Moving a household to France involves more than a removal lorry. Residence status, driving licences and overseas assets all carry their own rules, and the UK Government’s “Living in France” guidance for British nationals sets out the main ones. This article summarises the parts most relevant to someone planning a relocation, using the version of the guidance updated in December 2025. It describes UK Government guidance, not French law directly, so the French authorities remain the final source for their own rules.
Where to get help
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s general guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad, last updated on 12 January 2026, says that for most questions a mover should contact the government of the destination country and get professional help, for example from a local lawyer. It adds that the UK government, including British embassies and consulates, cannot give personalised guidance on moving to, living or retiring in another country.
Visas and residence permits
The guidance says the visa or residence permit needed depends on the purpose of the move, and lists work, study, living with family in France, being an au pair, volunteering and getting medical treatment as examples. It points readers to the French government’s visa wizard and says that, once in France, a new arrival needs to apply for a residence permit or validate a long-stay visa. Questions go to the French visa service, the French consulate in London or an English-speaking lawyer in France; the guidance states plainly that the British Embassy in Paris cannot help with French visa, residency or citizenship applications.
Anyone whose move pre-dates 1 January 2021 is in a different position. The guidance says people who moved before that date and have been legally living in France since have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, evidenced by a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP). Movers arriving now fall under the ordinary visa and permit rules instead.
Keeping address details correct
For residence-permit holders, the guidance notes that an address change may mean requesting a new residence permit, and that people with a WARP need to report changes in personal details such as a new address on the French government portal. A removal plan should therefore include a step for updating the permit as well as the usual utilities and banks; the site’s guide to planning shipping and customs research covers the goods side of an overseas move.
Driving licences
The guidance draws a line based on the date the licence was issued. UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man licences can be used for short stays or by students. A licence issued before 1 January 2021 can be used in France until it expires, but the guidance says these licences cannot be replaced or renewed by residents of France. It sets out when an exchange for a French licence is required:
- If the licence was issued after 1 January 2021, the exchange must be made within 12 months of arrival in France.
- If it was issued before 1 January 2021 and has expired, or will expire within the next 12 months, an exchange is also required.
The application is made online through the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS). It requires a check code from the DVLA for English, Welsh and Scottish licences, or from the Driver and Vehicle Agency for Northern Irish licences, while holders of Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man licences need a letter or certificate of entitlement from the relevant authority. The guidance advises applying before the 12 months end, because processing takes time and a French licence is needed to drive legally. An accepted application produces a secured deposit receipt that can be used to drive until the new licence arrives. UK Blue Badge holders who live in France must return the badge to the UK issuing authority.
Vehicles
The guidance refers readers to the French government’s information on registering a foreign vehicle. On the UK side, notifying DVLA about a vehicle leaving permanently is explained in the site’s guide to exporting a vehicle when you move abroad permanently.
Tax and declarations
The guidance says the UK has a double taxation agreement with France, so that tax is not paid on the same income in both countries, and recommends contacting the French tax authority about double taxation relief and considering professional advice. It also states that assets held outside France must be declared to the French authorities, including bank accounts, securities, insurance, annuities and property, and that this declaration is separate from the annual tax return. The UK side of leaving is explained in the site’s guide to tax residence and split-year treatment.
Pensions, benefits and pets
The guidance covers claiming a UK State Pension from abroad, applying to the French pension office (CARSAT) to check French pension eligibility, and claiming UK or French benefits. It refers readers to its wider “moving, living or retiring abroad” guidance for healthcare planning. For animals, see the site’s guide to moving abroad with a pet.
Common questions
Can the British Embassy help with a French residence application? No. The guidance says the embassy cannot help with visa, residency or citizenship applications.
Do I need to exchange my UK licence? It depends on the issue date and expiry, as set out above; the guidance gives the 12-month exchange window for licences issued after 1 January 2021.
The bottom line
For a move from the UK to France, GOV.UK’s guidance identifies four early tasks: obtaining the right visa and then a residence permit or validated long-stay visa, exchanging a UK driving licence where required within the stated period, declaring overseas assets to the French authorities, and understanding tax and pension consequences under the UK-France double taxation agreement. Because French rules and processing times can change, mover checklists should be checked against the French government’s own pages before booking removal dates. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.