Registering as a resident

[Rosie]

Hello again and thanks for your assistance so far.
As France will be our new home we are trying
To find out where and when we should register as
New residents and what paperwork we need.
We are both dual citizens of UK and Australia.
France is where we hope to spend most of our time.
We own a small property in montmorillon
and also want to register to pay tax there, although
we won't really have much income to declare.
This then crosses over to the health system
and how long it takes us to be apart of the
French system, we think it's five years.
Also suggestions on health insurance.
I guess you have all been through this minefield
and apologise for our boring questions
Thanks Rosie and Huw

[Fred]

Hello again and thanks for your assistance so far.
As France will be our new home we are trying
To find out where and when we should register as
New residents and what paperwork we need.
We are both dual citizens of UK and Australia.
France is where we hope to spend most of our time.
We own a small property in montmorillon
and also want to register to pay tax there, although
we won't really have much income to declare.
This then crosses over to the health system
and how long it takes us to be apart of the
French system, we think it's five years.
Also suggestions on health insurance.
I guess you have all been through this minefield
and apologise for our boring questions
Thanks Rosie and Huw

Mmmmm It's been a while for us, and we just muddled our way through it. But I will have a go and hopefully someone else will have more info.

#1 Be prepared for lot's of paperwork, get yourself some folders to keep everything in.
#2 Also be prepared for even more paperwork, and you will never have all the relevant information on you. They will find something missing.
#3 You will mostly be asked for proof of ID so always take your passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate (if relevant) and though you won't have them immediately I have found it's sometimes handy to have a utility bill phone, electric, water, etc.
#4 I would suggest starting with a visit to your local Mayor, and tell them the property you have purchased. They are a great source of information.
#5 Tax: Go to Hotel Des Impots 7 Avenue D L'Europe Montmorillon 86500. Go into reception and tell them you want to register. Tip if your French is basic ask to see someone who speaks English they do have some who are willing to try, and you may have to make an appointment but they are helpful.
#6 Health System: The health system though excellent can be a bit of a mine field to start with. This has changed since we came here so I would suggest a visit to CPAM 12 Rue Nouvelle Montmorillon 86500 I don't think they are open every day. Or you could try this phone number if it still works which is an English speaking help line: 0820 904212 I don't know about insurance but I would talk to CPAM first, and if/when you decide on Insurance make sure you shop around. You mention you won't have much income, if you register as seeking employment there is extra help available for health cover but that's another story. Also some long term illnesses are covered by 100%

You can continue to live here as long as you keep your British passport up to date without having to register as a French citizen.

Hope that helps a bit, and if anyone else wakes up Around Montmorillon and spots this maybe they can add more.

Oh and did I mention "Be Prepared For Lots Of Paperwork"

[Admiral]

#6 Health System: The health system though excellent can be a bit of a mine field to start with.

You can continue to live here as long as you keep your British passport up to date without having to register as a French citizen.

Nicely understated about the health system - or trying to get into it. The health care here is excellent and much faster than the UK.

Why not look at applying for the European Health Insurance Card? This could be vital in the early days. Heaven forbid that you need to attend hospital for any reason, but if you do this card will smooth the path of beaurocratic nit-picking and cover some of the cost of your treatment. It won't work visiting the GP, dentist or private health care.

But, as my learned friend so wisely put it, you don't have to register as a French citizen as long as you keep your British passport up to date.

As he also said; be prepared for paperwork and more paperwork down to the point CPAM might well ask for an authenticated French language version of your birth certificates. It's up to you to find an official translator and pay for the privilege.

Private health insurance - or top-up - is an absolute minefield with a lot of folk arguing it's wasted money because the insurers query everything.

There is an English language newspaper in France that is promising to publish an in-depth look into French health care in their December issue. connexionfrance.com. Good luck with that...

Now - about registering a car in France. Sorry brain already hurts. Another time maybe.

Bonne chance.

[Rosie]

Thanks Admiral and Fred for all that info!
Sorry it's taken a while to get back on to
The forum but thanks to Fred seems to
be ok now!
Running a guest house in Vietnam does not
leave us much time for research so we appreciate
all your tips!
Best wishes Rosie

[Fred]

Thanks Admiral and Fred for all that info!
Sorry it's taken a while to get back on to
The forum but thanks to Fred seems to
be ok now!
Running a guest house in Vietnam does not
leave us much time for research so we appreciate
all your tips!
Best wishes Rosie

Hello Rosie glad we managed to get you back on-line.

As for the info I'm sure I speak for Admiral too when I say you are welcome. There are other English speaking people in the Montmorillon area who could probably give you more info, we have 39 members registered here, however as you can see most of them are asleep.

But I can assure you it's not just Me & Admiral that live in this great part of France. Is It Everyone .................................... Zzzzzzzzzzzz .............................. Told you

[the marleys]

Hi Rosie. We have lived here since June and are in the middle of all this ourselves. I thought we were doing fine with providing paperwork etc but have just found out that it will all be returned to us as we haven't provided approved translations of all documents into french. Apparently the authorities will just keep asking for paperwork so everything is present before looking at your file and then they send it all back to you for translation. We have been doing this for three months so far. Congratulations on moving to the area, It's a wonderful place to live and Good luck with the paperwork

[Rosie]

Dear Marleys
Thanks so much for this information! We have
already had conflicting info about wether to
register as a resident or not. Montmorillon will be
our home although we will come and go abit.
We arrive in a couple of weeks to start a small
renovation on our little place and very excited
to explore the area and meet new friends.
Glad to hear your enjoying life in France
au revoir
Rosie and Huw

[the marleys]

Not at all, We too have a renovation project but we are quite isolated. Not sure of pros and cons of registering but with us it is necessary for medical cover and school paperwork for the children. I was completely unprepared for the French paperwork. Best advice is to have a folder with birth certificates, last year/s proof of income etc. They will want everything. Good luck with the move. Sheridan x

[Rosie]

Thanks Sheridan The first few weeks
We will be busy with the builder and getting
basics sorted but as things settle down it
will be lovely to get more involved in some
local groups and hear people's journeys.
We have three months initially in Montmorillon then
we have to return to our guest house in Vietnam
to do a hand over and then we will be back
permanently later in August. Our children
are all in their late twenties so just us to
sort out!

Rosie and Huw

[the marleys]

Hi Rosie, Just wanted to wish you all the best with the move. Hope it's as stress free as possible and that the builders noise is fleeting Bon chance, Sheridan