Brexit Guide for British Buyers

With the UK out of the European Union, retiring, working, studying and travelling to France has become more complicated, and the same applies to buying property.

To help you understand the main points post-Brexit and guide your buying journey in France, we’ve pulled together this guide based on your top FAQs.

Is it Easy to Move to France Post-Brexit?

In 2026, approximately 172,000 Britons reside in France, representing 3.9% of all non-EU residency permits. Although Britons remain among the largest foreign groups, the influx of new arrivals has decreased.

Firstly, if you were a resident in France before 1st January 2021, your French residency is protected for as long as you have your Residency card. Similarly, this protection extends to retirees already in the country. If you were living in France before 1st January 2021, you’ll receive your UK state pension. 

If you want to move to France now, it’s still possible. You can do this by living in the country on a long-stay visa or by applying for French Nationality. This remains the same as pre-Brexit, but the income requirement is now €1440 for a single person (approx. €2,900 for a couple), and you’ll also need to speak French to a certain level. 

If you’re a retiree living on your own resources, you can apply for a Titre de Séjour (residence permit) for retirees. This permit is valid for 10 years. 

As for visas in general, you only need to apply for a visa if you’re staying in the country for 90+ days but less than twelve months. So, short trips don’t require one, but if you’re in doubt, contact the French Embassy to get clarification.

Short Guide to Working & Living in France

As a French resident, you’ll need to pay tax on anything you earn, regardless of your nationality or residency status. It’s also worth checking the tax implications of any properties you own and use solely for income.

 If you don’t reside in France, you must deduct tax from that income, and local taxes in each area require some digging. If you have a specific tax query, send a message to our tax experts in London.

If you’re planning to study or work in France, you’ll need to apply for a different type of long-stay visa, the multi-year residency permit, under the self-employed category. This allows you to stay in the country for up to four years longer than the standard long-stay visa. If you’re working in the country but you’re not self-employed, you can apply for residency instead of the long-stay visa option. 

Business owners have additional considerations. You’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa under the self-employed category and verify the economic feasibility and business success of your venture.

Note: this includes businesses like B&Bs or renting properties, so research the region you’ll be setting up in and do your homework on estimates/projections, the same as you would at home.

How about Living and Retiring There

Although you can continue to receive your UK state pension while living in France, workplace pensions are a grey area. To avoid getting caught out, speak with your pension provider or financial adviser first.

You may be able to transfer private pensions into a qualifying, recognised overseas pension scheme within the EU tax-free, but it’s important to get sound financial advice before attempting that. And learn how to set up regular payments from the UK directly into your French bank account, at the frequency you require.

Healthcare is another thing to consider before you move. Similar to the UK, the French healthcare system is funded through taxes. In France, that funding comes from the state and patient contributions.

French National Insurance (known as la Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM)) usually repays your contributions, but as a new resident, you’ll have to pay them upfront. You’ll need separate medical insurance for dental and optical care.

From an admin point of view, filling out an S1 form will cover healthcare costs not included by the state, and you can apply from the UK as long as you’re already receiving a UK state pension.

Language Requirements for Living in France

France has introduced stricter language requirements for foreigners, mandating French tests for certain residency cards and raising the proficiency level for citizenship with the civic exam.

Non-EU citizens must now learn French for residency, while all foreigners must meet the new citizenship requirements. British citizens with specific residency cards are exempt from these changes.

New arrivals receive a visa and can apply for a short-term carte de séjour, which currently has no language requirements. To obtain a multi-year residency permit, individuals must demonstrate at least an A2 level of French.

For the 10-year carte de résident, the requirement has increased from A2 to B1, and for French citizenship, from B1 to B2 on the DELF scale (CEFR). These changes do not affect existing cardholders.

Final Thoughts for Buyers in France

Things are always subject to change due to processes and requirements from the French and UK governments, so our final advice is to check the latest Brexit updates and news, and contact the French Embassy before making big life decisions.

Ultimately, know that short stays under 90 days currently don’t require a visa, but you will need to comply with the new EU entry/exit system (EES), which came into force in Autumn 2025 and is gradually being implemented.

Anything beyond that depends on your situation, and you’ll need to check which visa or permit best suits your needs. But remember, the big upside is that once you have this in hand, you can look forward to enjoying your life in France. 

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