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LIVING IN FRANCE

Food and property, tax and tourists: 6 essential articles for life in France

This week’s must-reads from The Local include where in France food is more expensive, how to sort out your tax identity, the French tourist hotspots dealing with too many tourists and how Brexit has affected travel services.

Food and property, tax and tourists: 6 essential articles for life in France
Fruits and vegetables on sale at a market in Toulouse. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Inflation is hitting everyone in the pocket in France. According to the latest official figures, France’s annual inflation rate rose to 6 percent in January 2023, from 5.9 percent in December, early estimates show.

But, the price you’ll pay for everyday goods in France depends heavily on where you live, a study has revealed. We dig a little deeper into the numbers.

EXPLAINED: Where in France are food prices rising the most?

Linked to rising prices, there’s more bad news for some property owners. In France, renting and owning property is becoming more expensive as les charges – joint ownership fees for shared apartment buildings – are on the rise. This is why.

‘Les charges’: Why owning and renting apartments in France is becoming more costly

If you’re new to France, there are financial things you need to know. Whether you’re declaring your taxes for the first time or you are a property owner and need to complete the new property tax declaration, here’s how to go about setting up your French tax account.

EXPLAINED: How to get a ‘numéro fiscal’ and create a French tax account

The cliffs of Etretat, in Normandy, the Calanques around Marseille, La Ciotat and Cassis on the Mediterranean coast, have made Fodor’s Travel list of places to avoid because of tourist overcrowding and threats to the environment. They’re not the only places in France concerned about too much tourism.

France’s most spectacular beauty spots suffer from too many tourists

Transport Minister Clément Beaune has announced a digital travel pass that can be used on all types of French public transport. There’s just one problem – it hasn’t been invented yet… Here’s why that little detail hasn’t stopped him.

French government announces plans for nationwide transport pass

The effects of the UK’s exit from the EU continue to be felt on travel between France and the UK, two years on from the end of the Brexit transition period – and it’s likely there is worse to come.

From ferries to Eurostar: How Brexit has hit travel between France and the UK

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LIVING IN FRANCE

Préfectures, property and Euro 2024: Essential articles for life in France

Buying a property, préfecture problems, buying and selling concert tickets, how and where to watch Euro 2024 action - plus of course what France's snap elections mean for foreigners in France - are all this week's must-reads from The Local.

Préfectures, property and Euro 2024: Essential articles for life in France

We don’t normally do politics here – the ‘Essentials’ newsletter is supposed to be practical and we usually leave that political sort of thing to editor Emma Pearson and her election bulletins.

But there are some things we can’t ignore. And one is that there’s a snap-election coming up, and there’s a possibility that Marine Len Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National party could do well. So – from visas to cartes de séjour and French language tests – here’s a look at some RN’s policies that could affect foreigners living in France, or hoping to move here someday.

What a far-right prime minister could mean for foreigners in France

There are several things to consider before buying property in France. You may want to visit the area during different seasons to be sure that you enjoy it rain or shine, and you will want to consider how much you would end up paying in property taxes, as well as whether or not it will be a main residence or second home.

And then, there are the extra hurdles for foreigners purchasing property here. Here’s a look at some of the restrictions and challenges you will want to be aware of beforehand.

What restrictions are there on foreigners buying property in France?

Many foreigners have experienced problems with their local préfecture – from long delays in processing applications to difficulty getting appointments and problems in making contact with préfecture staff.

If you’re a non-EU citizen living in France then you will need either a visa or a carte de séjour (residency permit) – and in the early years most people will need to regularly renew their cards – this means that you will have to interact with their local préfecture, or sous-préfecture. Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier on the blood pressure…

Top tips for dealing with delays or problems at your French préfecture

A football tournament kicked off on Friday – you may have heard something about it. From TV schedules to bars, cafés and fan zones, here are your options for watching all matches of the Euro 2024 football tournament in France.

How to watch the Euro 2024 tournament on TV in France

If you are buying or selling tickets to events such as concerts, matches or festivals in France, then there are some rules to be aware of, especially as the Olympic and Paralympic Games approach.

The rules for buying and selling tickets in France

From strike action to Olympic disruption, via ‘black days’ on the roads and the €49 rail pass, here’s a look ahead to what to expect if you’re travelling to, from or within France in summer 2024.

Travel to France: What to expect on roads, rails and airports this summer

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