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Loading ...FRANCE - COST OF LIVING
The cost of living in France is supposedly 65% of the cost of living in Britain. As in most countries it is cheaper to live in the countryside or a small town or city than in Paris or one of the major cities. For the average British family of four relocating to France I think you will find your yearly expenditure comparable to your British expenses.
Most Brits who move to France buy older properties in need of renovation. Homes in general are cheaper than in Britain. However, unless you take a truck load of supplies and do the work yourself be prepared for it to be more expensive to purchase DIY materials in France. Labour in France works out more expensive since they are allowed to work only a 35 hour week and the average day includes a 2 hour lunch. So work moves along at a slower pace and although the workmanship might be the same it will take longer and therefore cost more to get the job done.
Again most people relocating to France live in rural areas. The quality of life may be wonderful but it comes at a cost. You need at least one car and possibly two with all the usual expenses involved. Also France being rather a large country by comparison to Britain distances to the shops etc might be quite considerable so costing more in travel expenses whether you use your own car, the bus if available or a taxi again if available.
Grocery shopping for wine, pate, fresh produce and cheese is somewhat cheaper than the UK. This is very attractive to holiday makers who take home an abundance of French food products on their return to the UK. If you are doing a normal weekly shop on the other hand you may find cleaning products, toiletries and imported items to be more expensive. Add in the cost of VAT and there really isn’t saving to be made.
Depending on where you live and the type of heating you have the costs can be generally higher. If you live in the South of France and have access to gas it will be much the same price as the UK. But, you will have additional costs in summer on your electricity bill if you have air conditioning. In rural areas and the North you will likely have electric heating, diesel fuel or wood. All of which are expensive when you are living there full time.
Taxes in France are higher and if you are self employed apart from the taxes there are numerous social services to contribute to. Being self employed in France is a whole article in itself and I will research and write about this in the future. Also check out my article on ”Where Not To Die” and research French Inheritance Laws and see how they apply to you and your family.
Medical care is excellent, for those relocating to France from the EU you should receive medical care if you have the necessary documents. The EHIC card is usable for 2 years. It is advisable to take out private medical insurance for the whole family if you plan on staying long term. I won’t give prices as they vary so much given the many variables in a family’s circumstances. However the cheapest I have seen for full cover for an individual is 1500 euros per year. Also Medical info is changing rapidly at the moment as the new President is making some changes which will affect those already in France and those who are retiring to France before retirement age. I will update these pages when I know the situation for sure but in the meantime check this out carefully as it may affect your decision to move.
Property taxes seem to be lower but if you have moved from a small but expensive house in the UK and you buy a large farm house with several acres of course the bill will probably be higher. Check these costs out thoroughly before you buy your lovely French home.
All in all it depends on each family’s individual circumstances. If you enjoy holidaying in France and plan to move there permanently, do a thorough cost of the everyday price of the things you usually purchase. Food, clothing, utilities, taxes, petrol and medical care should be on your list of costs to compare. Then if you have a fair idea of what your income will be in France you will have a better idea of what your circumstances will be. Personally I think things average out about the same but you will be living in a beautiful country, probably in the home of your dreams and living a more relaxed lifestyle.
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