Latest news

CPAM’S ENGLISH-SPEAKING HELPLINE - NEW NUMBER

Ameli.fr (the website portal for the French health insurance program) has updated its website recently as well as CPAM’s (Caisse Primaire d'Assurances Maladie - the local department level of the national health insurance adminstration) Englishspeaking helpline number. If you want to call the French speaking line), dial 36 46 from France or +33 184 90 36 46 from abroad. If you would prefer to speak to someone in English, you can contact the CPAM’s English speaking line: 09 74 75 36 46 (from France) and 0033 974 75 36 46 (from other countries). The line is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. www.ameli.fr/assure/ english-pages

Email Phishing Scam Solidarity Fund

Police have sent out warnings to the public to watch out for new scams asking for key personal details. Emails claiming to be from the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques urge recipients to reply immediately in order to obtain the 1500€ aid to help small business cope during the current health crisis. The usual rules apply - check the sender’s address, don’t reply to the email and don’t follow any links.

Gardeners Invited to Help Hedgehogs in France

The LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) has recently launched its ‘Hedgehog Mission’ (https://missionherisson.org) and is encouraging us all to observe and help hedgehogs. The mission is to better protect our prickly but cute friends and raise awareness of their decline. According to naturalist Philippe Jourde, two-thirds of hedgehogs have disappeared in France in the last two decades. If it continues at this rate, estimates are even suggesting that the species may completely disappear over the next three decades. To participate, you need to place special ‘tunnels’ for five consecutive nights in a quiet place in your garden (or an isolated outdoor area) and to paint the floor of the tunnel with a special kind of charcoal-based ‘ink’ powder. The next morning, if hedgehogs (or animals, such as squirrels) have visited, their ink prints will be visible on the cardboard. You then identify the species on the LPO website and submit the data daily to help support the campaign. You can build a tunnel yourself (as directed by the LPO – it’s important to follow their instructions exactly) or buy a kit from the website (25€). This will help the LPO and researchers get important data on the current state of the hedgehog population in France. Visit the LPO website at: https://boutique.lpo.fr/catalogue/nouveautes/?cat=219233

Competition Time! WIN a hedgehog igloo or a hedgehog tunnel tracking kit!

We have two tracking kits up for grabs PLUS a supercute igloo ‘gîte’. For a chance to win one of these prizes, locate ‘Twiggs’ the hedgehog who is hiding in this month’s magazine. Simply send an email to us at editors.etcetera@gmail.com with the the exact location of Twiggs, stating if you have a prize preference (kit or igloo). All entries must be in by midnight on Tuesday 22nd September, the three winners will be notified by email.

According to the Guardian, 4 August called Free Movement Directive) states 2020, the number of “UK citizens that: All Union citizens shall have the right emigrating to the EU has risen by 30% of residence on the territory of another since the Brexit vote”. You’ve only got to Member State for a period of longer than peek at dear old Facebook to hear the three months if they: many stories of people ‘exUKing’ from the UK at speed to beat the transition deadline of 31 Dec 2020. (a) are workers or self-employed persons in the host Member State; or So why the rush? The simple explanation is that 31 Dec 2020 marks the ‘effective date’ by which, provided you meet the conditions required to be ‘legally resident’ in France, your ongoing rights (b) have sufficient resources…not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the host Member State… and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover… are covered under the Withdrawal (c) are enrolled at a private or public Agreement (WA) and moving there to [education or training] establishment…; settle is relatively easy. and…have comprehensive sickness In other words, despite the UK being a ‘third country’ to the EU, British citizens legally resident in France before 31 Dec insurance cover…sufficient resources…not to become a burden on the social assistance system…; or 2020 retain the (EU) right to live, work (d) are family members accompanying or and set up a business for the rest of their joining a Union citizen who satisfies the lives. This means you’ll have the right, conditions referred to in points (a), among others, to access healthcare (b) or (c). according to your circumstances How do we prove we meet one of (including pensioners keeping S1 rights those criteria? where the UK effectively pays for the healthcare in France); and keep your state It’s important to point out that the official pension rights (including ‘uprating’ guidance on paperwork to be submitted is meaning it rises in line with inflation, not yet available, so this information is for average earnings growth, or a guaranteed guidance until full details are issued by the 2.5%; and ‘aggregating’ - adding together French government. all entitlements, if, for example, If you’re a ‘worker’, you’ll need either you’ve contributed in more than one proof of employment (your contract) or member state). your self-employment (business Before we look briefly at what this means registration certificate). If you intend to in the real world, and some ideas on how start a business, I would suggest moving to get ahead of the game - even prior to Despite the UK being a ‘third this forward swiftly to avoid possible your move - I’d country’ to the EU, British issues after 31 suggest a cuppa or large glass of something cool and a visit to some informative sites such as britishinfrance.com and www.francerights.org. Created from some amazing advocacy work on our behalf, you’ll find more in-depth information and guidance which should help you in your unique circumstances. You’ll also find information in English on how to apply online for the residence card from 1 October 2020 on the French government portal: www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/LeDecember 2020, as some administration authorities are insisting on a carte de séjour already (though when I gently pointed out that British citizens do not legally need one yet – and the new application platform is not even live - as stated on the French minister of interior website, they accept this each time). You’ll also get a relative ‘fast-track’ into the French healthcare system under CPAM (note that ‘fast-track’ does not often translate in French as speedily – it’s all relative!) citizens legally resident in France before 31 Dec 2020 retain the (EU) right to live, work and set up a business for the rest of their ministere-de-l-Interieur-se-prepare-auNotes Brexit/Sejour. Although you’ll have until Self-employment / businesses need to be 30 June 2021 to obtain this ‘carte de 'genuine and effective'. In the absence of sejour’ (CdS), you’ll need to meet the official guidance on what this means, it criteria for legal residence to be successful. appears a rather woolly term, so suggest So what is ‘legal residence’? you may need to demonstrate that it ‘has legs’ despite being a start-up but likely Chapter III, Article 7 of the Citizen’s not a game-changer for the first CdS Rights Directive 2004/38/EC (sometimes application. If the absence of income

JENNY SMITH

FRENCH WORDSMITH

Jenny Smith, French Wordsmith offers comprehensive administrative, translation and support services for English-speaking people in France on just about anything you can think of – from business and building to health, home, residence and schooling – and if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find someone who does. Contact her via mail: jenifer@wordsmithcoms.com or phone 06 79 85 58 84 / 0044 7557 402104 and read some client reviews on www.facebook.com/frenchwordsmith

proves to be a potential issue, you might consider including paperwork to back this up, such as a website address, flyers or proof of membership of a professional or trade organisation; client orders or billing, professional insurance (if required); affiliation to the social security system; qualifications (if needed) or bank statements showing transactions (which could be capital expenditure – all depends on your circumstances…). Students – you’ll need your student card and certificate of scolarity; obtain healthcare cover, and proof (or a statement) that you have sufficient resources (an attestation from parents or a partner should also suffice). Inactive people, including those on state pension or early retirees with their own financial means such as private pensions or savings, will need proof of ‘sufficient’ resources in the form of P60s or saving account statements, etc. and that you have healthcare in France; either under CPAM, or with private health insurance (see under ‘healthcare’ below*).

So far so good, what other paperwork might we need?

You’ll need to prepare your ‘footprint’ over the next few months, to prove: 1. ‘Stable’ residence which, if you own your own home, means a copy of your title deeds (or proof from the notaire or your ‘promise to buy’); for tenants, a copy of your (French) rental agreement. Although furnished rentals are usually minimum 12 months renewable, alternative (French) contracts may suffice in certain circumstances such as those in the process of buying a house where an attestation from the notaire would

French bureaucracy is well-known and it is important that you are organised, prepared and patient (and have a reliable photocopier/scanner…)

back this up. An attestation all or some prefectures. If you have d'hébergement from whoever you are the right to an S1, obtain that asap staying with as a guest may be from UK Overseas Healthcare Team accepted, though this has been seen (OHT), as even if you’ve not heard from some prefectures processing back from CPAM, the S1 itself might CdS applications as not ‘stable be accepted. If you need to register and regular’. your business (often a micro‘Regular’ residence – as your house could be a holiday home, you’ll need a utility bill (or an attestation of contract available on your online accounts) addressed to your ‘stable’ address, rather, than your old UK address, showing utility usage as for a full-time resident (electricity consumption too low may ring alarm bells so if your home was a secondary residence and now primary ask the supplier to increase your monthly entreprise) get this moving forward rapidly as you’ll obtain your healthcare rights via your selfemployment status. If you are ‘inactive’ but not yet of state pension age, seek your S1 refusal from OHT and be prepared to get comprehensive private insurance in the interim period if necessary – perhaps the safest with time not on your side for now. French red tape is famous – and for good reason payments perhaps, and make sure Notes your house insurance is for your A CPAM ‘attestation de droits’ is not, ‘primary residence’). contrary to popular belief, your carte Healthcare in the form of an attestation of your rights from CPAM (the French national health insurance administration) or private health insurance. It’s important to note, that while the EHIC (UK European vitale, which, incidentally, is rather like a credit card: you can have a plastic card but no money in your bank. Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) +44 191 218 1999 (select ‘S1’ on recorded message) Health Insurance Card) has, 4. Sufficient’ financial resources historically, been accepted for the Workers should not need to prove first 12 months you are resident in sufficient resources as long as their France, this may not be the case with work is ‘genuine and effective’ and not ‘marginal or ancillary’ (as a generalised statement!). Students are expected to be self-sufficient but often all that’s needed is a self-sworn statement (an attestation) that you are. Those self-sufficient / inactive people are likely to need to prove at least the RSA level of income as per their family composition, see: rsarevenu-de-solidariteactive.fr/montant-rsa/310-montantrsa-2020.html Notes France does not publish exact guidelines and the official line is that 'the adequacy of your income will be determined taking into account your personal situation'. A ‘holistic’ approach should therefore be used, taking into account if you are mortgage-free and without loans, etc. If relying on significant savings, you may just need to present a clear case that you’re ‘living within your means’ until the arrival of a stable income such as a state pension, and include savings account statements or a state (or other) pension forecast.

What sort of things can I sort now?

French red tape is famous – and for good reason. This ‘paperasse’ is wrapped around just about every single administrative task. A tablet or PC with printer and scanner with good internet connection/WiFi is therefore as essential

Whether retiring or moving here as a family with children, there are a multitude of reasons why so many people choose France to be their new home

as red wine, bread and cheese so do as scouts do, and be prepared: 1. Collect together the following general documents appropriate to you, and take 4 quality copies (or a lowresolution scan), with nothing missing off (oh and copy outsize certificates onto A3 or reduce to scan): a) Passports with at least 6 months left and less than 10 years old b) Birth certificates – with parents' full names c) Marriage, divorce and death certificates (and statutory deed poll documents if you have changed your name this way) d) Title deeds to property or rental contract, and utilities in your name(s) e) Proof of income from last 12 months (P60s, salary slips, current and savings account bank statements for last 3 months, accounts from UK business) f) EHIC g) Qualification certificates and professional insurance from UK business 2. Get at least documents a, b and c translated by a court-approved translator (traducteur assermenté) as this is increasingly required by many administrations 3.

4.

5.

6.

7. Get a French mobile phone and bank Notes account (ideally a local branch and an Get to grips with some bedtime reading advisor who speaks some English) as this subject is frequently registered to your new address misunderstood and subject to mistakes: in France www.frenchApply for an S1 or S1 refusal if appropriate property.com/guides/france/financetaxation/taxation/liability-incometax/#3.1 Consider comprehensive private health insurance if appropriate Can I still move after 31 Dec 2020? Upon your arrival, go to your local mayor to introduce yourself, find out This is the subject for another article, but many people do successfully navigate the third country red tape about your local every year. But… it will commune and explain you are now resident Find out about your liabilities to Upon your arrival, go to your local mayor to introduce yourself, find out about your local commune be more complicated and more costly; with business set up likely needing investment money and a detailed French income tax, business plan. So and inform HMRC perhaps not for the and your local French tax office that faint-hearted (unless you are of you are now resident in France so you ‘significant means’). can, in the future, get any UK income Note to the reader: that is taxable in France gross, or As ever, I’ve done my utmost to give you claim back for tax already paid. the facts and clear explanations prior to Making a tax declaration in France is publication, and check on the credibility a legal obligation for residents, of my sources of information, but you’ll regardless of where income is earned need to keep an eye on updates, and, for (but with the double taxation those needing specialist advice for agreement you won’t pay tax twice), appropriate financial and other plus you will need the end of year planning, I’d recommend spending the income tax statement (avis d’impot time to get a clear steer on complex issues sur le revenue) in subsequent years' as this usually saves time, money and CdS applications. hassle down the line.