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Generally speaking, the school day in France is from 8:30 until 4:30, but it varies depending on which area you live in. This is longer than the typical school day in the UK or America, but there is a longer lunch break and two other breaks during the day. There are 24 hours of lessons a week.
French High School students go to school 5 days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for a full day (lessons from 8:00-9:00 to 00) and in the morning on Wednesday or Saturday (depending on the school) from 8:00 to 12:00. On average the weekly timetable includes 27 hours of lessons.
The school day in France typically runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a half day on Saturday, although students do not attend school on Wednesday or Sunday. Lunch is a two-hour break for public school students. Students usually attend school from ages 6 to 18. The average number of students per class is 23.
The French Government have announced that Saturday morning schooling for all school children is to end. Around 25% of primary children attend school four days a week, whilst others do a 4½ day week, with around 50% attending on a Saturday morning, but others doing so on a Wednesday morning.
France: France does charge tuition – but normally around 200 dollars at public universities. A far cry from what you’d pay in the United States, even in a state school. Norway: Norwegian students, including foreigners studying in the country, do not have to pay any college tuition.
France is about 1.5 times bigger than Germany but with a population 20% smaller. In effect, it has a larger rural area with less people to populate it. And as more and more people relocate to cities, more houses are being added to the market—often at bargain prices.
State healthcare in France is not free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions. These are known as co-payments. The French national insurance fund, Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM), will then repay you for part of the costs later.
France has a longer life expectancy, a lower infant mortality rate, and a higher doctor-to-resident ratio than the United States. “Sécurité Sociale” is funded by the government, but allows everyone in France access to affordable health care, whether you are a citizen, resident, or tourist.
Many wanted to move to France prior to the 30 December 2020 Brexit deadline, but the Covid-19 lockdowns conspired against them. it is still perfectly possible to move to France in 2021. If you are a UK National you can stay in France more than 90 days at a time.
French residents pay capital gains tax on worldwide property, including shares in property-holding companies, at 19%, plus surtaxes, plus 17.2% social charges. The maximum total rate is 42.2%. There are no surtaxes for gains under €50,000, but after that they rise progressively from 2% to 6% for gains over €260,000.
With one of the most regulated property markets in the world, France has always been a great place to invest. Holiday lets are a lucrative business, and buying a second home is perhaps the best, and most assured way to invest your money.
Can foreigners buy property in France? Yes– there are currently no restrictions on foreigners buying property in France, however you may find the process a bit more difficult as a foreigner. If you’re working with a real estate agent the process is likely to be relatively straightforward regardless.
183 days
Home-owners will be able to stay at their French homes for 90 days every 180 days, at most. Overstaying this period has its consequences. By the end of 2022, all Brits travelling to France to visit their homes there will need to apply for a travel authorization.
The bottom line – if you do want to retire to France, you will likely need a secure private pension and/or considerable assets (such as a mortgage-free UK or French property), as well as private healthcare coverage. Read more about Moving to France After Brexit.
5 Affordable Places to Retire in France
If you have been living in France for less than 5 years, you are eligible for a 5-year residency permit. You will need to provide evidence of your personal situation (as a worker, self-sufficient person, student, job seeker, British family member, British spouse of a French national).
According to the French Embassy, Americans can stay in France (without working) for up to three months on a tourist visa. If you want to stay longer than that you need to apply for a work visa. The problem is, you must have secured a job before you can apply for a work visa.
Each VLS-TS application is assessed individually, and being a French property owner will not automatically grant you the right to residency. However, assets are taken into account, so it may help your application, especially if you own your French property without a mortgage.
There is one reason on the UK’s exemption list related to property – to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property. So it seems that if you are selling or renting out your second home in France you could travel, but just visiting it is not allowed.
Many people who move to France do so without being able to speak any French. The French are usually open-minded and welcoming. Also most locals will have had some exposure to English at school – only they won’t let it show until you make an effort to speak French.
You must apply for a long-stay “visiteur” (visitor) visa. For stays of between 4 and 6 months, you will be issued a temporary long-stay visa that may not be extended; For stays of between 4 and 12 months, you will be issued a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit.
Visas. The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed on 1 January 2021: you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. if you stay in France with a visa or permit, this does not count towards the 90-day limit.
As of January 26, 2021, all travelers from Europe and the rest of the world will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 3 days before boarding their flight to the USA..
For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay vis. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Whatever the duration of your planned stay, the duration of your long-stay visa must be between three months and one year.
Second home owners who want to spend more than three months at a time at their French properties will now need to apply for long-stay visas. Now that the UK is a non-EU country, British tourists can spend no more than 90 days in any 180-day period inside the Schengen Zone (which includes France) visa-free.