Post-Brexit Guide for British Nationals in France

Yes. Since Brexit, UK nationals are third-country nationals and need a residence permit (carte de séjour) to live in France. If you were legally resident in France before 31 December 2020, you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and should have a carte de séjour portant la mention 'Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni'. If you arrived after 1 January 2021, you need a standard long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) and then a carte de séjour through the regular process.

Form S1 is the standard route for UK pensioners. The S1 (issued by the NHS Business Services Authority) entitles you to the same French healthcare coverage as French residents, funded by the UK. You register at your local CPAM with your S1. If you are not a pensioner and arrived after Brexit, you may need private health insurance until you qualify for PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie) after 3 months of stable residence.

UK driving licences are recognised for driving in France for up to 1 year after establishing residency. After that, you must exchange your UK licence for a French one via the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés) platform. The exchange is possible thanks to a reciprocal agreement between France and the UK signed in June 2023. You do not need to take a driving test. Processing times vary but typically take 3-6 months.

Under the Franco-British Double Taxation Convention, UK government pensions (civil service, NHS, teachers, police, etc.) are taxed only in the UK. Private and state pensions are generally taxable in your country of residence — France. You must declare your UK pension income on your French tax return (formulaire 2047 for foreign income). A 10% abatement applies, similar to French pensions. The UK tax deducted can usually be credited against your French tax liability to avoid double taxation.

Since Brexit, the EU pet passport is no longer valid for pets travelling from the UK. You need: (1) a microchip, (2) a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), (3) an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian in the UK no more than 10 days before travel, and (4) tapeworm treatment for dogs 1-5 days before entry into France. The AHC is valid for a single trip and 4 months of onward travel within the EU.

Withdrawal Agreement (WA) beneficiaries are UK nationals who were legally resident in France (or an EU country) before 31 December 2020. They retain most of their pre-Brexit rights: right to live and work, access to healthcare (via S1 or affiliation), and equal treatment. They receive a specific carte de séjour marked 'Accord de retrait'. New arrivals (after 1 January 2021) are treated as third-country nationals: they need a visa to enter France for long stays, must meet standard immigration criteria, and follow the regular titre de séjour process.