Buying a house in France - questions

SimonM

SimonM

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It appears life is going to change considerably now we are outside of the EU and the 90/180 Schengen Agreement can impact on the lengthy European travel that many MHers enjoy.

Does anyone have any ideas what the implication is of you buy a property in France for use as an alternative accommodation. I’m not yet looking to leave the UK entirely but to obtain a pied a terre for extended holiday use - I don’t quite now where yet. I know that there have been people hopping across to France to confirm residency, my Bruv-in-law is one who has just returned and is now self-isolating and as yet I’ve not had a chance to grill him. Does this mean that even if you own a property you can’t stay for more than 90/180?

thoughts?
 
Even if you get residence (or similar) in France.
That will only allow over 90 days in france..ie you will not be able to go to say spain for more than 90 days as you are still non-schengen.
Ok probably no limit in France which is big enough..and the Med-coast is warm in winter.
Seems a lot of cash to tie up for as yet unclear advantages..But if it suits you and the wrinkles are easily ironable I also say "Why not"
 
if you buy a house in France which isn’t your main residence, and you don’t have a residency permit, ( a second home) you will still be subject to the 90/180 day rule in France.
If you move permanently to France there is no limit on staying, but as Jagmanx says above, the 90/180 day rule will still apply to you travelling to another Schengen zone country.
 
snapster said:
if you buy a house in France which isn’t your main residence, and you don’t have a residency permit, ( a second home) you will still be subject to the 90/180 day rule in France.
If you move permanently to France there is no limit on staying, but as Jagmanx says above, the 90/180 day rule will still apply to you travelling to another Schengen zone country.
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Not for me but.. Thanks @snapster Not really surprised to find the "holiday home idea" is unlikely to "work".
A problem for some but we can manage with the 90 day limit...albeit 120 would be better !
C'est La Vie
 
If you permanently moved to France and got full residency why wouldn’t you be treated as an EU citizen and have no restrictions? Is it that you would need to become a French citizen?
 
I suggest to overcome the 90 day rule outside of France you would need an EU(French) Passport and would need to be a French Citizen rather than just a resident..Even with a home French residence may be tricky unless you can demonstrate it is your main residence..So French income tax and more. This is not what the OP was proposing.(.but he may change his aim)
Others such as Snapster (and previously Wintonian) made France their home! But again a 90 day Schengen limit would still apply for other countries. I suggest uprooting to France (or other) is a bit of a drastic step just to try to overcome the 90 day limit !!!
I appreciate others have chosen to live in Spain and Portugal and with a property and residence is good.
For some it is their new home..( thus immigration/healthcare/income tax etc) others do retain a property in the UK and thus UK status.
"Semi-gration" as I call it needs more care than full immigration (IMO)
 
Think you can Apply for a visa to extend 90 days can’t you!!!
 
nabsim said:
If you permanently moved to France and got full residency why wouldn’t you be treated as an EU citizen and have no restrictions? Is it that you would need to become a French citizen?
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To become a French citizen (with a French passport) you would have to prove you have been resident in France for 5 years before you apply, and part of the process is to take a French language test.
Citizenship of an EU country confers virtually all the rights on you that you had before the beginning of January this year ( the right to live work and travel unhindered within the EU )
Residency allows you to live work and travel within your country of residence all year round.
 
snapster said:
To become a French citizen (with a French passport) you would have to prove you have been resident in France for 5 years before you apply, and part of the process is to take a French language test.
Citizenship of an EU country confers virtually all the rights on you that you had before the beginning of January this year ( the right to live work and travel unhindered within the EU )
Residency allows you to live work and travel within your country of residence all year round.
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That’s answers it nicely, I guess the French language test could prevent a lot gaining citizenship. After 5 years residency I would hope most would be able to pass if it’s not too technical but knowing how most Brits are abroad...

While I would love to live in France it’s very unlikely I will, I was just curious if citizenship was the key. Good on France for having the test, I think that should apply to anyone with residency anywhere after a certain time.
 
A language test may not work too well here, the yoof innit like, of today struggle with their born language as it is.
 
SimonM said:
A language test may not work too well here, the yoof innit like, of today struggle with their born language as it is.
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Ha ha ha, while I tend to agree being born in a country grants automatic citizenship. We may take the mickey out of today’s youth (and I do) but I think every generation has the same. Remember trad jazz man lol
 
We have the "British Citizenship Test" which I approve of..
However some of the question are simply not worthwhile, others plain stupid, and others designed to confuse !
Eg What % of poulation are Asian oK
What % of Asians live in London
What is a kirk
What is a Scouser
Is NHS National Health System OR Service
Nida did rellay well and go 21 out of 24 pass is 18 !
(must have had a good teacher !!!:unsure::ROFLMAO:)
 
Those questions to me are stupid Jag. I don’t really know what should or shouldn’t go in a citizenship test, not really thought about it that much. I have always thought if you live in a country then you should live by their rules and learn their language. Just basic stuff like that really. Not meaning if you just go somewhere for a few months or a holiday but if you want to live there longer time or forever. 👍
 
The other thing to consider is that those with residence prior to Brexit are treated differently to those who apply after. We are protected by the withdrawal agreement but a new applicant would be from a " third country". Currently not all countries are absolutely clear on how the 90/180 will be enforced but as time goes on, it should be clarified. If France allow 180 days as has been suggested, it will change things but not holding my breath as think a lot of ideas are media hype so waiting till it is clearly law!
After five years here in Portugal there is a language test to pass if one wants to get citizenship, but it is fairly simple A2 level...not fluent conversation, but enough to get by. Which we would be able to pass, still half thinking we might but only vaguely.
 
Being multilingual, speaking French holds no fear to me, avec mon petti pour. Je swee init
Bloody shame the French can’t understand their own language when it is parliad.
 
I like Europe
After all "Euroshop" is about 10% cheaper than "Poundland" and you are buying exotic continental items !
 
jagmanx said:
I like Europe
After all "Euroshop" is about 10% cheaper than "Poundland" and you are buying exotic continental items !
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I'll get in before Tezza.
Yes but how much will the items cost?
 
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