If you move to France, you can still receive your UK State Pension, as the UK and France have a social security agreement ensuring payment and annual increases (uprating) due to a reciprocal arrangement. You must contact the International Pension Centre (IPC) to claim and arrange payment, usually into a UK or French bank account, but Pension Credit stops if you move abroad permanently. Tax on your pension will generally be handled under the UK-France double taxation agreement, typically meaning you pay French income tax with potential UK tax relief, though you should check the specific rules with the IPC.
You can keep claiming your UK State Pension overseas. But it might not increase every year as it would in the UK. You'll only get any annual increases if you live in either: any European Economic Area country, Gibraltar or Switzerland.
The UK state pension cannot be transferred to any overseas pension scheme. However you can still receive your UK state pension while living in France, paid into either a UK or French bank account.
Can a UK citizen retire to France after Brexit? The good news is, yes, you can, but there are a few more steps involved than before. Since Brexit, UK citizens must apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) to retire to France from the UK. This visa is key if you plan to stay for more than 90 days.
No, you can't transfer your UK pension to a QROPS in France because France isn't on HMRC's list of qualified recognised overseas pension schemes (QROPS).
UK pension income is generally taxed in France under the income tax scale rates, once you become resident there. The only pensions that remain subject to UK tax are government service pensions. If you are planning to retire in France, you've made a good choice; it's the perfect place to enjoy your retirement years.
Most British Commonwealth countries are in the frozen list; including Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and India, as well as British overseas territories such as the Falkland Islands. Thailand is also on the list.
When the UK left the EU on 1 January 2021, France imposed a higher rate of 17.2% on British citizens owning French second homes. This significantly increased the tax burden for Brits and encouraged many to sell their properties.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
Normally, people who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. However, under the agreement, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in France regardless of your nationality.
You can claim the UK State Pension if you move overseas, but you will not qualify for: annual increases – unless the country you're moving to is listed on GOV.UK.
The hidden tax loopholes for foreign entrepreneurs in France
How much money is needed to retire in France? The financial requirement for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) can be around €15,000 per year for a single applicant, but actual costs depend on lifestyle and location. Typically, you will want to have at least six months' worth of savings for unexpected expenses.
Consider the destinations below when looking for the best countries to retire to from the UK.
EEA Country Rules and Regulations
The Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU protects the rights of UK expats, ensuring you can continue to receive your UK State Pension and other benefits while living in an EEA country like France.
British second home owners in France are facing record tax bills after hundreds of municipalities increased surcharges on holiday properties, generating €2.4 billion (£2.08 billion) in extra revenue last year.
It is frowned upon in France to shout or speak very loudly during a discussion or on the phone. We do not like people who stand out or who are too much in France.
The Zone Rouge, or Red Zone, is the name given to about 460 square miles of totally devastated land in the Meuse. Littered with unexploded ordnance, it became a physical and environmental catastrophe.
British nationals do not need to register with the EES if they're legally resident in France and have a valid 5-year, 10-year or permanent residence permit. If you're legally resident in France but do not have a residence permit, contact your local prefecture (in French) for information on how to get one.
A summary of the cost of living in France per month
Generally the cost of living in France is cheaper than in the UK, by around 1.4% without rent and 10% with rent. However, there are some areas where France is more expensive than the UK, and there are interesting differences in tax laws too.
All legal residents who have resided in France for three months are eligible for France's public healthcare system. However, there are some additional conditions to watch out for before you join the French healthcare system. Expats must be living there in a “stable and regular” manner.
They do and France actually receives a much larger number of asylum claims than Britain – around 167,000 in 2023, compared to 67,000 in the UK. Those who arrive in France often choose to remain there and a relatively small proportion of the asylum seekers intend on moving on to the UK.
You cannot transfer your UK State Pension into a French scheme. However, you can claim it abroad and have it paid into a French or international bank account.
Which Countries Have the Most Sustainable Pension Systems? Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have the most financially sustainable pension systems due to well-balanced contribution rates and participation.
The UK's state pension offers some of the lowest income support in the G7, research shows. Pensioners get less than a quarter (22 per cent) of their pre-retirement salary from the state pension — significantly lower than the 76 per cent in Italy, according to Fidelity International.