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Fully qualified tree surgery business

 

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Covering departments 24, 87 and 19.

 

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PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

 

Attractive rural property in friendly hamlet, 12 minutes from all amenities, 45 minutes from airport, Limoges.

 

Click HERE for more info

 

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Click HERE for more info

 

www.frenchpropertyagency.com

Quality French properties in all regions of France.

Learn to Fly with Sue VirrLEARN TO FLY IN FRANCE!

Flying lessons in the Limousin

 

www.nearlyheaven.com/

 

click here for Holiday Cottages

and

click here for Hungarian Vizslas dogs

Lee Homewood

All your property needs under one roof!

 

Plastering, general building and property maintenance

Covering areas south Haute Vienne and north Dordogne

 

Click HERE for more info

www.woodengatesfrance.com

Specialists in all joinery & Carpentry including our new joinery manufacturing facilities

Renovations & Barn conversions

 

House alterations & extensions - Free Quotations

 

THISTLE JOINERY WEB SITE

Also available a rental or holiday letting service

 

'Did you know?'

 

If you have learnt by experience and feel people might like to know, send us the INFO and we can share it with others.

 

Click on the links to go directly to the subject of interest!

 

Accidents        Affections Longue Duree (ALD's)         Auto-entrepreneur  for small businesses

 

Banks      Buying and selling a car in France

 

Carte Europeene d'Assurance Maladie         Cheques - how to write a French one       Cheques French        Claiming Tax Credits        Couverture Maladie Universelle Complémentaire (CMU)

 

Documents       Driving       Driving Licence

 

Education       Electricity/EDF        Emergency telephone numbers        Entry to France as a new resident        European Health Insurance Card EHIC

 

Finance      

 

Health      Holidays    

 

Insurance       Internet    

  

Marketing calls on the telephone - unwanted?       Medication and Medical Problems    

 

Oil Prices

 

Passports     

 

Siret Numbers check       Social Security        SOS Help (Linked to Samaritans)     Sterling payment for property      Swimming Pools      

 

Tax       Tax Fonciere        Tax d'Habitation       Telephone           Tips about houses       Top Up/Mutuelle assistance (CMU)

 

Vaccinations

 

Winter Fuel Allowance         Working in France

 

 

French Fixed Public Holidays

 

1 January - New Year 1 May - Labour day  8 May - Victory day 
14 July - Bastille day 15 August - Assumption of Virgin Mary 1 November - All Saints day
11 November - Armistice day 25 December - Christmas Day

 

Tips about houses

 

If you can get a survey done on the property you are thinking of buying, DO IT!


Notaires sell houses, their commission could be cheaper.

 

Land is always measured in square meters. 4000 sq mtrs is approx. 1 acre

 

Distance in kilometers - to convert quickly to miles multiply by ·6 ie 10k=6m 

 

Certificate of Urbanism ( outline planning) is only valid for 1 year.


Boilers - see this link http://www.french-property.com/news/build_renovation_france/heating_boiler_france/

 

Planning permission will be needed to turn a barn into a house and not all barns are suitable, check that out before you buy.

 

Chimneys  need to be officially cleaned once a year to meet insurance requirements. To clean your chimney yourself you can buy a 'bûche de ramonage' which comes with an assurance certificate.

See this link here too http://www.french-property.com/news/build_renovation_france/chimneys_flue_pipes/

 

Painting the outside of your house is not always straightforward, some communes have strict rules about colour schemes, check with your Marie.

 

Selling your property in France? read your rights and obligations outlined here by one of our link partners http://www.french-property.com/news/french_property/sell_property_france/

 

Tax

 

If you live in France permanently and your home is your main residence you must register with your local tax office and receive a tax number, even if you have nil income. If you don't do this and then sell your house you will be subject to capital gains tax.

 

 

Tax issues when leaving the UK

 

When you leave the UK you should notify HM Revenue and Customs by completing form P85 (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/p85.pdf) and sending it to your UK tax office. This will enable HM Revenue and Customs to decide how you should be treated for UK tax purposes.

When submitting your first French tax return you should also complete form FD5 from the HM Revenue and Customs (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/CNR/france-individual.pdf) and send it to your local French tax office. The French tax office will then sign and send it to the UK to confirm that you are now paying tax in France. This form will enable you to avoid double taxation.

 

 


Tax d'Habitation and Tax Foncieres

 

 

Taxe d'Habitation and Taxe Foncieres
The Taxe d'Habitation and Taxe Foncieres are both local authority residence Taxes similar to the UK Council Tax which are paid annually though there is provision to pay monthly by RIB (direct...

And two useful links

Tax Fonciere

Tax d'Habitation


Claiming Tax Credits

 

See this link for advice on claiming tax credits in France - http://www.ecopower.eu.com/ecopower_018.htm

 

And this article here


 

Winter Fuel Allowance 2009

 

At this time 6 November 2009 there is no fuel allowance this year.


http://www.impots.gouv.fr/

 

 

 

Working in France

 

How to check a Siret Number!

 

French Siret Numbers, How to Check Them and Guide to Using Trades People
Notes about Siret Numbers French Siret numbers are made up of 14 digits, the first 9 digits comprise the Siren number. All legitimate trades & businesses must be registered with either...

 

 

Auto-entrepreneur - Good news for small businesses! 

 

Click here LINK St Yrieix - Auto Entrepreneur to read of a first hand experience in registering under this system

 

 

www.startbusinessinfrance.com Free expert advice on registering, setting up and starting a business in France

 

 

Auto-entrepreneur: Good news for small businesses!
Good news for the self-employed and those wishing to start a business in France as from the 1st of January 2009 France will be introducing major changes to the self-employment system. The...

 

 

Auto-entrepreneur rules to be tightened

 

 

The rules on obtaining ‘auto-entrepreneur’ business status are to be tightened - read more here http://www.french-property.com/news/french_business/autoentrepreneur_business/

 

 

 

Social Security

 

Social Security Rights in France

Wednesday 01 July 2009

New official guidance has been issued on the health and social security rights of expats from Europe living in France.

The guidance makes clear that ‘inactive’ expats do have a right to social security benefits, provided they are legally resident in France.

 

click the following link to read more - http://www.french-property.com/news/money_france/social_security_rights_france/

 

 

Entry to France as a new resident

 

This information has been taken from The Complete France Forum (16 September 2007 - with the moderators and forum members permission) and is high priority information to ALL new residents to France. Please click through to the forum for more information if you wish.

New regulations concerning the Right of Entry and Residence for EU Citizens intending to move to France.

There have been some important changes to the French immigration regulations that will effect all those intending to relocate to France in the future. The purpose of this note is to provide a brief overview of the situation as published on the Service-Public website.

The government is introducing a new obligatory registration system for EU citizens which is due to come into force soon. Under the new regulations, you will be obliged to register with your mairie within three months of arrival and obtain a residence certificate.

In order to obtain the certificate, you must comply with the code de l'entrée et du sejour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (articles L121-1, L 121-2 and L122-1 to L122-3) which sets out the following conditions:

  • You must be in possession of an current valid passport
  • You must not be considered to be a threat to public order,
  • You must provide evidence that you have sufficient resources so as not to become a burden on the French social security system and have made adequate provision for healthcare and maternity insurance.

In terms of the latter condition, the criteria for registration may be fulfilled as follows:

You are currently employed or have an offer of employment in France

You will be making obligatory contributions towards social security/pension/healthcare in the same way as any other French employee. You must produce evidence of employment in order to obtain your residence certificate.

You are not employed, but intending to start your own business in France

Provided you have registered the business within the three months and arranged the obligatory social security/pension/heathcare provisions applicable to your trade or profession, then you may obtain your residence certificate.

You are retired or you have not obtained employment or established a business in France

As a ‘non-actif’, you must provide evidence of resources (such as pension and/or investment income) at least to the level of RMI (currently 440,86€ per month for a single person without child), or if you are over 65, then at least to the level of the old person’s allowance (currently 621,27€ per month maximum for a single person).

The additional entry requirement for heathcare insurance will be satisfied if you hold a current valid E-form entitling you to affilliate to the state heathcare insurance system, otherwise you will have to purchase a private health insurance policy offering an approved level of cover. If you hold a temporary E106, then once it expires, your affiliation will also expire and you will have to obtain private insurance cover. Holders of the E121 automatically receive entitlement to state healthcare insurance cover for life, so they are not affected by this.

The new registration requirement will only apply to persons entering France once the decree setting out the modalities of the process has been published. After that, the right of stay will be dependent upon fulfilling these criteria and obtaining the necessary residence certificate.

The above procedure applies to EU citizens only. Non EU citizens are subject to other arrrangements.

 

Documents

 

Did you know that there are strict rules on how long certain documents should be kept? If you would like a list just e mail dordogneonline@gmail.com and a "word" document will be sent by return e mail, just mark your e mail DOCUMENTS

 

Driving

 

 

Buying and selling a car in France

 

 

Before you agree to buy a used car in France

 

Make sure that the series number stamped on the car matches that in the registration documents of the seller.

Make sure that the seller is the legally registered owner of the car by checking on the Carte Grise.

And/or make sure that the seller provides a certificat de situation, which includes a certificate of non-security (valid for one month) and a certificate of non-opposition (valid for two months) proving that the car may be sold.

 

To register the car you must provide:

 

Proof of your identity: passport, Carte de Séjour or French driving licence.

Proof of residence: a recent utility bill (EDF or France Télécom) or rental receipt, house deeds or home insurance documents, in your name and made out to your residential address.

A completed certificat d'immatriculation (Form Cerfa 10672), registration document is available from the Préfecture, Sous-Préfecture, Mairie or police.

A certificate de situation provided by the seller (see above).

A certificat de cession or certificate of transfer and sale from the previous owner. The date of sale should the same as that on the sellers car registration document.

The Carte Grise registration document of the previous owner, marked in indelible ink "Vendu le..." or "Cédé le..." with the date of the sale and signature of previous owner and dealers stamp if appropriate.

If the car is older than 4 years, a controle technique (CT) certificate, no older than 6 months, which is the proof of roadworthiness provided by the seller.

Money to pay the registration fee.

Tariffs for Carte Grise are based on the CV of the car.

Selling a Used Car

You must provide the buyer with:

 

Carte Grise barrée: this is your vehicle registration document, marked in indelible ink with the words "Vendue le..." and the date, or "Cédée le..." and the date, followed by your signature.

A certificat de situation, which includes a certificate of non-security (valid for one month) and a certificate of non-opposition (valid for two months). The form is available from the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture.

A certificat de vente document of sale. The form is available from the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture.

If the car is more than 4 years old, you must provide a controle technique (CT) certificate as proof of roadworthiness. It must be no more than 6 months old.

Within 15 days, you must send the duplicate of your certificat de vente to the Préfecture or Mairie of the place where your car was registered.

There is no administrative charge when selling a car.


Driving Licence

 

Drivers who take up residence in another EC/EEA country no longer have to exchange their driving licence, but may continue to drive using their own national licence for as long as is remains valid. You should however check with the appropriate driving licensing authorities where you will be residing for information on any conditions that the host member state may stipulate.

 

National licences may only carry an address from the country which issued that licence. The DVLA is therefore unable to re-issue your British licence with a foreign address. It is accepted that drivers who move to another part of the EC/EEA could be holding driving licences showing an incorrect address. This is permissible under the terms of the EC Directive on Driving Licences.

Further info www.direct.gov.uk

 

Using your UK Driving licence in France
Driving Licence - EU Fact Sheet Fundamental Principles Possible scenarios Presentation, categories and validity Issuing, withdraw and replacement Mutual recognition Exchanging...


Accidents - you should have a form in your car (available from your insurance company) and called in French "Constat Amiable d'accident Automobile". If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident this form MUST be completed in conjunction with the driver of the other car and each of you have a copy and then you MUST report to your insurance company as soon as possible. We have a bilingual copy of this form (in French and English) in PDF format. If you would like a copy please email dordogneonline@gmail.com and put ACCIDENT FORM in the subject box and we will be pleased to forward a copy to you.


U.K. police policy on foreign-registered vehicles

 

As most of us are aware, there are occasions when the British over-enthusiastically apply European Union laws, sometimes totally destroying the good intentions and good sense.

As long ago as 1982, the then EEC issued Directive 83/182, allowing vehicles registered in one European country to be driven for up to six months in a year, CONTINUOUS OR OTHERWISE, in another European country before Road Tax became due. This was intended to regularise and ease the movement of vehicles.

 

Read more here http://www.lost-in-france.com/french-news/letters/1152-driving-in-the-uk

 

 

Education

French School Grants for 2009/10

If you have children of school age in France, then you may be able to benefit from one or more school grants.

While all of these grants are means tested, the basic ‘Return to School’ grant (Allocation Rentrée Scolaire) has generous income thresholds.

There are also other specific grants for attendance at French secondary and upper secondary school, although they are not particularly generous.

As well as the main grants distributed on a national basis there are also local grants and loans that are distributed by the schools and by the local councils.

You can read more in a comprehensive Guide to French School Grants here

http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/public-services/school-education/grants/

 

 

 

 

Finance

French Social Charges and UK Pensions

Read more about this subject from our link partner - http://www.french-property.com/news/tax_france/social_charges_uk_pensions/

Oil Prices 2009

Here is the price today 4 December 2009

ALVEA
1,000 litres 0.664 ttc
1,500 litres 0.674ttc
2,000 litres 0.644ttc
 
FUEL 24
1,000 & 1,500 litres 0.645ttc
2,000 litres 0.635 ttc
 

Here is the price today 13 November 2009 for Fuel 24. 13/11/09 0.655ttc 1,000 & 2,000 0.645

 

Here is the price that I have been quoted for 3 November 2009 and today from Alvea St. Yrieix. TTC.

3 November 2009 1,000lts 0.684 2,000lts 0.654. Just called and price the same as last week.  If people can get a group together and make a total of 2,000lts + then they do get it a bit cheaper see 2,000lts price.

Hope this helps towards the search. best wishes Neil & Sue Spoonley

 

Banks

 

Banks are generally open from 9am to 5pm but they usually close at lunchtime. It is possible that Banks will be open on Saturday and be closed on Monday.

 

 

To open a bank account you will need, passports, usually 3 months bank statements and some uk utility bills with your address on. You do not have to have a French address to open a bank account. Lots of banks now have someone who speaks English. Banks in France charge for using your account so make sure you understand the charges.

 

Click here to go to our Links Page for French Banks

 

If you are looking into opening a French bank account, bear in mind that some banks have started English speaking telephone help lines for customers of their banks who are not French resident. You may also be able to access your account on line, so it is worth looking at different banks to see which one suits you. Click here to go to our Links Page for French Banks

 

How to write a French Cheque

 

http://www.euro-cheque.com/ - euro-cheque.com has been designed to make life a little easier for anyone having to write foreign cheques. At the moment we support four main languages. English, French, Spanish and German - we are hoping to add more languages at a later date.

 

How to write out a French cheque
Writing out a French cheque can be a bit daunting at first so here's how to fill one out. Writing out a French cheque is very similar to filling out a UK cheque, the main...

Paying for a property in sterling? did you know you can buy a French property and pay in sterling (£) click here to find out more £££££££

French Cheques

Wednesday 01 July 2009

There is no such thing as a bank guarantee card in France, as a cheque must be honoured.

Click this link to read more http://www.french-property.com:80/news/money_france/cheque_france/

 

 

 

Health

 

Emergency phone numbers

 

Police            17

 

Fire                18

 

Ambulance    15

 

International emergency number is 112  and see this link for useful info http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/ms/fr/index_en.htm


SOS Help - English language confidential listening linehttp://www.soshelpline.org/

SOS Help is a branch of France’s SOS Amitié Federation and is linked to the Samaritans.


European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

 

What are the rules and procedures on the use of the European Health Insurance card for visitors to France and expat residents in France?
 

With effect from May 2010, the French authorities will cease to issue the CEAM card to those with an E121, who should make application to the UK NHS Business Services Authority (or equivalent in other countries).

 

For the UK

 

Overseas Healthcare Team

The Pension Service

Room TC001 Tyneview Park

Whitley Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE98 1BA

00 44 191 218 1999

email overseas.healthcare@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk

www.direct.gov.uk


Top up/Mutuelle Assistance (CMU)

 

Most of us pay for a Top Up insurance policy here in France.

 

However if you are on a low income you can apply for CMU, which simply put is an application for your top up policy to be paid by the CPAM (social security). The limits of income on the form today (19-02-09) are 717.88 euro per month for a single person and 1076.82 per month for a couple. If your income is below these limits or within 20% more then you can apply for CMU if you meet the criteria.

 

The simple criteria are that you are stable in France for at least 3 months, you need to produce your passport, and proof that you live in France full time, tax returns perhaps, EDF bill, Tax d'habitation/fonciere bill, information on your current top up policy, your carte vitale and complete an application form which is available for download by clicking this link http://www.ameli.fr/fileadmin/user_upload/formulaires/S3715.pdf or you can email us for a copy at dordogneonline@gmail.com putting CMU in the subject box please.

 

Click this link to go to the relevant page for all information on this assistance (in French) http://www.ameli.fr/assures/soins-et-remboursements/c.m.u.-et-complementaires-sante/index.php or go along to your local CPAM for assistance.

 

We also understand that once you apply for this and receive your new attestation the CPAM contact EDF and you will then receive a form to apply for reduced electricity bills - see this link here http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/utilities/electricity/assistance-payment/

 

CMU is awarded for 12 months. Be aware that if you apply for and receive CMU it is up to you to apply for renewal at least 2 months before the renewal date.

 

If you currently have a top up and apply for this assistance DO NOT CANCEL your current insurance, wait until you receive the new attestation and then take that to your insurance company who will copy it and your payments should then cease. It may be wise to check the procedure with your insurance company.

 


Vaccinations in France

 

Having just obtained an "ordanance" here in France for our Tetanus vaccinations we are told by our chemist that there is no record card to be completed and we have lost our original ones so we have found one on line in pdf format and if you would like a copy please email dordogneonline@gmail.com for a copy and put VACCINATIONS in the subject box.

 


Affections Longue Duree (ALDs) - we have a list of these medical conditions in English. If you would like a copy please email dordogneonline@gmail.com with "ALD LIST" in the subject box and we will forward a copy to you.

Affections Longue Durée (ALDs) as presently defined by the French Government.  ALDs are medical conditions for which 100% re-imbursement is available through the French State Healthcare scheme.


French government's new decision on access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries (14/12/07)

This is a statement taken from the British Embassy France web site.

Following representations made to the French government, we can confirm that the French Health Ministry has modified its decision regarding access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries already residing in France.

According to the French Health Ministry's official revised statement and Q&A factsheet http://www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm the position is:

  • Inactive EU citizens already living in France and already registered and accessing healthcare via the CMU before 23 November 2007 will now be allowed to continue to do so.
  • After 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence" in France, an EU citizen qualifies as a permanent French resident and will therefore have access to healthcare via the CMU.
  • The position remains that all inactive EU citizens under retirement age living in France now or in future who are not entitled to healthcare reimbursement (through the E106 or E109 forms) or to access to the French health system will be required to have their own personal health insurance until they reach UK state pension age (and therefore qualify for entitlement to the E121 form), or until they qualify as a French resident (after 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence").
  • We have ensured that the French authorities are fully aware of the specific circumstances of E106 holders already resident in France who do not have existing access to CMU and who may not be able to secure private health insurance for various reasons when their E106 expires. Following discussions to highlight the need for urgent clarification in cases where the E106 is due to expire imminently, we have been told that people will have the safeguard of essential immediate healthcare provision. We are expecting a response in the next few days from the Health Ministry to give further detail for people in these circumstances.
  • As previously, people already over retirement age who are holders of an E121 which is registered with the French authorities will remain unaffected.

This information is based on what we have been told by the French authorities. We suggest people seek further information and advice on individual cases from one or more of the following:

French Social Security website: http://www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm

CPAM - The French Health Service (English language service): +33 8 20 90 42 12

CLEISS - (France's helpdesk for international mobility and social security):
11 rue de la tour des Dames
75436 Paris cedex 09
Tel: +33 1 45 26 33 41
www.cleiss.fr

DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline International Pension Centre
Room Tc001
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA

If you are phoning or sending a fax from outside the UK, dial the international code, then:
tel: 44 191 21 87777
fax: 44 191 21 83836

(Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm)
www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

or for press enquiries: Department of Health Press Office: +(44) 207 210 5221

 


Carte Europeene d'Assurance Maladie if you are a resident in France, have a carte vitale and travel to the UK or any other country for a holiday you must have this card. It is necessary to renew it every year. Apply at your local CPAM or you can apply on line if you create an on line account with your local cpam.

http://www.ameli.fr/

You need a card for each person travelling.


Medication and medical problems - whether you are just travelling France, renting, house hunting or coming to live for the first time carry with you details of any medical conditions you may have and a list of your medication, preferably prepared by a doctor in the UK. If your stay in France is extended for any reason and you are not carrying enough medication it would make it easier for a French doctor to prescribe for you.

 

 

Insurance

 

House Insurance must be in place before you finally sign for a property. Take a copy of the insurance/cover note with you to the Notaire on signing day.

Changing Insurance companies - you must give at least 2 months notice to change your insurance company.

 

 

Internet

 

www.pagesjaunes.fr  On-line directories in French

 

www.orange.fr  French internet service provider

 

http://www.eligibilite-adsl.com/ simple test to see if you are eligible for ADSL in your area

 

http://www.degrouptest.com/ simple test to see if you are eligible for ADSL in your area

 

http://offres.neuf.fr/ Neuf as ADSL/Telephone connection - an alternative to Orange

 

 

 

Passports

 

To renew an English Passport in France go to http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/

 

 

Electricity/EDF

 

EDF - Phone line and email address for English residents - 05 62 16 49 08 and the email is simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr

 

 

Telephone

 

Trying to Call an 0870 Number From France?

 

Trying to Call an 0870 Number From France?
Have you ever needed to phone a company or organisation in the UK only to discover that the only phone number you have or can find for them begins with 0800 or 0845 or similar number that...

 

 

Unwanted marketing calls?

 

Stop Those Unwanted Telemarketing Calls
You've moved to France and hoped that you'd heard the last of those unwanted calls offering to sell you this or that product that you don't want and most of all don't need. Think...

 

France Telecom Paris has opened an 0800 364 775 number (toll-free call) intended to cater for the needs of the English-speaking community all over France. This new service is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. For more info: www.francetelecom.com

 

Do send us anything you consider would be useful here!

 

Please mention this site when responding to advertisers, thank you.

If you are interested in advertising on this site please contact dordogneonline@gmail.com

Last updated: 22 July 2010

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