It seems a bit quiet here in the AUS group. Not many Aussies moving to France?
Those of you who have, what of your experiences?
What things would you recommend doing before leaving AUS please?
Merci
Thanks Alan... appreciate your reply and the info - we'll look into it a bit more :) Sounds like it's all worked well for you.
All best,
Dave
G'Day Dave,
My wife was already in receipt of an English pension so she was eligible for an E121 when we arrived. I ended up in hospital in Normandy within 5 weeks of arriving in France when we had no health cover at all. Anne sorted it all out by phone with the DHSS on the day and they faxed the relevant paperwork to the hospital. The system worked brilliantly. I was prepared to pay the full amount for my 3 day stay obviously but only had to pay 300 euros.
As an Australian I was included on her cover (being younger and her husband). I had the same Carte Vitale number as her. However when I did a ten month course with CLPS to help learn French and get a job in France, I was paid and then given my own Carte Vitale number.
Now I'm retired properly I should be placed back on Anne's number until I get my English pension next year. At that time I'll get my own Carte again. The joys of French bureaucracy!
I should point out that I did live and work in England for 18 years but never had a Brit passport.
I don't know how you'd go as early retirees. As I understand it if you can obtain a S1 form from the DHSS then you should be eligible for a CV but I don't know for sure. Sorry I can't help anymore. I'd suggest checking with the DHSS first; they've always been very helpful to us.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan,
I'm a Brit, not an Aussie, but interested in your reply! My wife and I are early retirees and I'm just wondering if you got your Carte Vitale's as retirees or were you or your wife working here first? We're just considering the best way to apply... as early reired or to start a little AE enterprise etc.
Look forward to hear :)
All best,
Dave
G'Day David,
I've just joined SFN and I know you posted this some time ago but you did ask!
My British?Aussi wife and I moved to Brittany in 2007 after a few months in Normandy. We came from Tassie which has a similar climate. Having done HSC in French a few years ago, I thought I could cope with the language. Sadly I was wrong since Aussi French is only any use when talking to other Aussis. I'm now re-educated and can manage but, as I'm retired, there's no need most of the time. Sadly, we've become quite reclusive although I am on first name terms with all the local cows near our countryside property.
There have been no probs joining the system as my wife's Britishisity allows us both access to the brilliant French medical system. One regret is that France is not one of the countries aligned with Oz so I won't be eligible for an Aussi pension next year if I stay here. Germany and Portugal are okay but France is a grand no!
I'll finish now as I'm probably only talking to myself on this forum. Aussis in France are as scarce as budgie's teeth.
Alan (SuperSkippy)
Thank you Margo.
Where does one start with an official determination of what I NEED to do, and what I am entitled to - the local town hall. or an official website?
As I write this I am wondering if those reading this think I am very naive, have not done any reseacrh etc. Partly true. I started going to Italy last May for a holiday, and 12 months later find myself in France wondering how I can live here. I am not good (terrible) with paperwork and forms, so have largely been battling along doing what I think are some basics, like applying for a UK passport - which has taken 8 months so far and nearly $1000 in associated fees. And that process was in English! That bureaucracy slowed me down well and truly.
Do I need a lawyer / advocat on my side? Is there a one stop shop in France to guide me along? Or is it all to be found here in this helpful community?
Merci
David
0659233302 (ignore the voicemail message if you happen to call)
Hi, Its been a while since I posted but now, on my third trip in less than 12 months IM ready for more questions to be answered.
I am here living with my French girlfriend. Living on the edge of Ille de Fance. This trip i now have a) my UK citizenship (and hopefully my UK passport soon). I need to work, sadly I am not 'independently wealthy'.
Whats the process please? i.e. whats next to live and work here? Where do I start? Do I need the passport, or having UK citizenship enough>
What do I do for health cover? What social services i.e. unemployment benefits am I entitled to, if any, until I find a job?
Where are the best places to start looking for work? (I am a registered nurse and midwife...BUT I speak tiny amount of French, nothing that would be useful in any work situation that requires speaking). I am also a photographer, and would like to do this kind of work ... shooting and teaching.
In setting up my own business, whats the process please? Where do I start? Do I need to make it 'legal' or can I just make a small income to survive 'under the table'?
What other things should I be asking / concerned about as a new 'Frenchman' / expat?
Merci
David
Hi, Its been a while since I posted but now, on my third trip in less than 12 months IM ready for more questions to be answered.
I am here living with my French girlfriend. Living on the edge of Ille de Fance. This trip i now have a) my UK citizenship (and hopefully my UK passport soon). I need to work, sadly I am not 'independently wealthy'.
Whats the process please? i.e. whats next to live and work here? Where do I start? Do I need the passport, or having UK citizenship enough>
What do I do for health cover? What social services i.e. unemployment benefits am I entitled to, if any, until I find a job?
Where are the best places to start looking for work? (I am a registered nurse and midwife...BUT I speak tiny amount of French, nothing that would be useful in any work situation that requires speaking). I am also a photographer, and would like to do this kind of work ... shooting and teaching.
In setting up my own business, whats the process please? Where do I start? Do I need to make it 'legal' or can I just make a small income to survive 'under the table'?
What other things should I be asking / concerned about as a new 'Frenchman' / expat?
Merci,
David
Erm. I'm presuming you have a job and visa already. Do you know where you want to live? When are you planning to move?
I'm an Aussi/Kiwi living in Toulouse. Been in France for 17 years of which 10 in Paris.
Got any precise questions I might be able to answer. To the ones above I'd say - don't forget your Vegemite ;-) (Although you can sometimes buy the jars in different Supermarkets)
Angela