Information and Advice for Returning French Expats

Originally posted on 21st September, 2024 & updated on 12th November, 2024

Avez-vous suivi les différents évènements en France ces derniers mois? Du Tour de France au finish sur la Côte d’Azur aux inoubliables Jeux Olympiques et Para-Olympiques en passant par Roland Garros et les 24 Heures du Mans, y il avait le choix pour s’émerveiller des villes que notre magnifique pays propose. Les Français résidents à l’étranger ont souvent une autre perspective sur l’Héxagone, et c’est naturel de ressentir de l’émotion, ou de la nostalgie, surtout pour les expatriés de longue durée.

Est-ce que votre famille, vos amis et la “bonne bouffe” vous manquent? Considérez-vous rentrer au pays un jour, dans quelle région? Peut-être que vous avez été muté, et vous recherchez à acquérir un logement près de votre famille ou de votre lieu de travail? Ou tout simplement des idées et astuces pour mieux préparer votre retour en France. Cet article a été préparé pour vous, cependant nous continuerons dans la langue de Shakespeare, souvent plus facile à lire (et à écrire !) pour les expats de longue date pour lesquels il est devenu seconde nature de lire en Anglais.

Guide for Expats Returning to France

Returning to your home country can be considered a form of expatriation and requires careful preparation. As an expatriate returning to France, whether by choice or not, it’s important not to underestimate the unexpected difficulties you may face.

In this guide, we’ll present the steps to take before leaving your country of residence and after arriving in France. The procedures vary depending on whether you’re returning from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland or from another country. We’ll also provide tips to help you anticipate and better prepare for your return.

What is the Expatriate Status?

According to French law, a French citizen who moves abroad to work as their primary activity is considered an expatriate. During their time abroad, expatriates are no longer connected to the French social security system unless they join the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE). This distinguishes them from posted workers, who maintain a functional connection with their employer and the French social security system. Posted workers are not considered expatriates under French law, unless they choose to remain abroad after their assignment ends. France Travail, formely Pole Emploi, the unemployment agency, takes into account periods of work completed abroad.

Administrative Procedures

To facilitate your reinstallation after expatriation, it’s recommended that you complete your administrative procedures with various organisations and authorities in your country of residence and in France at least six months in advance.

In Your Country of Residence

Contact the nearest French embassy or consulate to return your consular registration card, request a certificate of change of residence, and update the civil registry in case of any changes (marriage, children, etc.).
Request quotes from several international moving companies as soon as possible, unless your employer covers the cost.
Inform your landlord of your departure date to avoid paying unnecessary rent, but wait until you’ve returned to France to cancel your home insurance policy.
Anticipate taxes and customs formalities.
Close your bank accounts and transfer the funds, we can assist with your currency requirements
Notify all local organisations of your change of address and request any necessary documents for France (social security, taxes, etc.).
Gather your pay slips, employment contracts, diplomas, and your children’s.
Retrieve any belongings left with friends or in a storage unit.
Arrange for your mail to be forwarded.

In France

Contact the social security system to find out what your rights will be based on your country of expatriation and your professional situation.
Search for housing: rental, property purchase, or short-term accommodation.
Declare your taxes to the Service des Impôts des Particuliers des Non-Résidents (SIPNR) if you received a salary from a French source or to the service des impôts associated with your new home if not.
Enroll your children in school, college, or high school. They will probably ask for your childs “carnet de santé”
Register your vehicle if you’ve arranged for it to be transferred from abroad and arrange suitable car insurance coverage.

For all these procedures, don’t hesitate to visit the French public service website.

Re-Establishing Social Connections

Returning to your home country after several years can feel like rediscovering a new culture, but above all, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with your roots. While you may expect to find your bearings easily, feeling like a stranger in your own country is common, especially if you are not relocating to your home region or town, possibly for work reasons. Re-establishing yourself and rebuilding social connections can take time, even when returning home.

Many associations support French citizens who have returned through meetings, meals, and activities. Websites like InterNations and Expatica also organise events for expatriates and former expatriates in major French cities, and it’s worth reconnecting with old friends d’Antan, for example, on social media or friends from university or school on les copains d’avant website.

A Professional Transition

If you find yourself on the job market once you return to France, it is also important to prepare for this step. A few adjustments are needed if you are expatriated for professional mobility, aside from adapting to your new role in France. Nonetheless, review your current position with your HR representative in your host country and plan a meeting with your supervisor in France to discuss your experience and skills.

Ahhh La Vie … Parfois!

In some cases, a family or professional event may force the decision to return to France, providing little notice, in some cases urgently. We fully appreciate this; it happened out of the blue to my family with very young children, and again, some 20 years later, just me, for a new adventure, moving to Lyon from the UK after eight years living and working in London. Back then, you needed to call the DWP in Newcastle to inform them about the changes before departure; easier said than done.

The first thing to do is share your news with your family and seek support from them and your friends. Then, aim to complete as many pre-moving tasks as possible; many can be done online; delegate if you can. Consider leaving belongings with friends or using storage if you cannot take all your things on this trip due to the nature of the situation. Ensure you have all your important paperwork and have backed up all your equipment.

Health Insurance Upon Your Return

You are French and are returning to France after expatriation. The rules for opening or maintaining your health insurance rights upon your return depend on your former country of residence (outside Europe or in Europe) and your professional situation. If you are planning a French mutuelle complementaire, you can apply for a quote for top health insurance with our bilingual experts.

Support for Returning Expats

Expatriation aid is a system that allows you to benefit from specific support in the context of your expatriation. But if you were expatriated and have decided to return to France, you can also request support to facilitate the transition back to your home country.

So, consider this return as a new expatriation because the key to expatriation, as you will have understood, is, above all, a question of anticipation. But it is also the choice of a moving company of confidence that will be able to accompany you and guide you whatever the circumstances.

Taxation when Returning to France

The terms of the taxation to which you will be subject will depend on your previous tax regime (taxable in France or abroad).

In the year of your return, the filing deadline is the same as for residents. Your declaration must be sent to the tax office with which you are affiliated. This may be:

The tax office for non-resident individuals (SIPNR), if you had French-source income during your stay abroad. Do not forget to notify your new address in France so that the SIPNR can transfer your file to the tax office you depend on based on your address.
The tax office of your new residence if you had no French-source income during your stay abroad. You must also notify the tax office you were attached to during your stay abroad of your new address.

Moving and Customs Formalities

The moving company or local freight forwarder you have hired to transport your furniture and personal belongings will ask you to provide a detailed inventory. A certificate of change of residence is often required to authorise customs clearance at the point of departure. If the local authorities are unable to provide you with this document, you can contact the French consulate.

Do not forget that the production of a fiscal discharge or a statement of situation may be required by the local administrative authorities.

If you are moving from a European Union (EU) country, you do not have any customs formalities to complete. However, if you are moving from a country outside the EU, you can benefit from a tax and duty exemption for the import of your personal belongings under the following conditions:

You’ve Lived Abroad for Over 12 Months

You have owned and used the items for more than six months before the change of residence
If you own valuable items (antiques, works of art, etc.) or items that require specific formalities, you will need to complete a specific declaration form provided by the customs service. You can also complete this declaration on the Douane website.

Check the specific customs regulations of the country you are moving from and any restrictions or prohibitions on importing certain items and products into France. You should also insure your goods and belongings to cover any damage or loss during the move.

Feel free to contact the team at Camihomme, whose removal business is featured on our business directory for France. They operate a small family company specialising in removals from the UK to France. They have been gaining a strong reputation for their professional and personable service.

Finally, if you are looking for insurance for your house, your car or your family, our experts in France will be happy to send you a personal quote by email in French or English.

We hope this article is useful to you, learn more about the buying process and discover our selection of properties for sale. Do not hesitate to contact us if you’d prefer to receive the French version by email or use Google translate.

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