Insider Paris Guide for
Living in France
Written and Regularly Updated by Jean Taquet
France may seem familiar, but nearly everything — from paying taxes to having a baby — is done quite differently. Get the practical answers to nearly 300 questions about making a life in France.
Table of Contents
| INTRODUCTION | |
| How to use this guide | p. 10 |
| I. MOVING TO FRANCE: WORKING, RESIDENCY AND BUSINESS | |
| A. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES | |
| Notarizing a Signature | p. 11 |
| Notifying the Proper Authorities | p. 11 |
| Notarizing a Signature #2 | p. 12 |
| B. WORKING RIGHTS, PAPERS AND RELEVANT ISSUES | |
| Obtaining Working Papers | p. 12 |
| Working Papers: The Company's or the Employer's Responsibility? | p. 13 |
| Student Working Rights: Changing Status from Student to Teacher | p. 13 |
| Student Working Rights: Dispense Temporaire | p. 14 |
| Student Visa Expires But I Want to Stay | p. 15 |
| Work/Holiday Visa to Expire with Old CDD and Potential Employer Wants Papers: What Are My Options ? | p. 15 |
| Obtaining a Carte de Commerçant | p. 17 |
| Unemployment Benefits | p. 17 |
| Declining a Transfer Post: What Are My Unemployment Benefits? | p. 17 |
| Unemployment Benefits after Voluntarily Resigning: CDI versus CDD | p. 18 |
| The Right to Severance Pay with the Termination of a Contract | p. 19 |
| Protection as an Illegal Immigrant: Unjust Contract Termination | p. 20 |
| Salary From the UK for Work in France | p. 21 |
| Tourist Status | p. 21 |
| Airport Hassle with One Way Ticket to France | p. 22 |
| Working in Both France and the United States | p. 23 |
| Changing Jobs in France/Dependency on Yearly Contract Renewal | p. 24 |
| What Role does the "Fondé de Pouvoir" Play? | p. 25 |
| Can My Carte de Séjour Carry Over to the Next Job? | p. 25 |
| Salary Concerns: The Cost of Living in France | p. 26 |
| American Working in UK: Regulations for a Transfer to France | p. 26 |
| Working Rights: For Fiancé Following Her French-Employed Partner | p. 27 |
| Work Visa Application Pending: Can I Still Work in France While Waiting? | p. 27 |
| How Do I Become an Official Baby-Sitter | p. 28 |
| What is the "Loi No. 78-17?" | p. 28 |
| American Businessman Hiring Another American: Is it Possible? | p. 28 |
| Can I Work While Receiving "Allocation Parentale d'Education?" | p. 29 |
| Salary in Lieu of Vacation Days | p. 29 |
| Taking an Abusive Employer to the Labor Court | p. 30 |
| Waiters/Waitresses and Their Rights to Tips | p. 30 |
| Restaurant Tickets | p. 31 |
| Temp Agencies: Legal Working Hours and Lunch Breaks | p. 31 |
| American Corporation Sold to French Company: Settlement Problems for Resigning Employees | p. 32 |
| Understanding the French CPE Legislation | p. 32 |
| C. RESIDENCY PERMITS, CARTES DE SÉJOURS AND CITIZENSHIP | |
| Overstaying Your Welcome and What to Do About It | p. 34 |
| EU Citizenship: Obtaining the 10-Year Residency Permit | p. 35 |
| Consequences of Failure to Renew Your Carte de Séjour | p. 35 |
| Obtaining EU Status: Declaring Spanish Nationality | p. 36 |
| Can I Have Dual Residency? | p. 37 |
| Five Year Residency Requirement | p. 37 |
| EU (German) Residency Status Via Marriage: Recognized in France? | p. 38 |
| American Green Card Holders: Loss and Replacement Issues | p. 38 |
| US/French Citizen With American Wife: How Do We Establish Permanent Residence? | p. 39 |
| Obtaining the Carte de Résident | p. 39 |
| Bi-national Cohabitation as Relates to Carte de Séjours | p. 40 |
| Getting the 10-Year Residency Card via Student Status | p. 41 |
| Carte de Séjours: Getting One for Moroccan Mother-in-Law | p. 42 |
| What to Do When Proof of Domicile is Denied by Landlord: Case of a French-Born Citizen Who Did Not Grow Up In France and Her Filipino Husband | p. 43 |
| Marriage Between Two Expats: Student Status Plus Salaried Status Equals? | p. 43 |
| Born in France But Adopted in a Foreign Country: What To Do? | p. 44 |
| Maintaining French Residence if Work Takes You Elsewhere | p. 44 |
| Visiteur Artiste Status: Working and Residency Issues | p. 45 |
| British/Russian Homosexual Couple and the PACS Law: How it Affects Residency Permits | p. 45 |
| Obtaining a "Certificat d'herbergement" for a Nanny | p. 46 |
| Renewing a "Carte de Séjour Salarié" as an Expatriate | p. 47 |
| Renewing a Carte de Séjour and the PACS Requirement | p. 48 |
| French Residency and Work Visa for a Nanny | p. 49 |
| D. STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS | |
| A Faith-Based Business is a Different Matter | p. 51 |
| Starting a Company: Starting a S.A.R.L. | p. 51 |
| Small US Corporation Doing Business in France: How do I Set it Up Legally? | p. 52 |
| A Frenchman's Dream: How to Start a Business in the US | p. 52 |
| Corporation Headquarters in a Private Apartment? | p. 53 |
| Customer Service in Your Business: Why Won't French Professionals Call Me Back? | p. 53 |
| Starting a Business in the UK or France: EURL and Association Statuses | p. 54 |
| The D.B.A. (Doing Business As) Status in France | p. 55 |
| Do You Need a Professional Bank Account for Your Business? | p. 56 |
| E. SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND RELATED BUSINESS CONCERNS | |
| The Reasons Behind the Things Required to Form an Association | p. 57 |
| Is Working as a Chiropractor Illegal in France? | p. 58 |
| Where to Get Information About Responsibilities of Travailleur Indépendant | p. 58 |
| Changing Status: Choosing the Right Option | p. 59 |
| Billing for Services Via US Company: Case of Successful Consultant Wary of French Social Charges | p. 60 |
| From Subcontractor to Employee: Impact on Tax Liability and Residency Status | p. 61 |
| Self-Employment: "Promesse d'Embauche" Via a Romantic Partner? | p. 62 |
| Legal in France Doing Odd Jobs | p. 63 |
| Social Charges Stopped During Leave of Absence: Case of Self-Employer | p. 63 |
| Declaration of Income: Freelancing Case | p. 64 |
| Non-Profit Association vs. Self-Employment Status | p. 64 |
| Why and How Does a French Company Have to Pay for Independent Services | p. 65 |
| Freelancers Collecting Owed Money | p. 66 |
| Claiming Unpaid Fees: For Self-Employers | p. 66 |
| Self-Employment: A British Journalist's Situation | p. 67 |
| Self-Employment: A Dual Citizen (US/Swiss) Psychiatrist's Situation | p. 67 |
| II. HOUSING: OWNING, RENTING, BUYING AND SELLING | |
| A. RENTING | |
| The Mysterious Leak and Who's to Blame? | p. 69 |
| Three Months Notice to Move Out of Rented Apartment | p. 70 |
| Renter Notice of Eviction due to Impending Sale of Rental Property | p. 70 |
| Buyer's Remorse and Landlord/Tenant Relations | p. 71 |
| Water Damage Responsibility | p. 72 |
| Water Damage: Responsibility When Source of Leak is Unknown | p. 72 |
| Unsafe Electrical System: Repair Responsibility | p. 73 |
| Rental Deposit: One-Year Down Payment? | p. 73 |
| Tenant/Landlord Concerns: L'Etat des Lieux, Lapse in Payment of Rent, and Landlord Honesty | p. 73 |
| Renter's Protection: Increases in Common Charges | p. 75 |
| Landlord Visits Concerning a Tenant's Departure | p. 75 |
| Legally Held to a Signed Contract | p. 76 |
| Discord With Agency: Promised a Concierge and He/She is Not There | p. 76 |
| The Landlord's Right to Withhold a Deposit | p. 77 |
| Rights When Exchanging Apartments | p. 77 |
| Right to Sublet Apartment | p. 78 |
| Absence from Homeowner's Association Meeting | p. 78 |
| Sewage Problem | p. 79 |
| The Right to Withhold a Deposit #2: Can I Refuse to Pay Last Months Rent? | p. 80 |
| Right to Continue the Lease After Giving Departure Notice | p. 80 |
| Right to Withhold a Deposit #3 and Charge Exorbitant Extras | p. 81 |
| Burglary Leads to Agency Problems: Advocacy Group to Protect Tenants' Rights? | p. 82 |
| Homeless in Your Building's Hallway | p. 82 |
| Rent Increases: What are the Limits? | p. 83 |
| Handling a Water Leak in a Rented Apartment | p. 84 |
| B. OWNING: BUYING AND SELLING | |
| Legal Responsibility after Signing an Estimate for Work | p. 87 |
| Surprise in Final Bill from Notaire | p. 87 |
| Interpreter Fees for Notaires | p. 88 |
| Notaire Refuses to Sign Presale Contract: Uncertainty over Corridor Ownership | p. 89 |
| Renovation Work | p. 90 |
| Loans for Property Purchase: An Unclear Agency-Bank-Costumer Relation | p. 90 |
| Surveys of Property Prior to Purchase | p. 91 |
| Selling An Apartment: Reinvestment and Capital Gains Tax Issues | p. 91 |
| Partial Cash Payment to Purchase Apartment? | p. 92 |
| Estate Disputes: Buying a House Not on the Market | p. 92 |
| Buying a House: Signing at the Seller's "Notaire" | p. 92 |
| Children Owning Property in France | p. 93 |
| Selling: Real Estate Agent Exclusivity | p. 94 |
| Noisy Neighbor Sabotages Property | p. 94 |
| Capital Gains Taxes Incurred on Sale of an Apartment | p. 95 |
| Bill from the Syndic After Buying an Apartment | p. 95 |
| Renting Out Your Apartment: Evicting a Tenant | p. 95 |
| Ownership of Real-Estate: Who Decides What? | p. 96 |
| Dissatisfied With Quality of Workmanship | p. 96 |
| A Ground Level Shop Illegally Using Water from Building | p. 97 |
| The Right to Expel a Tenant | p. 97 |
| Right of the Tenant to Purchase the Property | p. 98 |
| Sound-Proofing: Tenants' Rights to Rent, Sell and/or Fix the Problem | p. 98 |
| Property Taxes in France | p. 99 |
| Real-Estate Partners Disagree | p. 101 |
| Fair Market Price for Property | p. 101 |
| Getting Out of a Home Presale Contract | p. 102 |
| Outstanding Loan on the Windows of a Recently Purchased Apartment | p. 103 |
| House Damage Due to Unstable Ground - Who is Responsible? | p. 104 |
| C. MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Real-Estate Agencies in France | p. 106 |
| Noisy Neighbors | p. 107 |
| Noisy Neighbors #2: Right to Privacy and Quiet | p. 107 |
| Noisy Neighbors # 3: Living Next to a Chinese "Sweatshop" | p. 108 |
| Noisy Neighbors # 4: Questionable Accusations of Being a Noisy Neighbor | p. 108 |
| Noisy Neighbors #5: Neighbors are Displeased by Renting to Guests | p. 109 |
| Pets in an Apartment | p. 110 |
| A Smooth Move | p. 111 |
| Insurance Claim After Robbery | p. 111 |
| Chimneys: What is a "Sweeping Certificate?" | p. 111 |
| What is the Role of the Concierge? | p. 112 |
| Common Space: Rights of the Syndicat Regarding Bicycles in the Courtyard | p. 112 |
| Safety Checks by City Inspectors | p. 113 |
| Promised a Concierge #2: Indemnity From the Agency? | p. 113 |
| Using Illegal Workers for Home Improvements | p. 114 |
| Legal Risk of Providing an Illegal Alien with an Affidavit of Lodging | p. 115 |
| Seasonal Rental Insurance for Short Term Holiday Rental? | p. 116 |
| Water Leak After a Renovation - Legal Implications | p. 116 |
| III. FINANCES: BANKING, TAXES, GOVERNMENT AID, AND RETIREMENT | |
| A. BANKING | |
| Opening a Bank Account: Why Were We Denied Services? | p. 118 |
| Banking Transactions: Value Dates | p. 118 |
| When Bank Accounts are in the Negative | p. 119 |
| Banking Concerns: What is an SICAV? | p. 119 |
| Bank Locations Differ | p. 119 |
| Disputing a Credit Card Charge | p. 120 |
| Bank Error and a Lost Check: What Can I do? | p. 121 |
| Credit Card Theft: The "Avis à Victime": Fraud Victim Asks for Damages | p. 121 |
| Trust Funds: As Relates to French-American Citizenship | p. 122 |
| B. TAXES | |
| Self-Employed in U.S. Compatible with French Employee Status | p. 122 |
| Double Declaration of Taxes | p. 123 |
| Schedule of Payment as Relates to Loss of Employment | p. 123 |
| Declaring French Income Tax in Canada | p. 124 |
| Hiding Income from the Tax Authorities | p. 124 |
| Taxable After Retirement | p. 124 |
| Tax Breaks for Unmarried Couples Living Together | p. 125 |
| Television Taxes: The "Trésor Public Service Redevance de l'Audiovisuel" | p. 125 |
| Failure to Pay Television Taxes: What are the Consequences? | p. 125 |
| Paying French and US Taxes | p. 126 |
| Cost of Taxe d'Habitation | p. 126 |
| "Taxe d'Habitation" and Primary vs. Secondary Residencies | p. 127 |
| Why am I Being Taxed on the Sale of My House? | p. 127 |
| Taxe Professionelle | p. 128 |
| C. GOVERNMENT AID | |
| Subsidized Housing for Foreigners? | p. 129 |
| "Caisse d'Allocations Familiales" (C.A.F.) | p. 129 |
| Government Assistance to Low Income Families | p. 129 |
| D. RETIREMENT ISSUES: PENSION FUNDS, SOCIAL SECURITY, ETC. | |
| Retired and Receiving Pension: How Do I Pay French Taxes? | p. 130 |
| Losing Pension Funds | p. 131 |
| When Husband Dies: How do I Take Care of Finances - Pensions and Social Security? | p. 132 |
| Retirement Benefit Accruals | p. 132 |
| Social Security Eligibility Period | p. 133 |
| E. MISCELLANEOUS | |
| The Rights of Someone Under Legal Adult Guardianship | p. 134 |
| IV. MARRIAGE AND/OR COHABITATION: UNION, DIVORCE, AND SEPARATION | |
| An Ecuadorian National, Marrying a Frenchman Living in the U. S., Planning to Live in France- Can We Make it Work? | p. 135 |
| Changing Prenuptial Agreement: "Communautaire" or "Séparation des Biens?" | p. 137 |
| Prenuptials/Property Separation Option: Making Sure Wife is Never Responsible for Husband's Debt | p. 138 |
| Prenuptial Agreements | p. 138 |
| Are There Legal Differences Between Marriage in US and Marriage in France? | p. 139 |
| Can Two Americans Get Married Under French Law? | p. 139 |
| The Woman's Rights in Marriage: Estate and Purchasing Property Issues | p. 140 |
| Carte de Séjour Renewal: Why Does My Husband's Name Have to Replace Mine? | p. 141 |
| Changing Maiden name on US Passport | p. 141 |
| B. DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ISSUES | |
| Who Has Control of the French Bank Account? | p. 142 |
| American Leaves French Wife in US for Another Woman | p. 142 |
| Spouse Asking For Immigration While Administration is Unaware of Divorce of First Marriage | p. 143 |
| Husband Disappears Leaving Behind Debt: What To Do? | p. 144 |
| Do French Judges Tolerate The Husband's Infidelity?: Choice Between French/American Divorce Procedure | p. 144 |
| Do French Judges Discriminate against American Partners in Divorces Conducted within France? | p. 145 |
| He Left Me With The Bills: French-American Marriage Registered in New York | p. 147 |
| French Husband Moves in With Pregnant Mistress: Legal Grounds Moved | p. 147 |
| Foreign Spouse Facing Deportation After a Divorce | p. 148 |
| Divorce Problems: As Applies to Prenuptial "Séparation des Biens" | p. 149 |
| Married to Abusive, Well-Connected, French Womanizer: What Can I Do? | p. 149 |
| Bi-National Marriage, Divorce, French Children: Can I Claim French Nationality? | p. 150 |
| Obtaining a French Passport After French-Foreigner Marriages Fail? | p. 150 |
| Obtaining a Working Permit When Married to a French Citizen, But Separated | p. 151 |
| Citizenship After a Divorce | p. 152 |
| V. FAMILY ESTATE ISSUES: DEATH, WILLS, AND INHERITANCE | |
| "Concubinage" (Living Together) or Marriage? How It Affects Inheritances | p. 153 |
| When French Husband Dies: Do I Own Any of His Estate? | p. 154 |
| Owning Paris Apartment: Inheritance Issues for American Couple: What is a SCI? | p. 154 |
| Purchasing an Apartment from an Estate | p. 155 |
| Paying French Mother-in-Law's Debts After her Death | p. 156 |
| Securing a Will: Making Sure Property Goes to Husband Then Son | p. 156 |
| "Certificat de Concubinage": How it Relates to Death and Succession of Properties | p. 157 |
| Father's Estate: Preferential Treatment Between Children of Different Mothers | p. 157 |
| Americans Retired in Paris: French Inheritance Duties on Real-Estate | p. 157 |
| Leaving an Inheritance to Someone Out of the Line of Succession | p. 158 |
| Leaving an Inheritance to Someone Out of the Line of Succession #2 | p. 158 |
| Disinheriting a Child Living Abroad? | p. 159 |
| American Couple in US With Paris Apartment: Minimizing Estate Taxes | p. 160 |
| French Inheritance Laws and Taxes: Children Get More Than Concubines | p. 160 |
| Inheritance Laws for French-American Couples: "Tontines" and Property Purchases? | p. 161 |
| Wills: American Leaving Property to Family Back in the US | p. 162 |
| "Donation Entre Epoux": Who Inherits the House? | p. 162 |
| No "en tontine" Clause in Deed: If Divorce Occurs, Does Child from a Previous Marriage Inherit a Share of the Property? | p. 163 |
| Father Would Like to be Buried in France | p. 164 |
| VI. CHILDREN | |
| A. EDUCATION | |
| Parental Responsibility Does Not End at the School Door | p. 164 |
| "Dérogation" for Primary School | p. 165 |
| Bills for Public Schooling | p. 166 |
| Acceptance of Only Toilet-Trained Children In Preschool? | p. 166 |
| B. NATIONALITY CONCERNS | |
| A Cultural Right For Naming Children in France | p. 167 |
| Obtaining French Citizenship for Children Born in France from Expat Parents | p. 167 |
| Americans in Paris: Will Our Expected Child Be French? Are We French? | p. 168 |
| French-American Couple: Child's Dual Nationality | p. 168 |
| American-Irish Couple in France: What is the Baby's Nationality? | p. 168 |
| Dual (Russian/US) Citizen Gives Birth in France: What is Baby's Nationality? | p. 169 |
| C. IN CASES OF DIVORCE/SEPARATION | |
| Who Gets Custody of Dual-Nationality Children? | p. 170 |
| Custody Concerns | p. 170 |
| Child Visitation Rights | p. 171 |
| Alimony Payment for Children Born Out Of Wedlock | p. 172 |
| D. IN CASES OF PARENTS DEATH | |
| If French-American Parents Die: Can Family in US Take Care of the Children? | p. 172 |
| Setting Up Legal Guardianship Outside of France | p. 173 |
| Setting Up Legal Guardianship Outside of France #2 | p. 174 |
| E. MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Getting A French University Degree And Finding Work After | p. 175 |
| Your Teenager in France: Age Limits to Drinking and Sexual Activity? | p. 176 |
| Child Restraining Car Seat Requirement (In Taxis) | p. 176 |
| International Child Abduction | p. 177 |
| France on Abortion | p. 178 |
| VII. HEALTH | |
| Being a Chiropractor in France | p. 178 |
| Can I Receive Treatment When Residing In France Illegally? | p. 179 |
| The Right to Stay for Severe Medical Reasons | p. 179 |
| Medical Expenses: How am I Covered? How am I Reimbursed? | p. 180 |
| Dentist Misinforms About Insurance Coverage | p. 181 |
| Emergency Room Expenses: Billing Procedure for Foreigners | p. 182 |
| Medical Care Reimbursement: Changing Sécurité Sociale Branches | p. 182 |
| Pharmacy Hours (In Emergency Cases) | p. 183 |
| Health Insurance for an Ex-Spouse, Mid-Divorce | p. 183 |
| Medical Insurance Coverage: Will My Son be Covered as a Student Abroad? | p. 183 |
| Medical Coverage in France: No Expiry Date? | p. 184 |
| What is a "Carte VITALE" and Who is Eligible? | p. 185 |
| Paying for an Emergency Medical Procedure | p. 186 |
| VIII. DRIVING IN FRANCE | |
| Do I Really Have to Take the Test, Again? | p. 187 |
| Role of Auto Schools in Registering for the Driving Test | p. 189 |
| Drivers' Licenses | p. 190 |
| Damaged French Drivers' Licenses: How to Replace | p. 190 |
| Transferring a Canadian Driver License to a French Driver License | p. 191 |
| Traffic Violation and Appeal | p. 191 |
| Car Accident Forms | p. 192 |
| French Driver's License | p. 192 |
| Keeping My French Car: Is Left-Side Driving Legal in the UK? | p. 192 |
| Driving License for EU Member | p. 193 |
| IX. DEALING WITH THE POLICE | |
| Security Deposit Con Man: How Do I Get My Money Back? | p. 193 |
| Compensation for Victim of Unprovoked Violence | p. 194 |
| Complaint Letter to Police Station | p. 194 |
| A US Citizen on Probation in France: What Are the Consequences? | p. 195 |
| Photography/Filming Regulations: Is it Forbidden to Photograph the Police? | p. 195 |
| X. CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND RECREATION | |
| A. CONSUMER AFFAIRS | |
| Buying a Train Ticket | p. 196 |
| Gas Masks to Avoid Cigarette Smoke | p. 196 |
| Rights as a Non-Smoker | p. 197 |
| American Credit Cards in French Shops | p. 197 |
| Christmas-Time Solicitors: What is this French Custom? | p. 198 |
| Returning Faulty Electronic Merchandise | p. 198 |
| Change of Mind After Making a Big Purchase | p. 199 |
| Wednesday Sirens: What Are They? | p. 199 |
| Customer Satisfaction: The Differences You'll Find in France | p. 200 |
| Denied access to Documents on Obscure French Composer: Who Owns the Copyrights? | p. 200 |
| Grève Grief: Transportation Strikes | p. 201 |
| B. RECREATION | |
| How to Exercise in Paris | p. 202 |
| Fire Arms in France: Gun-Shooting Clubs | p. 203 |
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INSIDER PARIS GUIDE FOR • Nearly 300 questions and answers  List Price: $49.95 Buy 2 or more guides and get an additional 15% off your entire purchase. |
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"Even if people have a good command of the French language, when moving to France it is often the cultural, political, legal and bureaucratic matters that cause the greatest difficulty." Living in France is as difficult as it is romantic. Just as anywhere else in the world, life is filled with the practical issues we must confront from day to day. Work has to be secured, papers registered, an apartment or house needs to be bought or rented. Jean Taquet is a French jurist and associate member of the Delaware Bar Association, specializes in civil, criminal and commercial law. He frequently gives courses about the legal system in France and speaks regularly at conferences on subjects of working, living and investing in France. This Insider Paris Guide presents nearly 300 questions and answers—real-life stories from individuals living in France who have confronted practical situations that will inevitably resemble those you might face. These questions and answers give you a wealth of experiential information on which you can build your French life. Taquet's Qs & As offer a practical know-how you will find invaluable. |
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Author Jean Taquet