Because they plan to move in before the end of the transition period, ie be resident in France before the 31st of December to qualify and keep right to live and work here. It’s quite clear, you need to be resident before the end of the transition period, second home owners will become third country nationals like everybody else : max 90 days in any 180, as you say, and apparently the 90 days can’t be back to back.
There are plenty of people on this forum who are more knowledgeable on this subject than I am and who keep an eye on this (other 2nd home owners) who will I’m sure correct me if the situation has changed
In actual fact the rules have always been that you have only been able to stay in France for 90 days before registering, but France chose not to apply this and was one of the few EU country not to require EU country citizens to register after 90 days.
So once Brexit has happened this is what will be fully applied. And it is 90 days within the Schengen area - so if you have a few short breaks in other EU countries that comes off the 90 days you can spend in France.
As second home owners (or renters, makes no difference) you will no longer be considered an European citizen so will have to abide by the rules for TCNs, third country nationals.
The reason that people are rushing is to become resident in France.
Hello,
First of all, I’d just like to say that we have found this website a brilliant resource to answer a lot of the questions that have been in our minds, so thank you.
I have not been able to find an answer to a question that has been bothering me and I was hoping that someone here would be able to help.
Context: My wife and I are moving to France in November. We have rental accommodation with an agreement for 12 months. We will have have at least one of the utilities in our name and as far as the requirements for meeting the criteria for the CDS (French bank a/c, healthcare, proof of income, etc.,) I believe we have addressed. Question: Once we move into our rental accommodation, do we have to inform anyone else that we are resident in France - especially locally e.g. le maire or other local “council” type organisations or do we just apply for the CDS through the government website after 3 months?
If anyone can provide some clarity, that would be great.
I think this revolves around how deeply you want to be involved in the country. Recently we had our address changed and that DID involve in notifying a lot of people - necessary and optional. You almost certainly will be required to notify the services water, electricity, bank if you want a bank card, doctor if you need medical attention, the Maire, I believe has a responsibility for the addresses of residents (except holiday ones? Unless you wish to live in a cash only society?
Optional ones will be amazon and any others you use online for stuff to be delivered as not many use the French postal service.
Best to think through all those you might need for anything wherever they are based and as Stella noted you must have your name on the letter box or they could all have a reason not to deliver!
I suggest making your presence known to the Mairie. Our town has a welcoming reception (even during these strange times!) for new residents. It’s a lovely opportunity to a) get to know who’s who within the council, and 2) share a glass of wine with your new neighbours and the mayor.
You never know when it could well come in handy one day to have at least already met your mayor.
There is a difference between “must tell” - which is nobody - and could be a good idea to tell for your daily life. Some things have to be done in order as can’t register a médecin traitant until you get into the health system. And other things like amazon would be totally meaningless for authorities as provide no real proof.
I have a very strong intuition that the former Maire in our commune declined to meet new residents for the friendly verre d’amitié for the simple reason that some residents were under the illusion that they thereafter “had the Maire’s ear” (in a nudge-nudge way), and he was sick and tired of it of it after 30 years in office.
He was a very self-effacing man but a hugely successful and enterprising public servant. In my very rare formal dealings with him he was a model of attentiveness and courtesy, and is much missed since his recent retirement.
Stella - that’s a great suggestion about the letterbox - wouldn’t have thought about it
Norman - our aim is to get involved in the country and embrace it
Gareth - yep we definitely will be trying to visit our Mairie
I read on the Gov website that we have until next June to apply!
Me and hubby can’t make the application before December so I looked it up!
Where in France are you?
