 Retiring in France
Whether you’re a million miles from retirement but are mulling over your options already, or you’ve worked on beyond your retirement years and now want a rest, or you’re retiring any day now or have decided to take early retirement, I’m pretty sure you have one key objective in your mind - and that is to achieve a quality of life in retirement that you really deserve…an affordable, sustainable and excellent quality of life.
Then our advice for you today is retire to France for quality of life because France has the climate, the cuisine, the affordability, ambience and culture that draws thousands of new retirees annually. In this article we’ll look at the main reasons to retire in France so that if you’re looking for the perfect retirement retreat, you can quickly see that France ticks all the boxes!
Inheritance if you live in France If you are buying a property in France or moving to France it is a good idea to understand French succession law which has remained largely unchanged since the introduction of the Napoleonic Code in 1804. Read more... | | Your finances in France Finance and investments in France are not particulary different from the UK. There is a double taxation agreement which means that tax paid in one country acts as a credit in the other. But when it comes to some types of investments the rules can be different and it is a good idea to seek professional advice before deciding whether to transfer assets to France and leave them in the UK.. Read more... | What to do when retiring in France Moving to France to live permanently can be an exciting and a daunting prospect, especially if you are retired. But the good news is that in many areas there are clubs and associations where you can meet like minded people, while the slower pace of life means there’s time to chat and say hello.. Read more... | | Making the most of your UK pension If you are retired and living in France there are various options when it comes to your UK pension. A lot depends on your circumstances and the rules change frequently but the basic fundamentals don’t change that much - some pensions can be moved and others can’t. Pension legislation, however, is a complex area both in France and the UK. Read more... |
The Climate – France covers a large and diverse geographic area. You have the Pyrenees and the Alps, you have the stunning sun kissed Cote d’Azur, you have the gently sloping wine regions and you have rocky and wild Brittany. The fact that there are so many different geographic regions means that you can have any climate you like in France! Most retirees head south and get a very temperate climate, mild in the winters and warm in the summers with low rainfall and plenty of balmy days which are perfect for putting your feet up and relaxing.
The Culture – France is awash with traditions and history, art and culture and so there is much to do and see on a daily basis. One of the best things about retiring in France is the fact that you need never, ever suffer with boredom! You can go to a farmer’s market one day, visit a chateau the next, take in a vineyard over the weekend and a trip to the beach or a ski resort the next week.
The Cuisine – French cuisine is famous globally as being some of the finest in the whole world. This is largely down to the quality of ingredients you can get as well as the excellent weather that is conducive of good food production. When you’re living in France in retirement you can spend time learning to cook new local recipes, you can enjoy shopping locally for exquisitely produced food and wine and what’s more, you can go out for dinner and pretty much be assured of the quality of both the menu and the wine list – what a treat.
Accessibility – there are cheap flight operators from the UK and mainland Europe flying to many of France’s 477 airports on a daily or weekly basis, you can also get ferries to and from France from the UK, Corsica, Italy and Spain and France has exceptionally good inter-Europe train and road links meaning you can get to and from your home in France easily and so can your friends and family who will invariably want to come and visit and share your quality of life…and what’s more, you can also get to other locations in Europe that you have always wanted to visit making Franc exceptionally accessible.
Ease of Relocation – if you’re a citizen of another European country there is nothing whatsoever preventing you from retiring in France. If you herald from the US or Canada for example you are also able to take up long term residency in France but there is some paperwork and there are some permissions you have to get before you travel. It’s best to speak to the nearest French embassy or consulate to you before you firm up your plans to retire in France so that you get all the correct paperwork in place before you relocate.
The People – the French are extremely welcoming of anyone who shows interest in their nation, language culture and traditions. But you will have to learn to speak French if you want to be fully integrated and accepted. The good news is that it is far easier to learn French when you’re living in France and are immersed in the language all day every day - so even if, when you retire to France your French language skills leave a lot to be desired, you’ll soon pick up French and will make many new local and international friends.
The Healthcare – the standard and availability of healthcare in France is improving all the time. In retirement it is especially wise to take out a decent health insurance policy and never more so than if you’re retiring abroad! You can get health insurance locally in France but also check out international health insurers as they are sometimes more likely to take on those who they have no history of insurance with, whereas local insurance companies often only take on retirees who they have insured for many years. Check out your options before you go.
The Cost of Living – you can live very affordably in most parts of France – it’s only when you move into main towns and cities and shop for international produce that the cost of living in France goes through the roof. In retirement many are on a budget, and if you shop for local produce at the market and eat produce that is in season as well as dining out at restaurants frequented by the French rather than the tourists you’ll have a great standard of living on far less.
The Quality of Life – and finally – the quality of life achievable in France is exceptionally good. You will make friends, be surrounded by culture and things to do and see, you will be able to wine and dine fantastically, enjoy stunning weather and gorgeous scenery and you’ll be able to do all of this on a relatively small budget. Does the quality of life achievable anywhere in the world get any better?
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