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LIVING IN FRANCE

Border rules, citizenship and a food crime: essential articles for life in France

From fears over border delays to the 90-day rule, citizenship and workers’ rights, to wildfire rules and the really rather bizarre French tacos, here are our six essential articles on life in France

Published: 28 May 2023 08:20 CEST
Border rules, citizenship and a food crime: essential articles for life in France
Border police control points at Charles de Gaulle Airport. (Photo by Eric PIERMONT / AFP)

May is coming to an end, June is near, and thoughts turn to that long-awaited summer break – and, as sure as strikes are strikes that means concern over border delays. This week problems in passport control at Paris’ Charles De Gaulle airport hit the headlines. Should travellers be worried about ongoing issues this summer?

Travel to France: Will there be French border delays this summer?

Speaking of spending time in France… Non-EU visitors to the country – which since Brexit includes Britons – are restricted to stays of less than 90 days in every 180, unless they have a visa. But just how seriously does France enforce this rule?

Reader question: How seriously does France enforce the 90-day rule?

People with strong ties to France or long-term residents may decide, at some point, to apply for French citizenship and become French – but this process is not for the faint-hearted. Applying to become French requires a lot of paperwork and proof that you meet the requirements – but when all that is done comes the feared interview which involves a (very) wide range of questions. We asked readers of The Local about their experiences.

Philosophy and cheese: What you might be asked in a French citizenship interview

In 2017 France added the droit à la déconnexion (the right to disconnect) to the country’s Labour Code. It is often cited as an example of the country’s strict workplace culture – but in reality the law is more complicated than it first appears.

Right to disconnect: Is it illegal for French bosses to contact workers out-of-hours?

The French government is set to increase enforcement of the wildfire-prevention works that are the legal obligation of property owners. Here’s what you need to know.

Wildfire prevention: The legal obligations for French property owners

France has a reputation as a gourmet paradise. But it doesn’t get everything right. Far from it. We give you – and try to explain – French tacos…

France’s national fast food: What exactly are ‘French tacos’?

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LIVING IN FRANCE

Why you might get a letter about French benefits

France is introducing stricter residency requirements for certain benefits, including those that foreigners in France can qualify for, and has begun sending letters out to recipients.

Published: 30 April 2024 14:07 CEST
Why you might get a letter about French benefits

In April, the French government passed a decree that will tighten up residency requirements for different types of benefits, including the old-age top-up benefit.

Previously, the rule for most benefits was residency in France for at least six months of the previous year to qualify, though some required eight months and others, like the RSA (a top-up for people with little to no income) requires nine months’ residency per year.

However, the government announced in 2023 its intention to increase the period to nine months for several different programmes – which was put into decree in April – in an effort to combat social security fraud, as well as to standardise the system.

The changes, which will go into effect at the start of 2025, do not affect access to healthcare – foreigners can still access French public healthcare as long as they have been resident here for a minimum of three months. 

Similarly, the rules for accessing chômage (unemployment benefits) have not changed yet. Currently, you must have worked for at least six months out of the last 24 months to be eligible, as well as meeting other criteria including how you left your previous job.

This may change in the future, however, with the French government poised to reform the unemployment system again.

READ MORE: How France plans cuts to its generous unemployment system

Which benefits are affected?

The old-age benefit – or the ASPA – will apply the new nine month requirement. Previously, people needed to be in France for at least six months out of the year to qualify.

If you receive this benefit already, you will probably get a letter in the mail in the near future informing you of the change – this is a form letter and does not necessarily mean that your benefits will change.

If you are already a recipient – and you live in France for at least nine months out of the year – then you do not need to worry about your access to the ASPA changing.

If you want to access this benefit, it is available to certain foreigners, even though it is intended to help elderly (over 65) French citizens with low state pensions.

It is only available to foreigners who have been living legally in France for at least 10 years, and starting in 2025 you will need to spend nine out of 12 months a year in France. You can find more information at THIS French government website.

Otherwise, prestations familiales, or family benefits will be affected by the new nine month residency rule. These are available to foreigners with valid residency cards, as long as their children also live in France.

This includes the family allowance (given out by CAF), which is available for families on low incomes with more than two children, as well as the ‘Prime à la Naissance’, which is a means-tested one-off allowance paid in the seventh month of pregnancy to effectively help with the start-up costs of becoming a parent, will also be affected by the new nine month residency rule. 

READ MORE: France’s family benefit system explained

If you receive these benefits already, then you will likely receive a letter explaining the changes shortly.

And finally – the RSA, which is the top-up benefit for people with little to no income, was already held to the nine month standard, so there will be no residency-related changes.

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