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Expat Post Brexit vote

(16 Posts)
specki4eyes Wed 06-Jul-16 13:47:18

As a British Subject (and ardent Remainer - yes I did vote) living in France who came to live here purely and simply because being in Europe meant I could; I'm now planning to become naturalised in France so that I can remain European. Are any other Gransnet expats planning this?

TriciaF Wed 06-Jul-16 14:46:13

Not yet, but it might come to that.
I would prefer to return to the UK, if this stupid Brexit does go through, but husband wants to stay. He's never managed to master the language so would find the tests difficult ( France.)
We're beginning to feel the pinch financially already.

Tegan Wed 06-Jul-16 14:55:31

You really shouldn't be having to make these decisions.

MargaretX Wed 06-Jul-16 15:10:15

I have lived in Germany and have been a German citzen for years. We can have Dual Citzenship in Germany but I don't know about France.I only know that the rules concerning dual citzenship are connected to being in the EU. If you want it in France you should start now while the UK is still bound to its laws.
This brexit is going to cost me thousands of Euros over the years and seems unfair but I'm still far better off here than in the UK. I can sypathise with many I, too want my (home) country back but I fear it has gone forever.

Mamie Wed 06-Jul-16 16:35:37

There is no language test for over 65s Tricia but you do have an interview with the gendarmes. I will start my dossier (sighs), which involves ordering lots of parental birth, marriage, death certificates, but will probably hold off until after the May elections to submit it.I don't think we will need it to stay in France, but our son is in Spain and you never know where we might end up.

Christinefrance Wed 06-Jul-16 16:38:42

TriciaF if you are over 60 or maybe 65 you don't have to be fluent for French citizenship. However thinks it's a difficult process as with all french bureaucracy.
We are waiting to see what happens but now can't afford to buy property in UK as house prices here in the Limousin have dropped 40%.
I have concerns about care in old age here in France especially if either of us develops dementia as mental health care here is abysmal. All other health care is brilliant of course.
Think I will just stick my head back in the sand for a while.

Mamie Wed 06-Jul-16 16:47:55

A friend of mine has almost finished the process. She said it was mostly a paper collecting exercise and the gendarme asked about integration, finances, hobbies and how she got on with neighbours.
I think there is quite a lot of ADMR support for older people (I was on the committee for that on the Conseil Municipal). Some of the Maison de Retraite look quite jolly, but I agree that family support is expected.

specki4eyes Wed 06-Jul-16 17:01:07

Yes I learned this morning that over 65's are exempt from the language diploma proofs. A friend has just sent me the link for the written exam, so I will post that when I've seen it. I don't WANT to go back to the UK - I just wanted things to stay as they were and not have my life decimated by the likes of those duplicitous cowards, Johnson and Farage - the rats who then left the sinking ship.

Welshwife Wed 06-Jul-16 17:16:04

Hi Speckie nice to hear from you but I wish it was on a less worrying subject.
It is worrying but also a damn nuisance when we thought we were settled until we wished to move. It might be easier to go for a CarteSejour which you needed before we were full EU members and if I remember correctly was fairly easy to get. My Aussie friend has one which needs to be renewed every ten years.
We have another option which is to apply for an Irish passport which we can do through DH's father but that would not solve the problem with reciprocal health care provision. I find that the most worrying aspect of all. Does anyone know how that would work if you became French citizens - and also UK Govt pensions - could be nasty if they stopped that too!!!

TriciaF Wed 06-Jul-16 18:21:58

christine "stick head back in sand for a while* - that's what we're doing at the moment.
Hoping and praying that public opinion changes in the UK, either by another referendum, or the necessity to have a vote in Parliament .
I sincerely believe in the EU, in spite of its faults, as a movement for peace , to avoid further European wars.Which is why it was originally formed.

Mamie Wed 06-Jul-16 18:29:54

As far as health cover is concerned it would be the CMU and pay 8% of income over a threshold of c10k€.
Carte de séjour would almost certainly be needed.
UK pensions wouldn't stop but might no longer be index linked.
We lost 375€ on the monthly transfer this month. Less tax to pay next year though!
hmm

TriciaF Wed 06-Jul-16 18:34:43

Mamie - "less tax to pay" .
Good point. Last tax year we had to pay tax for the first time. Also no exoneration for the house taxes (except that there was a very strange refund later.)

granjura Wed 06-Jul-16 18:35:47

3 month transfer will happen on the 12th - bracing ourselves. We will probably pay a LOT less tax next year that is for sure.

We both have dual nationality.

Welshwife Wed 06-Jul-16 19:20:06

Tricia there was a strange thing last year - for the first two years we were resident we paid none or little tax and because of that no Habitation tax. Last year we did pay it but after I had paid the bill I saw that for some reason I didn't understand people who had not paid Habitation for the previous year (2014 I think) there would be no tax to pay 2015 or 16 - we had a letter last Autumn and reimbursement last March.

granjura Wed 06-Jul-16 20:30:01

Well they say 'every cloud' ... DD1 on the phone tonight- and it seems my dreams might come true - so sad that about the circumstances though.

TriciaF Wed 06-Jul-16 20:33:27

Same here. I went into the tax office when we first got the bill, and they said it was because our income had gone up (improved exchange rate.) But the govt. for some reason had made a new regulation that those who suddenly had to pay would get a reprieve for a year or 2.Not at all typical for France.