Useful Information
Medical cover in France
When visiting France for any length of time it is advisable to ask to the NHS well in advance to complete and send a European NHS card (replacing the former E111 form). The European NHS card may be obtained by telephoning the NHS (currently on 0845 606 2030) and providing confirmation of a valid National Insurance Number together with personal details.
The European NHS card provides free cover in France for up to 6 months, which is paid for by the English NHS under a reciprocal agreement between England and France.
If you intend to move to France permanently, then you need to address your request to the DSS in Newcastle. For further information please see the excellent Department of Health website
For those residing in France for over 6 months, to obtain medical cover it is necessary to register with the French medical service (known as the securite sociale or more precisely the "Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie" for your region). For those over 65 (being the UK retirement age) no contributions towards the French medical service are required, as there is cover under a reciprocal agreement between England and France.
As recently reported in the English press, the French are now insisting that all those residing but not working in France and who are under the official age of retirement of their country of origin (65 in the UK), may no longer benefit from medical cover provided by the French state. These people must register and pay into the French medical service.
French Schools and education
Primary education : Attendance at the Ecole Primaire lasts for five years, from age 6 to age 11
Lower Secondary education : Attendance at the College last for four years, from 11 to 15.
Upper Secondary Education : Attendance for 3 years, age 15 to 18. Pupils may opt either for general/technological education in lycées preparing for the Baccalaurat or the in three years; or for technical/vocational education in lycées professionnels preparing first for the Certificat d'Aptitude professionnelle (CAP) or the Brevet d'Etudes professionnelles (BEP) in two years and then, for those who want to continue, for the Baccalauréat professionnel in two more years.
Higher education in France:
Higher education in France is characterized by a dual system : it is provided in universities (including Instituts nationaux polytechniques) open to a large number of students, whose programmes are generally geared towards research and its applications and in Grandes Ecoles and other professional higher education institutions with selective admission policies. Whereas most institutions come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth, Education and Research, some Grandes Ecoles come under other Ministries. Universities are made up of units offering curricula in academic fields and of various institutes and schools - such as the IUT - offering courses in Engineering and Technology and special programmes in Management, Political Science, Languages and Physical Education, the IUFM (Instituts Universitaires de Formation des Matres) which offer training courses for primary and secondary schools teachers, the IUP (Instituts Universitaires Professionalisés) which offer technological courses and practical training with an introduction to research and foreign languages. The Grandes Ecoles offer a high standard of professional education in three or more years after two years of preparatory classes and the passing of a very selective competitive entrance examination. They offer scientific training, teacher training or advanced business studies. Five Catholic higher education institutes prepare for either national and professional diplomas or for church diplomas. National diplomas are conferred by universities.
Non-university level: Technical/vocational: Short-study courses last for two years after the Baccalauréat and lead to a terminal diploma : Brevet de Technicien supérieur (BTS), a national diploma awarded in vocational and service areas. Courses are provided in Lycées; Diplome universitaire de technologie (DUT) offered in Instituts universitaires de Technologie to train middle-level managers in Industry and Commerce; Diplome d'Etudes universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST) offered in various fields related to national or regional needs. DUT and DEUST diplomas are offered in University institutions and are equivalent to a first cycle in a University. A DUT graduate may, in some cases, pursue higher studies leading to the Licence and other degrees.
Private Schools in France
Approximately 14% of primary schools and 20% of secondary schools in France are "private". This has a different connotation to the UK in that there is considerably less social segregation in French Private schools and considerably more state funding. The level of education is not necessarily any better than in the French state schools but private schools tend to cater for different particularities such as special requirements, religion.etc.
Private school fees in France currently amount to about 100 to 200 Euros per month.
Expat Schools in France
These are truly private in the sense that is understood in the UK, and are designed to provide flexible dual speaking education for those whose primary language is not French, although the increasing use of the French language is encouraged. Fees would be about ten thousand Euros per annum for day school.
Registering for tax - French resident
Broadly speaking the French fiscal authorities define French residency as applying to anyone in respect of which France is the centre of their economic and social interests. French residents are supposed to declare and be taxed on their worldwide income.
Anyone resident in France must register with the Tax Office for the area in which they reside. The tax office will send you a tax form and if necessary explain it in person. Each household must declare all revenue for all "parts" of the household, i.e. including spouses and children). The completed form should be returned to the same address as your local tax office who would have sent it to you in the first place.
Registering for tax - non resident
Do not forget that even as a non resident, you may need to register for tax with :
Centre des Impots des Non-Residents (CINR)
TSA 10010
10, Rue du Centre - 93465 NOISY LE GRAND CEDEX
Tel. : 01 57 33 83 00 - Fax : 01 57 33 83 50
Email : nonresidents@dgi.finances.gouv.fr
Driving in France
Do remember that those visiting France from England by car must inform their insurance company of that fact unless the policy covers driving in the EU. Do not forget also to carry all the necessary safety equipment.
Under European directive No 91/439 of 20th July 1991, a valid English driving licence is also valid in France although in practice the French authorities require that an English licence be exchanged for a French licence after one year of French residency.
Lost driving licenses may be replaced by contacting the approriate Prefecture within the relevent Departement. The Prefecture will provide a French licence once they have ascertained whether that person is entitled to a valid licence in their home country.
Fines and tickets : If a French resident accumulates sufficient driving offences in France, resulting in a loss of licence under the French points system, they are obliged to re-sit their French driving test.
Speed Limits : Most Department Roads are limited to a maximum of 90 kms per hour, with built up areas limited to a maximum of 50 kms per hour. Dual carriageways are limited to 110 kms per hour. Autoroutes are limited to 130 kms per hour unless the weather conditions are poor, in which case the limit is 110 kms per hour.
French Public Holidays
1st January New Year's Day Good Friday -(Le Vendredi Saint) (only within and including a 2km radius of the Moselle, the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin)
Easter Sunday - (Le jour de Paques)
Easter Monday - (Le Lundi de Paques)
Ascension Day - (le Jour de lâ Ascension)
Pentacost/Whit Sunday - (le Jour de la Pentecote)
1st May Labour Day - (la Fete du Travail)
8th May VE Day - (La Fete de la Victoire de 1945)
14th July Bastille Day -(La Prise de la Bastille)
15th August Assumption Day - (Lâ Assomption)
1st November All Saints Day - (Lâ Toussaint)
11th November - Armistice Day
25th December - Christmas Day (Noel)
26th December Boxing Day - (only within and including a 2km radius of the Moselle, the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin)