Frequently Asked Questions

The Prefecture is the local government office responsible for immigration matters, including residence permits. If you're a non-EU citizen (or a UK citizen post-Brexit) planning to stay in France for more than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a carte de séjour at your local Prefecture.

For the French Riviera, the main Prefectures are located in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes department) and Grasse (sub-prefecture).

Processing times vary depending on your situation:

• Initial application: 2-4 months typically
• Renewal: 1-3 months
• UK citizens (post-Brexit): Can take longer due to high demand

During this time, you'll receive a récépissé that allows you to stay legally in France while your permit is being processed.

Since January 1, 2021, UK citizens are treated as non-EU nationals. This means:

• You need a visa for stays longer than 90 days
• You must apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour)
• UK driving licenses must now be exchanged for French ones
• UK-registered vehicles must be re-registered in France if you become resident

If you were already resident in France before Brexit, you should have received a WARP card.

France has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Here's how it works:

• Public coverage: Once registered with CPAM, you receive a Carte Vitale
• Reimbursement: The state typically covers 70% of medical costs
• Top-up insurance: A mutuelle covers the remaining 30%

You're free to choose your own doctor, specialist, and hospital.

The Carte Vitale is your French health insurance card. It's a green card with a chip that contains your social security information. When you visit a doctor or pharmacy, you present this card for automatic reimbursement.

To get one:

• Register with CPAM (we can help with this)
• Provide required documents (ID, proof of residence, etc.)
• Wait for your social security number
• Apply for your physical card

Processing typically takes 2-3 months.

While not legally mandatory, a mutuelle is highly recommended. Here's why:

• French social security only covers about 70% of costs
• Dental and optical care have lower reimbursement rates
• Hospital stays can leave significant out-of-pocket expenses

A good mutuelle costs €30-100/month depending on coverage level. We can refer you to English-speaking insurance brokers.

Yes! French banks are required to offer basic banking services to legal residents. However, the process can be bureaucratic.

You'll typically need:

• Valid passport
• Proof of address in France (utility bill, rental contract)
• Proof of income or employment
• Residence permit (if non-EU)

Some banks are more expat-friendly than others. We know which ones have English-speaking staff and simpler processes.

A numéro fiscal is your French tax identification number. You need it to:

• File French tax returns
• Open certain bank accounts
• Complete some administrative procedures

If you're a tax resident in France (living here more than 183 days/year), you're required to file a tax return, even if you owe nothing.

It depends on your situation:

• EU licenses: Valid indefinitely in France
• UK licenses (post-Brexit): Valid for 1 year after becoming resident, then must be exchanged
• Other countries: Depends on bilateral agreements - typically 1 year

The UK license exchange process has been notoriously slow since Brexit, with waiting times of 6-12 months. It's important to start early!

Importing a UK vehicle post-Brexit requires several steps:

• Certificate of Conformity (from the manufacturer)
• Customs clearance (if applicable)
• Contrôle technique (French MOT equivalent)
• Registration for a French carte grise
• Headlight adjustment (for right-hand drive vehicles)

The process typically costs €900-1,500 including all fees and taxes. We handle dozens of UK vehicle imports each year.

We serve 14 towns on the French Riviera, all within 25 minutes of our base in Châteauneuf-Grasse:

Antibes, Biot, Cannes, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Grasse, Le Cannet, Le Rouret, Mouans-Sartoux, Mougins, Opio, Roquefort-les-Pins, Valbonne, Vallauris, and Villeneuve-Loubet.

See our Coverage Area page for more details.

We offer three main packages:

• Welcome Package (€299): Essential setup for new arrivals
• Premium All-Inclusive (€1,499): Comprehensive support for full relocation
• UK to France Fast Track (€349): Specialized for post-Brexit UK citizens

🎁 Founders Offer: 40% off for our first 20 clients!

See our Pricing page for full details.

Yes, 100%! Our team is fully bilingual in French and English. We communicate with you in English while handling all French administration on your behalf.

We also accompany you to appointments and provide real-time translation when needed.