v256.0 · relocation checklist · GB → FR · verified 2026-04
United Kingdom to France — relocation checklist
15-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the UK retiree, remote worker, or family seeking Mediterranean/French lifestyle post-Brexit.
From
To
Total cost
GBP 6,000-20,000 — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
14-22 weeks pre-arrival, 6-10 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
UK retiree, remote worker, or family seeking Mediterranean/French lifestyle post-Brexit
Step-by-step checklist (15 steps)
Pre-departure (16-22 weeks out)
- Choose visa post-Brexit — Visa Long Séjour Visiteur (passive income), Passeport Talent (high-skilled), Student, Working Holiday (under 30)
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- France-Visas online application; TLScontact biometrics + appointment (London or Edinburgh)
Pre-departure (10-14 weeks out)
- UK ACRO Police Certificate (£55-90) + Apostille (£30); proof of resources (Visa Long Séjour requires â¬24,000/year minimum)
Pre-departure (8-12 weeks out)
- Travel + health insurance â¬30,000+ coverage for visa application
Pre-departure (6-10 weeks out)
- UK tax planning — SA109 (Non-resident); plan FIG window exit; SRT split-year treatment
Pre-departure (4-8 weeks out)
- Housing — SeLoger, LeBonCoin, PAP; Paris/Côte d'Azur expensive; provincial cities much cheaper
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship — Anglo-Pickfords, AGS Movers UKâFrance 7-14 days road, £2,000-6,000
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — UK pet passport invalid post-Brexit; AHC required per trip, vet visit £100-300
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- OFII appointment within 3 months — visa-validation form online
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Open French bank — N26, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — caution (1-3 months) + garant français often required; alternative: VISALE state guarantee scheme for under-30s
Arrival (Week 4-6)
- PUMa registration after 3 months residence
Arrival (Month 2-3)
- Mutuelle complementary health (EUR 30-100/month if not via employer)
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- UK SA106 + SA109; French Impôt sur le Revenu due May-June; UK-France DTAA reciprocal protections
Ongoing
- Carte de résident (10-year) after 5 years; French citizenship after 5 years
Cost breakdown
| Visa Long Séjour | EUR 99-260 |
| OFII tax stamp | EUR 200 |
| ACRO + Apostille | GBP 55-90 + GBP 30 |
| Travel insurance (1 year) | GBP 500-1,500 |
| First month rent + 1-3 month caution (Paris 1BR) | EUR 2,400-10,000 |
| Shipping (UKâFrance) | GBP 2,000-6,000 |
| Pet AHC + travel | GBP 300-1,500 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Post-Brexit — UK pet passports no longer valid; AHC required per trip
- Visa Long Séjour Visiteur prohibits any French employment
- UK FIG regime April 2025+ — 4-year clean break; plan timing
- SRT sufficiency to break UK tax residence
- France worldwide income taxation; UK-France DTAA covers
- PUMa requires 3 months residence before Sécu access
Official sources
- France-Visas — https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
- HMRC Non-residence — https://www.gov.uk/tax-foreign-income/non-resident
See also: United Kingdom profile · France profile · all relocation checklists · France healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.