the needs of the English-speaking community all over France. This new service is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. 

For more info: www.francetelecom.com

 

Leisure

 

If you want to go to the cinema and wonder if the film will be in French, look for VO after the title which means it is the original version so will be in the original language.

If music is your thing look out for posters advertising events and if it says 'gratuit' entry is FREE!

 

Car Hire

 

If you are coming to France and intend to hire a car please be aware that you will need a credit card so that the car hire company has some security to obtain any excess charges. Some househunters have recently arrived wanting to pay in cash which is probably fine for the hire costs but you still need to have a credit card.


Do book your car hire for 24 hour periods from the time of arrival. If you go over a 24 hour period they will charge an extra day!

 

Lots of garages in France now have 24/24 pumps, as in UK, designed to serve yourself and pay by credit card. You cannot use these pumps without a 'PIN' number so do not try to use your UK credit card. 'PIN' numbers are at present being issued in UK but cannot be used yet.

The cheapest places for fuel are supermarkets, and as in UK, the most expensive fuel is on the autoroutes. 

 

Unleaded petrol is 'sans plomb' and diesel is 'gazoil'.

 

January fuel price for 'sans plomb' varied from .98euro to 1.14euro.

 

Autoroutes - In France it is usual to pay to travel on the autoroute (motorway). You enter through a booth called Péage where you either collect a ticket and pay as you exit or you may be asked to pay a fixed fee. It may seem expensive to UK visitors but the autoroutes are well maintained and an easy and quick way to travel long distances. The traffic is not usually as heavy as in UK although it can be busy around major towns. 

 

Speed limits are 130kph in good weather and 110kph in bad weather on the autoroutes.. 

 

Do not be tempted to go above the speed limits. The French police are very 'hot' at the moment trying to catch speeding motorists and you will see them!

 

Do not drink and drive. You can be stopped in the middle of the smallest villages and breathalysed!

 

Do invest in a Michelin map book for finding your routes. Expensive, but worth it.

 

Health

 

Emergency phone numbers

 

Police            17

 

Fire                18

 

Ambulance    15

Affections Longue Duree (ALDs) - we have a list of these medical conditions in English. If you would like a copy please email carol@dordogne-on-line.info with "ALD LIST" in the subject box and we will forward a copy to you.

Affections Longue Durée (ALDs) as presently defined by the French Government.  ALDs are medical conditions for which 100% re-imbursement is available through the French State Healthcare scheme.

French government's new decision on access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries (14/12/07)

This is a statement taken from the British Embassy France web site.

Following representations made to the French government, we can confirm that the French Health Ministry has modified its decision regarding access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries already residing in France.

According to the French Health Ministry's official revised statement and Q&A factsheet http://www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm the position is:

  • Inactive EU citizens already living in France and already registered and accessing healthcare via the CMU before 23 November 2007 will now be allowed to continue to do so.
  • After 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence" in France, an EU citizen qualifies as a permanent French resident and will therefore have access to healthcare via the CMU.
  • The position remains that all inactive EU citizens under retirement age living in France now or in future who are not entitled to healthcare reimbursement (through the E106 or E109 forms) or to access to the French health system will be required to have their own personal health insurance until they reach UK state pension age (and therefore qualify for entitlement to the E121 form), or until they qualify as a French resident (after 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence").
  • We have ensured that the French authorities are fully aware of the specific circumstances of E106 holders already resident in France who do not have existing access to CMU and who may not be able to secure private health insurance for various reasons when their E106 expires. Following discussions to highlight the need for urgent clarification in cases where the E106 is due to expire imminently, we have been told that people will have the safeguard of essential immediate healthcare provision. We are expecting a response in the next few days from the Health Ministry to give further detail for people in these circumstances.
  • As previously, people already over retirement age who are holders of an E121 which is registered with the French authorities will remain unaffected.

This information is based on what we have been told by the French authorities. We suggest people seek further information and advice on individual cases from one or more of the following:

French Social Security website: http://www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm

CPAM - The French Health Service (English language service): +33 8 20 90 42 12

CLEISS - (France's helpdesk for international mobility and social security):
11 rue de la tour des Dames
75436 Paris cedex 09
Tel: +33 1 45 26 33 41
www.cleiss.fr

DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline International Pension Centre
Room Tc001
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
Tel: +44 (0) 191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm)
www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

or for press enquiries: Department of Health Press Office: +(44) 207 210 5221

Carte Europeene d'Assurance Maladie - if you are a resident in France, have a carte vitale and travel to the UK or any other country for a holiday you must have this card. It is necessary to renew it every year. Either apply at your local CPAM or you can apply on line here

http://www.ameli.fr/assures/vos-services-en-ligne/demande-de-carte-europeenne-d-assurance-maladie_haute-vienne.php if you are in the Limousin. You need a card for each person travelling.

Click here to read Forward Planning your Healthcare in France

Article by  Peter Owen www.expathealthdirect.co.uk  

English speaking help line for medical cover in Limousin - www.cpam87.fr/siteweb/anglais

CPAM de la Haute Vienne, 22 ave Jean Gagnant, 87037, Limoges

International helpline - Tel 05 55 45 87 35 or 05 55 45 87 31

MEDICATION AND MEDICAL PROBLEMS - whether you are just traveling France, renting, house hunting or coming to live for the first time carry with you details of any medical conditions you may have and a list of your medication, preferably prepared by a doctor in the UK. If your stay in France is extended for any reason and you are not carrying enough medication it would make it easier for a French doctor to prescribe for you.

 

Hospitals

 

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU Dupuytren), 2 av Martin Luther King, 87000 Limoges Tel: 05 55 05 61 23

Centre Hospitalier Jacques Boutard, Place du 4 Septembre - BP 5187500 Saint Yrieix La Perche Tel: 05 55 75 75 75

 

Even if we speak French, we can all have problems when visiting the Doctor, Dentist, Vet or other health professionals.

If you know of a health professional, who speaks a little English or is helpful towards non-French speakers, please let us know.

 

Dentists - (only dentists that others have used and found ok are published here)

English speaking lady dentist in Piegut -  Francoise Sourgen - 05 53 56 41 57

Dentist - Dr Thanh Nguyen, Station de Bussiere Galant, 87230 Haute Vienne. English spoken. Tel 05 55 78 82 78

 

Doctors

 

Jacques Devalette - 12 ave Andre Besse 87230 Chalus 05 55 78 43 89 - speaks some English

 

Optician

 

English speaking Christophe Dufraisse, Optometrie et sciences de la vision

Thiviers 05 53 55 02 30 Nontron 05 53 56 06 51

Open Monday 2 pm to 7 pm, Tuesday to Saturday 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm

Very good and very thorough.

 

Physio

 

Inez Verheyen - Bussiere Galant Gare, 87230 Haute Vienne 05 55 78 28 19 - fluent English spoken

 

Vets - (only vets that others have used and found ok are published here)

 

JL Doussaud and W Wolff
2 Rue de Bois
19230 Pompadour
telephone 05 55 73 97 00
fax 05 55 73 97 05
The vets do speak some English.

Clinique Veterinaire de l'Araucasia, Oradour sur Vayres, Haute Vienne.

Telephone 05 55 78 10 07 (Sophie - speaks English)

Clinique Veterinaire Vanteaux,

69 Rue Vitorien, Sardou,

87000 Limoges.

Mon-Fri 8.00 am to 7.30pm, Sat 8.00am to 2.30 pm.

English Spoken.

Tel 05 55 50 71 90

Cabinet Veterinaire de Chalus

Dr Chr COUARTOU  & Dr H DEROM

Docteurs Veterinaires

6 Rue Nationale

87230 CHALUS          05 55 78 41 64 

Walk in consultations are Monday - Saturday 08:30 - 09:30 & 13:30 - 14.30 hrs

With evenings being for pre-arranged appointments. 

English spoken.

 

Driving

 

Drivers who take up residence in another EC/EEA country no longer have to exchange their driving licence, but may continue to drive using their own national licence for as long as is remains valid. You should however check with the appropriate driving licensing authorities where you will be residing for information on any conditions that the host member state may stipulate.

National licences may only carry an address from the country which issued that licence. We are therefore unable to re-issue your British licence with a foreign address. It is accepted that drivers who move to another part of the EC/EEA could be holding driving licences showing an incorrect address. This is permissible under the terms of the EC Directive on Driving Licences. www.direct.gov.uk

 

ACCIDENTS - you should have a form in your car (available from your insurance company) and called in French "Constat Amiable d'accident Automobile". If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident this form MUST be completed in conjunction with the driver of the other car and each of you have a copy and then you MUST report to your insurance company as soon as possible. We have a bilingual copy of this form (in French and English) in PDF format. If you would like a copy please email carol@france-on-line.info and put ACCIDENT FORM in the subject box and we will be pleased to forward a copy to you.

 

Passports

 

To renew an English Passport in France go to www.amb-grandebretagne.fr and click on the English Flag. Then click on Services for Britons in France and then Passports and you can follow the link from there by clicking on B.R.I.T. "click here" which opens a page with forms to download and costs etc.

 

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