Ultimo aggiornamento: 22 ottobre 2026

France has long been a favourite for Britons moving abroad, from Brittany and Normandy to the Dordogne, Provence and the Alps. It is close enough to visit family easily, and offers space, culture and a slower pace of life. Since Brexit, though, UK citizens need a visa to live in France.

La regola del 90/180

Without a visa, UK citizens can stay in France (and the Schengen area) for fino a 90 giorni in un periodo di 180 giorni. Second-home owners often find this the biggest change after Brexit.

Visa options

Apply through the official France-Visas service before you go. Most long-stay visas must be validated online within three months of arrival, followed by a residence permit (titre de séjour).

Key steps after arrival

• Validate your visa and later apply for or renew your titre de séjour
• Healthcare: after three months’ stable residence you can usually join the French system (PUMa). UK state pensioners may use an S1.
• Bank account and tax number: you need both for rent, utilities and tax
• Tax: you become tax resident if France is your main home. The UK–France tax treaty helps avoid double taxation.
• Patente di guida: UK licence holders resident in France can exchange their licence. Check the current deadline.

Removals to France: costs and timing

Most moves go su strada via the Channel Tunnel or ferries from Dover, Portsmouth, Poole or Plymouth.

Used household goods are usually free of duty and VAT when you transfer your residence to France with the right paperwork. See our Guida ai traslochi internazionali.

Taking your car to France

You can register a UK car in France, but you will need a certificate of conformity, a French roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) if required, headlight adjustments and a French registration certificate (carte grise). Some movers find it easier to buy a left-hand-drive car locally.

Getting there without flying

Ferries and Eurostar make France one of the easiest moves from the UK. See Vacanze senza prendere l'aereo dal Regno Unito.

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