Taking care of payments while you travel just got easier with the introduction of a currency card from one of the leading currency exchange providors.

Currencies Direct offer a multi-currency debit card that allows you to pay in pounds sterling, US Dollars, Euros and Australian dollars, direct from your currency wallet.

The card is currently available for customers based in the UK, France, Spain and Portugal, with more countries to be added soon.

Benefits of multi-currency card

There are no monthly card fees. No upfront fees. No recurring fees.

You can use your Currencies Direct multi-currency card in over 200 countries – anywhere Mastercard® is accepted.

You can withdraw money from ATMs, all at Currencies Direct’s competitive exchange rate, not the usual ATM rate (see a comparison to bank rates on their site, it’s incredible the savings you can make on your currency transactions).

And with instant notifications in the Currencies Direct app, you can track their spending abroad and stay in control with features like the ability to freeze/unfreeze your card.

24/7 customer support (award winning customer support at that).

If you have Apple Pay, you can use your Currencies Direct card from you iPhone or Apple Watch.

How to get your multi-currency card

You can register in minutes through our app – available in the App Store or Google Play

Currencies Direct have been helping people save time and money on their currency transfers since 1996 with excellent exchange rates, no transfer fees and exceptional customer service.

You can find out more about the multi-currency card here: currenciesdirect.com

Currencies Direct are the winners of the 2023 Best Business FX Provider award (Business Moneyfacts), and Best Currency Broker award (Good Money Guide). They are authorised by the FCA as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI). And have a level 1 credit rating with Dun & Bradstreet (that’s the highest you can get).

The post Multi-currency travel card appeared first on The Good Life France.

 

Working as a solo entrepreneur in France

France is famous for its sometimes onerous administration system, but for the past 15 years, there has been ongoing work and changes to systems to make it easier to run your own business. For a start there’s been an expansion of choice of passports and work visas available to foreigners. And the government has been investing to make administration a lot simpler for the nation’s small businesses, artists, artisans and freelancers. Among the most popular changes has been the introduction of a reporting system for solo entrepreneurs making it far, far easier to run your own business in France. You need a work visa in order to qualify and if you do have that, here is how to take advantage of France’s freelancing-friendly rules.

Are you a micro-entreprise?

The new status of micro-entreprise (in English, “micro-business”) was begun in 2009, originally named auto-entrepreneur. The idea was to provide an inexpensive and much streamlined process for reporting income without the hassle and cost of registering a formal business structure. This concept works well for a whole host of freelancers, artists, authors, artisans and people trying to earn a little extra income. You can use the micro-entreprise régime as long as you work alone. If you have employees or business partners, then you will need to create a formal business structure. And your annual turnover should not exceed the  threshold which is currently set at €77,000 if you are providing professional services and €188,700 if you are selling goods [2023].

What does it mean in practice?

The micro-entreprise régime is based on business turnover. Put simply, it means the amount of sales or service income you receive before you deduct any costs or expenses of the business. And that is significant because one of the most important components of the micro-entreprise régime is that you will not need to do any traditional bookkeeping. The law requires only that you keep a copy of your business receipts and a record of all the invoices and payments made by your clients in case you are ever audited.

From the amount of your reported turnover, the tax office will take an automatic 34%, 50% or 71% off the to. The figure depends on the type of business activity. They will then calculate for you the taxes and social charges based only on the rest. Thankfully for those of us from the U.S., the micro-entreprise is also exempt from the TVA (value-added tax) system.

Registration for small business and freelancers in France has also been simplified – at least theoretically. Beginning on January 1, 2023, the government site for registering business trademarks, INPI, became the guichet unique (“single portal”). Despite a rocky launch, the site now seems to be functioning.

It allows you to do every type of filing related to your business activity – starting with the first registration – from one spot. The portal automatically passes on your necessary information to an assortment of French government agencies that handle different aspects of economic life in the country. All of this means that once you create your account at INPI and register your business activity, you should have just one place to keep everything going.

What you should know

When you get started, you have option on how your estimated taxes are paid, including whether you want social charges and income taxes to be paid at a flat rate.

Taxes are all paid online. And you will be invited to use something called a PEIRL form to list all the equipment and resources you use in your business activities. Thanks to recent changes, this simple form creates a separation between your business activity and personal resources to give you some legal liability protection.

Is the micro-entreprise régime right for you?

Not surprisingly, the auto-entrepreneur business status has been resoundingly popular in France. According to François Hurel, Président of the union of auto-entrepreneurs, France sees a whopping 3,500 new micro-entrepreneur businesses registered every day. And to date there are about 3 million auto-entrepreneurs in total. Of these, some 30% are commercial or artisanal businesses. The rest are in the French category of “professions libérales,” a catch-all for everything from lawyers to translators and wellness coaches.

French business law still offers a variety of formal business structures that might work better for you, and if you anticipate having higher turnover, need to take on employees, have business partners or plan to grow the business, you need to consider other options.

If you’d like help setting up your accounts and taxes in France and with taking care of reporting and tax requirements in the US, Sanderling Expat Advisors can help: sanderlingexpat.com

The post Freelance in France as a US expat appeared first on The Good Life France.

We’re often asked about the opportunities for self-employed people in France, especially for foreigners and expats. In this article, we explore the role of being a self-employed agent for Leggett Immobilier International, a renowned family-run property agency founded by expat Trevor Leggett in 1998. With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional client service to both sellers and buyers, they have expanded their presence across France, boasting over 700 agents, all of whom, operate as self-employed professionals. We talked to Katherine Massard, a dedicated agent who has been part of the Leggett Immobilier team since the beginning of 2023.

Can you tell us what brought you to France?

I grew up in the southeast of England and embarked on my French adventure in 1999 as part of an Erasmus exchange program between the University of Hertfordshire and the Université Jean Monnet in Saint-Étienne, situated not far from Lyon. During my six-month stay, fate intervened when I fell in love with a handsome French soldier. Twenty-four years and three children later, I’m still here!

I currently reside near Saintes in Charente-Maritime, although I’ve lived in various places, including Bourges, Chambéry, and Mende (Lozère). We first settled in this region in 2004 after the birth of my second daughter, and despite subsequent moves, we always held a dream of returning to the picturesque west coast. When an opportunity arose to come back to the region, we seized it, and this time, we’re here to stay!

This region offers us the allure of sunshine and sandy beaches, without the scorching heat often associated with southern France.

Before joining Leggett as an agent, I worked as an English teacher for several years. My original aspiration, when I pursued my degree many years ago, was to work in journalism or become a writer. With the evolution of publishing since my graduation, this dream became a reality in 2018. Under the pen names Katherine E Hunt and Katy Hunter, I have published eighteen romance novels.

What’s it like working as a property agent for Leggett Immobillier

The training at Leggett Immobilier is truly exceptional. It is offered in both French and English, featuring extensive online modules that you can complete at your own pace, followed by a couple of days at the headquarters where you meet the team and reinforce your online learning.

The support is outstanding. Everyone is incredibly friendly and always eager to assist with any questions you may have. The team is proficient in both French and English, making it an ideal environment for English speakers residing in France, especially when tackling complex issues.

To succeed as an agent, being a people person is vital. This involves understanding your client’s needs and helping them achieve their goals, all with a friendly demeanor. Sometimes, you need to guide people toward their objectives, as buyers may not always have a clear idea of what they want or where they want to live. Utilising your knowledge of the area and attentive listening are key skills (while also acknowledging that the perfect house doesn’t always exist!). Organisation, effective communication, and strong teamwork are also essential because you can’t do this job alone!

It’s a team effort!

I am part of a team of four, comprising my coach, Julie, and my two colleagues, Louise and Katarina. We support one another whenever assistance is needed, and we enthusiastically raise a glass of Chardonnay to celebrate a successful sale! Additionally, I am part of a broader regional team that regularly convenes for training and mutual support. You’re never short of someone to provide guidance when you’re stuck or offer congratulations when you’ve had a great day.

I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people through my work. For instance, I have recently been working with a fellow novelist, who is selling a magnificent château in Charente-Maritime. This allows me to do my job while indulging in discussions about writing, so it’s a win-win!

I also appreciate the flexibility of this job, which grants me the time to write and care for my son, who suffers from a neurological disability, all while earning a living (since, unfortunately, writing alone doesn’t always pay the bills – unless you’re Lee Childs!).

Here’s a video about working for Leggett Immobillier

Visit the Recruitment Page of the Leggett Website: Leggett Immobilier Website

Request an online recruitment brochure using the QR code or link below: Request Brochure / QR Code

Or contact them directly: recruitment@leggett.fr / 00.33.553.60.82.77

The post Work in France | self-employed property agent appeared first on The Good Life France.

Nicola and Tim loved the Cotswold Eco wood-fired hot tub they bought for their French holiday home in 2018 so much it soon became a huge part of their new life in Limousin in 2020. It became clear that their guests and the new friends they made in France loved their hot tub as much as they did. And people started to ask how they could get one too. The couple looked into importing Cotswold Eco Tubs to France. Before they knew it, orders came in, and Nicola and Tim formed their new business Hot Tubs in France – selling and installing Cotswold wood-fired hot tubs – and now wood-fired saunas too.

Hot tub heaven

Like the couple, most of their customers love that their hot tub – le jacuzzi in French – is a true pleasure but also be as eco-friendly as possible, as well as economical to run. With minimal electricity needed – for the lights and bubbles only, the water is completely heated by wood. They heat up much quicker than electric hot tubs do “if friends turn up unexpectedly and you fancy a dip, just light the fire and you’ll be able to hop in by the time you’ve finished your first drink!” And with the water being recyclable (the new alternatives to chlorine have made this possible), Cotswold hot tubs are amongst the most sustainable and eco-friendly hot tub options on the market.

5 Star customer service

Nicola and Tim are very hands on with customer service. They’re happy to give advice about which hot tub is the best option for you. And they offer a range of hot tubs suitable for two to ten in a variety of colours and finishes. Some of them are unique to Hot Tubs in France, like the Moreton Hydro 10-seater which, says Tim “is one of the most luxurious hot tubs on the market. If there’s a more luxurious one, it will have to be really special – and it’s going to be way more expensive.”

Tim and Nicola are also very happy to discuss location, access, and installation to ensure that potential buyers are delighted with every stage of their hot tub journey. It’s for this reason that they don’t just take an order online but take orders by email or phone. This is so that they can check that everything will run smoothly from start to finish.

Personal delivery

They’ve delivered all over France. Up mountains, along narrow country lanes, over the top of hedges and to remote villages as well as to busy city locations. Every delivery and installation is unique and sometimes lifting equipment and extra hands-on deck are required. And at the end of the installation, they will demonstrate how to operate and maintain the hot tub. Everything is taken care of, and you’re guaranteed years of pleasure.

Wonderful wood-fired saunas

In 2023 Nicola and Tim added Cotswold wood-fired saunas to their range. And these are not just any old saunas. They’re beautifully designed and come in two shapes – check that, one of which looks like a hobbit house. Made from a mixture of light-coloured hard woods, they are suitable for up to 6 people. They’re economical to run, with electricity only required for the lights and guaranteed to last for many years.

Home spa in France

A hot tub and sauna in the garden – your own home spa, what could be better?! They are great for year-round use too. If you want to use them in winter, Nicola and Tim will advise how best to maintain them in extremes of cold. Both hot tub and sauna are easy to clean and maintain.

They are also a super option for gites, B&Bs, glamping and campsites, plus hotel owners wanting to offer their guests a special and stand out experience.

If you’re in the Limousin area, they welcome you to check out the demonstration hot tubs that are on site. Or you can contact them via their website: hottubsinfrance.com

The post How to create your own home spa in France appeared first on The Good Life France.

When it comes to applying for a French visa, it can be a stressful time. And unless you’re a citizen of an EU country – you will need a visa to stay longer than 90 days out of 180, or to live in France on a permanent or long time basis. We’ve received several emails from people who apply for a visa and are told no (and you don’t get told why). And more emails from people asking for help. They’re unsure which of the many types of visa to apply for. Not sure they have the right paperwork, insurance etc. And we get it, it can be very confusing, and very nerve-racking while you wait for an answer.

We asked the experts at French Connections HCB (FCHCB) what people can do to help themselves when they apply for a French visa. Over the past three years, FCHCB have successfully applied for more than 1200 French resident permits (carte de séjour) for English-speaking clients from all over the world. They advise that to help with successful application, it helps to show that you are going above and beyond to embrace the French life. Here are their top tips:

Applying for a Visa for a permanent move to France

First, we always say that you should try to put yourself in the shoes of the local Prefectures whose job it is to deliver residency permits. Getting a visa isn’t just a tick box thing. The local administrators are inundated with applications from citizens of America, Great Britain, Australia and Canada and other countries around the world. So help them – and you help yourself. That’s why we created our Moving To France package. It’s based on our experience and knowledge (being French ourselves) of how the system works.

When it comes to a residency application – there are three basic requirements when it comes to French admin.

1. They are looking for reassurance that you have sufficient funds to cover yourself. In real terms, this amounts to a minimum income of 1384 euros per month, per person, after tax. That is based on the SMIC (Salaire Minimum de Croissance) – the minimum wage in France (2023).

2. They need proof that you have somewhere safe to live – whether it’s a permanent home or rental. If you’re in the process of buying, an ‘acte de vente‘ – a document that shows you are in the process of buying will be accepted. And if you’re renting, a French rental contract is required.

Insurance is critical

3. Evidence of private medical insurance. If you’re British and in receipt of a state pension, you can come to France with an S1 form and that will enable you to apply without private medical insurance. But you should consider if that’s the best move. An S1 effectively signs you out of the NHS and there is no easy way back. If you’re in any way not 100% certain that you wish to remain in France, it’s good to keep the NHS option open at least while you ‘test drive’ your new home. If you don’t have the correct private medical insurance – you’re pretty much guaranteeing a fail in your visa application.

So, back to that point where we said help the local prefecture by making their job easier. Consider what might make you stand out. Provide more than you need for your application to be accepted. In our Moving To France package we define 9 different stages along your journey to becoming French. Each one of them is designed to reassure the administration that you are going above and beyond in your intent to become a French citizen.

The stages of applying for a visa

When it comes to applying for a French long term visa, these are some of the most important stages and how we take away some of the pain and make your start of a new life in France less of a worry:

1. Your long stay visitor visa. FCHCB can help you gather the required documents (proof of address, photos, etc) and check their validity. We can submit the application on your behalf, book an appointment for you at the visa centre and follow up with the authorities. And we’ll monitor and ‘hand hold’ until your visa is successfully delivered.

2. Visa validation. Once you arrive in France, it is mandatory to validate your visa to make it official. We will complete this procedure for you, including processing the visa validation fee payable to the French authorities.

Healthcare and tax

3. Carte Vitale. This is what gives you access to the state healthcare system. You can’t apply for it until you have been in France for at least three months – hence the need for private medical insurance (point 3 above). We will take care of all the arrangements and create your online healthcare account.

4. Tax code creation. We’ll get you set up in the system, help you gather the correct documents, check their validity and submit your application online. If for any reason you aren’t eligible for a tax code, we will refund this part of the quote.

5.  Tax return. Proving your income by submitting your first French tax declaration goes a long way in helping you to secure a visa renewal. We partner with one of the most trusted accountancy firms in France to make sure it is done quickly, affordably and efficiently.

Cars

6. Driving licence exchange application. Once you arrive in France, you have 12 months to exchange your driving licence for a French one. We will help you assemble valid documentation, recommend a translator (it’s part of the application that your documents are translated into French) and submit the application for a French licence. The process takes a long time to complete as long as 18 months is not unusual though you are permitted to drive once you submit the application. We will monitor its progress and keep you informed.

We can also help you buy a vehicle in France. It can be really challenging to do this in a different language so we offer a service to help you search and negotiate. We work with a network of trusted agents right across France. Plus we have partnerships with all the main car manufacturers, so we can guarantee to get you the best deal on your new car. We can even organise to have it delivered to you. And we can help you with insurance through our trusted partner Fab French Insurance, for a highly competitive quote.

If you prefer to bring your own car to France, we also offer an import and vehicle registration service.

Residency

7. Residency application or renewal of carte de séjour (the residency permit). We assist you in preparing all the relevant documents, check their validity and submit your application. We’ll also provide over-the-phone translation assistance if you are required to deposit your file in person at the prefecture. And we can prep you for your obligatory face-to-face appointment.

First Six months in France help

Once you move to France, you might decide you’d like a bit more help. Things like admin tasks, letters to your bank, making appointments on your behalf, over the phone translation assistance, writing letters in French for you etc. We offer a 6-month VIP package which means you can contact us to help with all your moving to France tasks.

Of course, everybody’s circumstances are different. If you would like to talk to us about what’s best for you, you can book a 30 minute initial online consultation with us here.  The consultation costs 90 euros but this is deducted from the first service that you book with us.

Find out more about French Connections HCB and the packages they offer here: frenchconnectionshcb.com

The post Top tips for applying for a visa for France appeared first on The Good Life France.

The currency market moves about from day to day, sometimes up, sometimes down. But when you’re looking at paying the deposit on your dream house in France or needing to send funds to pay bills or for things like building work – the last thing you need is more stress and uncertainty, or shelling out more in costs. And that’s where a trustworthy foreign exchange money transfer company can really help you.

What are foreign currency money transfers all about?

Most of us don’t know the ins and outs of foreign exchange, but we do know that our bank usually charges commission or doesn’t pass on the best exchange rate available. Many of us don’t look for a different way to get a better rate because it might seem too much bother. But actually, nothing could be further from the truth. The whole system of foreign exchange has moved on leaps and bounds in recent years and makes it easy for clients to take advantage of the best market rates experts can provide.

Currencies Direct for instance, make setting up an account on line easy and quick. They have staff at the end of the line you can talk to – not just a chat bot. They’re happy to give advice. They have no hidden fees, zero transaction costs and secure the best exchange rate on your behalf. And they have an e-license which means they can securely hold funds with zero risk to clients. They have a level 1 credit rating (the highest you can get). 25 branches worldwide. Trade in 40 currencies and make up to 600,000 payments per year. They were also the first money transfer provider in Europe and have been around for decades.

Importantly, they can make payments that arrive in minutes – not days later. As anyone who’s ever needed to transfer money abroad knows, waiting for a payment to come through can be the sort of stress you just don’t need.

Currency exchange tips for French home buyers

When it comes to buying a property overseas there’s plenty of paperwork to complete and lots to consider. But one thing that you can save time, stress and money on is the transfer of funds. Not just for the deposit, but any mortgage payments and ongoing costs such as electricity and phone bills.

Transferring funds via currency exchange experts like Currencies Direct can save you a fair bit of money. They’re at the end of the phone to help with any questions and to give advice, and not just about money. Whether you’re at the stage where you’re considering which region is best for you, what your budget is, or ready to pay the deposit or balance – they’ll be happy to offer advice on your best options when it come to currency questions.

How does setting up a foreign exchange account work

First register for free – simply complete a quick and easy online form. Let Currencies Direct know what currency you need and where you want to send it and they’ll come straight back with a live rate. You confirm, they will book the payment and you send the funds to their segregated account and they will make the payment same day on all major currencies. Simple. Secure. Stress free.

You can also instruct to be notified when the market rate reaches a level that suits you, and then make your transfer. Make a one off payment or set up regular payments such as a mortgage. If your bank charges say £25 per transfer and you’re paying a mortgage 12 months a year, that’s £300 you could spend on something much more fun. And you’re probably not getting the best rate either. It doesn’t matter if you’re sending a large sum or small money transfer – why waste it when you can save money.

Currencies Direct help you manage your transfers and payments online with ease and securely.

The Good Life France uses Currencies Direct who specialise in overseas property purchases. Registration is easy and secure, plus there are no added fees. They save their customers thousands of pounds with their advantageous rates of exchange and guidance. You can speak to one of their experts over email or phone. Find out more about currency transfers here: currenciesdirect.com

The post Currencies Direct – currency transfers that save you money appeared first on The Good Life France.

Planning to live and work in France? Janine Marsh, shares some top tips for how to work as a micro-entrepreneur in France…

When it comes to moving to France, some people retire. Some people continue to work for the same company they did back home – but from France. Fast internet for home working is available in much of France (but if you do rely on this, check the area you’re buying in first – some places still have slow Broadband. Some people work for themselves and set up businesses.

If you want to earn an income in France then one of the most popular ways is to go freelance, and registering as a micro-entrepreneur is one of the most popular ways to do that. Basically it means you are the founder of a micro business, generally a small company with minimal investment. You’re restricted as to how much your business may turnover before needing to register as something else other than micro entrepreneur (currently [2023] it is between €77,700 and €188,700 per year, depending on what type of business it is). And certain types of business are excluded from becoming micro-entrepreneurs, for instance some finance companies, health professionals and accountants.

The benefits of setting up as micro entrepreneur include that dealing with administration, paying taxes and accounting are all deliberately kept simple. And there are jobs which give you flexibility, career progression and a good income.

Becoming a micro entrepreneur

We chat to micro entrepreneur Sophie Green, who is based in the Dordogne. Sophie works for Leggett Immobillier as a sales agent in Dordogne as well as in neighbouring department Haute-Vienne.

How did you come to be living in France?

I lived in Northamptonshire in the UK, trained as a Legal Executive and as a Financial Advisor and Mortgage Advisor working within Solicitor practices. When I became pregnant with our first son Louis in 2008, my husband had an idea to open a sandwich shop in our village so instead of going back to work fulltime for someone else, I could be my own boss. I have to say, I have never worked so hard in my life. Then three years later I became pregnant with our second son, Freddie, and the thought of getting up at 5am to butter sandwiches lost its allure!

We bought a caravan and decided to go on holiday to France. We fell in love with France from the minute we got here and immediately started house hunting. Just before this, my lovely mum had passed away. She had lived in the same village as us and life didn’t feel the same without her. We didn’t know exactly where we wanted to live and spent holidays travelling around Brittany and Dordogne. When we stayed in a very small rural campsite in Dordogne, we both knew this was it, our dream area. We found our house and moved to France in July 2013. My eldest was just about to start school in the UK so it was perfect timing for a move. He went straight into the local school in our village.

How did you become a micro-entrepreneur in France

I was too young to retire, and I wanted a new challenge. In addition to our house, we bought some lakes nearby, run as GoGreen Holidays, and I looked after the rental of the onsite Cabin and Gypsy caravan. But I needed more from a job, I wanted to learn more French, to get out and meet people and explore the area.

I have a love for property, and I love looking around houses. Working as an agent for Leggett Immobillier International seemed a perfect fit.

Leggett offered everything I needed and was flexible, so I could work around looking after the lakes and the children – by then we had another child, Francesca.

What’s it like working as an agent for Leggett Immobillier in France?

Leggett have exceeded my expectations. I joined them in 2018, after meeting with an Area Coordinator and chatting through the role which helped me to decide whether it was right for me. Then I completed a training course at Head Office which is in Dordogne. I really like that you get the benefits of working for a family-run business so you’re not just another number, but it’s also an award-winning, international company so there’s a massive multi-lingual support network available to all agents.

There’s a fantastic Sales Support Team who help organise all my visits. The Marketing Team do a great job promoting all the properties I list for sale. And the IT team have developed a fantastic back-office system to make life easier to manage the admin. There is also a terrific Legal and Contracts team to help with all the admin requirements and we are regularly updated with changes in laws. We have access to a lot of online training which is great and saves time with not having to travel. Plus, we’re assigned admin support. My fabulous assistant Zoe who is a fountain of knowledge, works in the Contracts Team and does all my Compromis de vente work (sales documentation), and helps me manage all my sales.

As an agent, it’s essential to be organised and flexible. You need to be able to manage not only your own time but also that of your vendor’s and clients.

What’s it like being self-employed?

I run everything as a stand-alone business. I set up as a micro entrepreneur and it is quite a simple regime. Cotistations (French National Insurance) are paid monthly, based on what I have earned. And I pay tax in one go at the end of the financial year.

Because it’s a simple way to set up a business I get to spend more time on what I love doing! Going out and finding new properties, exploring them and seeing what is hidden behind the front door! I also love meeting new people and getting out and about in the area.

It’s been a really successful business for me. In fact my husband is just in the process of becoming a Leggett Agent so that he can help with viewings when I get really busy.

There’s also scope for career progression in this job. Actually I have become a Coach and have my own small team now. I love helping new agents and supporting them in running their own successful small business in France.

It never occurred never to me to do this job when I first came to France, but it’s changed my life. I earn a good income, I love what I do. And, I can manage how much I want to do. It’s flexible and there is potential to go further in the role if I want to.

Leggett Immobillier are recruiting agents in all areas: frenchestateagents.com/recruitment

If you’re interested, find out more and contact them at.

Recruitment@leggett.fr

The post How to work as a micro-entrepreneur in France appeared first on The Good Life France.

Yearning for a bacon sarnie with brown sauce, good old fashioned plump bangers at a barbecue, tangy cheddar and crispy crackers, a great cup of tea? It’s not always easy to get your hands on great British food products from shops in France. But online – it’s easy.

Meat, dairy and dried goods

Bacon by the Box stock a great range of meat and dairy products. And they deliver all over France using Chronopost’s refrigerated service, so you know that when it arrives, everything is going to be fresh and ready to put into the fridge or freezer (everything is fresh from Ireland…).

Not only that, they also have a superb range of dry goods from teabags to Bisto gravy, Paxo stuffing, your favourite biscuits, mushy peas and heaps more.

And it’s not just the British in France who are loving what they do. Plenty of French people are discovering a taste for quintessential British goods. From tea and custard creams to Marmite and marmalade! Not to mention baked beans and Tunnocks Tea Cakes, and a whole raft of delicious things.

And then there’s the dairy. If you’re a lover of double cream or clotted cream, you’ll know that it can be really difficult (impossible in most areas) to get your hands on some. But Bacon by the Box delivers them fresh (cream can be frozen). Extra mature cheese – check. Cheddars of all sorts – check (and perfect with French baguette!). Chutneys, pies and even haggis, as well as of course, great sausages, bacon, and a great range of meat products.

No added costs

There are no customs charges. This is important because as many expats in France have found since Brexit, customs charges are being applied to many goods and products delivered from the UK. Bacon by the Box are based in the lovely area of County Waterford, Southern Ireland – so customs charges don’t apply. Even better, when you order goods for the minimum ordering amount of  €150,  you don’t even pay postage. And you can earn points on what you buy to use to discount the cost on your next order. And theres no minimum spend required.

The best British food shop online for deliveries to France (and Europe)

In the last few years, Bacon by the Box, previously based in Normandy, has expanded the range of goods substantially. They only supply products from companies they’re happy to endorse. They take the time to ensure that what they offer is the best, and take their reputation for providing superb British and Irish goods very seriously.

If you’re craving a taste of British and Irish food – John, Shane and the team would be delighted to help you satisfy your cravings!

Browse their range of great British and Irish food online and place your orders at: baconbythebox.com

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If you’re an American living in France, working or retired, you need to know how your expat status affects your participation in the U.S. social security program, as well as your taxes for social security income. We ask the experts at Sanderling Expat Advisors to explain how it all works for Americans in France – whether working or not.

France and the U.S. have come to an agreement concerning how you pay tax on your pension. They have signed a Totalization Agreement that prevents employers or workers from paying into both country’s mandatory retirement systems at the same time. Plus, in some circumstances, you can add credits earned in one system to those earned in the other system for the purposes of receiving social security or pension benefits on retirement.

Key points re Social Security for Americans in France

Retiring to France from the US

If you earned social security benefits in the U.S. and are already retired, you will get your social security benefits just as you would have in the U.S. As a French resident, you will pay French taxes on most income. However, there is an exemption for certain retirement and pension programs – this includes your social security income. So, you will be reporting social security income to both governments. But it is taxable in the U.S.

While social security benefits follow you outside of the U.S., Medicare program benefits generally do not. Expats considering a return to the U.S. should file to declare their eligibility, thereby reserving the premium rate. Your health care in France should be covered through the healthcare system available to all.

Working in France for a US employer

If your U.S. employer has sent you to France for 5 years or less or you work for the U.S. government – you remain a U.S. worker for social security purposes. Your employer will forward the payroll taxes deducted from your paycheck to the U.S. Social Security Administration (or Federal employee program). All of those taxes will be credited to your benefit earnings record in the U.S.

Working in France for a non-US employer

In the situation where you were hired in France, or have a non-U.S. employer, you are a French worker for benefit purposes. Your paycheck will be deducted for French cotisations and credited to your record in France.

Self-employed in France

If you normally  work in the US and you are working in France for 2 years or less, you will continue to be treated as a U.S. worker. This is the case for both social security taxes and benefits.

Worked in the US and France and now retiring in France

Let’s say you worked in the U.S., continued to work as an expat, and plan to retire in France. This is where things get really exciting. While the French pension system is not designed to make you wealthy, it can be a better deal than the U.S. social security system. Under current rules, if you work at least one year in the French system, your U.S. credits can later be credited to your French “account.”

When you do retire in France, the French government will calculate your benefit level based on French credits alone, compare that number to a prorated benefit based on U.S. and French credits, and pay you the larger amount.

If you would like advice on managing your finances in France as a US citizen, Sanderling Expat Advisors can help, contact them at: sanderlingexpat.com

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For Americans who are expats in France (or anywhere), tax reporting requirements are something you don’t leave behind when you move to a new country. U.S filing requirements go with you – wherever you go. And not just that, there are additional tax reporting requirements known as FATCA and FBAR. We asked Douglas Soons and Amy Witherbee, the experts at Sanderling Expat Advisors who specialise in helping Americans in France to deal with their finance and taxation requirements to explain more…

What is the FATCA

FATCA means Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. To summarise it’s an IRS requirement that you give notice of any financial assets you hold outside of the U.S. You’ll need to complete a form Form 8938 and submit it when you file your regular income tax return. This only applies to individuals, and you must file if you are living abroad and all of your foreign-held assets combined total more than $200k on the last day of the tax year OR more than $300k at any time during the year. If you’re filing jointly as a married couple that amount changes $400k and $600k. It also affects those living in the US with assets abroad.

What is the FBAR

FBAR means Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Yes, at first glance it can seem similar to the FATCA – but it’s not. This one is about money laundering, or rather the prevention of money laundering. And, even if you don’t meet the asset thresholds for the FBAR, you might be required to file an FBAR. Unlike the FBAR, you don’t file it with your tax return but file through a different system – BSA-E Filing system. Technically it must be filed by April, but the government gives everyone an automatic extension to October 15th. Once that is done, you file your U.S. returns, taking a credit for your French taxes by taking advantage of the other IRS automatic extension, this one for U.S. expats filing their regular U.S. returns.

If you’re already reporting everything on a FATCA consolidated reporting, you do not need to file an FBAR notice, too. If you’re not filing through the FACTA notice, and you had more than $10k at any time during the year combined across foreign accounts (including PayPal), or your listed as a signatory on someone else’s account, you need to file an FBAR. This applies not just to individuals but to corporations etc.

You’ll need to deal with foreign exchange rates, file on time, and keep on top of those filing requirements in order to avoid issues.

French tax for US expats in France

We haven’t even mentioned filing your French tax returns yet – but yes, that needs to be done too. Even if you receive income from the US – for instance fees, dividends, that too needs to be reported – in France. You won’t pay tax on all of it as the US and France have a double taxation treaty in place, and in fact you may even find that there are ways to mitigate tax.

If you’d like guidance and help with any aspect of finance and tax as Americans in France, whether filing for American taxes, French taxes, or both – feel free to get in touch with Sanderling Expat Advisors at: sanderlingexpat.com

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