Firstly I apologise for creating this thread as I’m sure it has been discussed numerous times over the years. However, as we are about to commit ourselves to another home in France (my fifth in thirty six years) I read of people being kicked out and foreign income not being taken into consideration for residency purposes.
My question is simple although as with most matters it will probably prove to be complicated. I do not wish to expose my finances to all and sundry so let us just say that I have both English and French pensions as well as another nominal overseas contribution which allows us to live modestly in the French countryside. When we sell the house we will use some funds to modernise and improve our new home and a slug will go into an account against a rainy day. All very sensible and it works in my head but will we be able to live in peace?
I do intend to keep working as hopefully will my wife to provide an income to supplement the pensions and make life more interesting. I still aspire to owning an Aston and a Ferrari again but I think those days are gone.
I have every faith in our ability to work and earn but if, just if, something like unexpected ill health meant that we had to survive on the modest pension, would we be safe? I’ve paid my taxes/cotisations in France since 2003 and we both have ten year TDS cards. I’ve owned property in France since 1990 and like many others I ‘feel’ French but, romanticising aside, can I rest secure?
I appreciate that the obvious questions will be a) how much is the monthly pension total and b) how big is the slug? Let us just say neither are anything to get excited about.
As an addendum and before it is suggested that I research matters I should point out that I have done so. The info for newcomers seems clear but for existing long term residents it is less so. Hopefully some friendly advice will be forthcoming here otherwise I shall have to trouble my accountant.
Others will perhaps correct me, but I think the recent fuss about “non-French sourced income” was in connection with citizenship applications rather than long-term residency?
Fingers crossed! I am not an expert on this topic at all but like you have been reading the various threads about visas etc. as I want to be able to live in France long-term as well!
It is something that I should have done many moons ago. It is never too late and providing I do find employment when we move it is something to do once the dust settles (literally) which will probably be another couple of years.
You have owned property in France, been here since 1990, have a 10 year residents card and hope to have a Ferrari again etc etc All this and you allege to not know anything about income requirements?
Surely, if you have been tax resident since 2003 you have a Withdrawal Agreement Residency Permit with permanent validity under Article 50. In which case I do not believe that there are any income requirements applicable. No doubt Jane will correct me if I am mistaken.
I have also been here since 2003 and have never been asked to provide proof of income.
Thank you for your input Robert and Jane. It has reassured me. I have been aware of developments but now, with a move imminent, I thought I should check that I wasn’t guilty of an erroneous assumption that our status is secure. Laws and obligations seem to change rapidly nowadays.
