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Moving To France From The UK

Moving to France

If you are planning to move to France, whether you are moving to Paris, Lyon, or to southern France, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

Restrictions

Importing Personal Effects to France

If you are moving to France from the UK, as the UK has now left the EU, new rules apply to movement of goods between the UK and EU Countries. Please bear in mind that all shipments to the EU from the UK will now have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.

Restrictions

Prohibitions and Restrictions

In general it is in your interest not to import the following items:

  • Firearms & ammunition
  • Inflammable goods & substances
  • Plants & plant material
  • Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
  • Narcotics and dangerous goods
  • Offensive materials
  • Alcohol & Tobacco
Transit

Transit Times

Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.

Bar Coding

Bar Coding

All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Pets

Domestic Pets

Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures.

Find out more about pet transport.

Vehicles

Importing Motor Vehicles to France

Importation of motor vehicles to France will be subject to compliance, and it is probable that duty and tax will apply.

International currency exchange

International FX

When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency.

IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

IFX offers :

  • International payments
  • Regular Overseas Transfers
  • Prepaid Currency Card
  • Forward Contracts

More info on the IFX website.

Moving to France with Britannia

  • Your Move to France – Britannia has a network of removers who will assist you with moving to France. We can also provide computer tracking and bar coding to ensure a safe and reliable removal service. Your goods can be transported to France by land, or by air.
  • Packing & Delivery –  Our trained packers can pack and wrap all your items to ensure that they are transported safely. If you choose a full door to door service, Britannia will deliver the goods to your new home. We will then unpack your goods and furniture, and will remove all used packing materials from the site.
  • Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to France. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in our removal services to France, get a free removal quote, and read more about our European removals, and additional moving services, such as money transfer.

Living in France

Thousands of Britons move to France every year, and tens of thousands spend their holidays there. France is said to be the tourist hotspot of Europe, ranking even before Spain, and is an attractive country to relocate for the English. These figures are not at all surprising, if one thinks of the diverse and rich culture, varied landscape, the sunnier climate and even the sheer proximity of France to England.

France is situated in Western Europe, and is a major economic, cultural and military influence in Europe and the world. It is regarded as one of the most developed countries, with the fifth largest  economy in the world. The population enjoys a very high standard of living, one of the world’s highest life expectancies, an excellent health care system and high education levels. France can also boast an extremely rich culture – just think of the Louvre or the Loire Valley Castles -, and a variety of unique cities to move to.

Whether you are planning to move to one of the centres of continental Europe, Paris, the European capital of culture, fashion, and luxury, or move to a relaxed seaside resort with a sunny and warm climate, France is the perfect place to move. France’s diversity will surely satisfy you, whatever you are looking for, and you will definitely enjoy great food, and a varied and rich culture.

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • Toulouse
  • Lyon
  • Nantes
  • Rennes
  • Cannes
  • Marseille

Tips For Moving to and Living in France

  • For most EU citizens, a residence permit is not a legal requirement for work.
  • The official language of France is French, so try to learn some basic French or brush up on your knowledge before going there. No matter how little French you speak, if you make an effort, you will be welcomed and respected.
  • The French public health care system is one of the best in the world, so before paying for a private insurance, find out if you are entitled to health cover under the public system.
  • If you are taking your car to France, you must register it with the French authorities. You may have to modify your car to conform to French standards.
  • Living costs in France will depend on your chosen city. If you are moving to Paris, or the Riviera, costs can be higher than in the UK, while the north is relatively cheap.

Interesting Facts about France

  • Almost 20% of the territory of France lies outside Europe
  • French was the official language of England between the 11th and 15th centuries.
  • The Tour De France cycle race is approximately 2200 miles long.
  • France has won the most Nobel Prizes in literature of any country.
  • The ‘French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen’ from 1789 is the world’s first universal declaration applying to human rights.
  • The Louvre, home to the famous Mona Lisa, is the most visited art museum in the world.
  • At 343m Millau Viaduct in southern France is the world’s tallest bridge and France’s tallest structure.
  • The distress code “Mayday” comes from the French for “help me!”, “M’Aide!”
  • Louis XIX was King of France for just 20 minutes following the abdication of his father. He was then himself abdicated in favour of his nephew, the Duke of Bordeaux.
  • Wearing a white wedding dress is a French tradition, which began in 1499.
  • Lunchtime in France is usually two hours long, so food can be savoured, except for large cities, almost everything closes from noon until 2 pm when French restaurants are open for lunch.
  • The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year.
  • There are on average two new cookbooks produced every day in France.

French Public Holidays

There are a total of 13 public holidays in France each year, as shown below:

  • 1st January – New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An).
  • 9th April (2023) – Easter Sunday (Pâques).
  • 10th April (2023) – Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques).
  • 1st May – Labour Day (Fête du Travail)
  • 8th May  – VE Day – WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945).
  • 26th May (2023)- Ascension Day (Ascension catholique).
  • 28th May (2023) – Whit Sunday (Pentecôte).
  • 29th May (2023) – Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte).
  • 14th July  – Bastille Day (Fête nationale).
  • 15th August – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption).
  • 1st November – All Saints’ Day (Toussaint).
  • 11th November – Armistice Day (Armistice 1918).
  • 25th December- Christmas Day (Noël).

 

Further Reading

Key Information

french flag Moving To France From The UK
Time Zone:

CET (UTC+1) - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
Calling Code: 33
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If you’re looking to move to France get a quote from Britannia Movers International using our Quote Form or feel free to ask us any questions on our Contact Page

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