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Apr 24

Looking to Move to France Post Brexit ?

Moving to France Post Brexit

Question:

Dear Alex,

My partner and I are looking to move to France but are really confused about whether we have enough money to be accepted into the country after Brexit.

Our situation is that I am 55 and on a drawdown. pension which will expire in 2025 whereupon then my partner's pension will then kick into action. All told we have around £50,000 inclusive of my pension and once our house is sold we will be purchasing a house in France outright.

We are also looking to acquire a gite to renovate and rent out. Neither of us work at present (through choice).

We would be living on £50,000 for 2 years until my partner's pension comes into play when he is 55.

Would our respectives situations suit entry to the country?

Thank you very much for any information you can supply in this regard.

Kind regards, Ann-Marie.

Answer:

Hi Ann-Marie,

Many thanks for your message,

Obviously I am not an expert on these matters, but I understand that the minimum income requirement is 2,273 euros per month for a couple without children. As fas as I know there are not rules around savings, but here is some further info about visas along with a link to the French government website, which hopefully will be useful to you,

VLS-T (Visiteur) – The visa de long séjour temporaire ‘visiteur’ (VLS-T Visiteur) entitles you to stay for between three and six months, so this is the visa type that will be most useful to second home owners hoping to spend the warmer months of the year in France. You must leave France when it runs out but can reapply on an annual basis from the UK.

VLS-TS (Visiteur) – The visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour ‘visiteur’ (VLS-TS Visiteur) entitles you to stay for between six months and a year and is equivalent to a residence permit. This is the type of visa that will be particularly useful to people who want to try out France before moving there, although it does not permit you to work. On arrival in France, you must validate this visa through the French immigration office (OFII). You will have to pay a fee understood to be around €200 and the OFII reserves the right to call you for a meeting to carry out other formalities such as a medical examination and/or welcome visit. In the two months before the VLS-TS expires, you have the option of submitting a residence permit application to your local préfecture.

What are the requirements?

To obtain either of these long-stay visas, you must apply online and undergo an interview at a French Consular office in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Both types of visa cost €99 (about £86) and there may also be a smaller service fee. You’ll be required to provide several documents and assurances, including that you won’t engage in any professional activity during your stay.

If your spouse or long-term partner is an EU citizen, you will still to apply for a visa but it likely that it will be more straightforward than if you are not in such a relationship.

At the interview, you will need to:

- Show your passport was issued less than 10 years ago and that it will still be valid at least three months after the expiry date of the visa you’re requesting

- Provide a passport photo

- Promise not to undertake any professional activity in France and prove your socio-economic situation (eg working/retired)

- Show you have travel health insurance for the duration of the visa’s validity

- Provide proof of your property title or rental agreement. If you are staying with hosts, you must prove that they are resident in France.

- Provide the last three months’ worth of bank statements for your UK current account, showing your full name and address, and proving you have enough funds for the whole duration of the trip (see below), or traveller’s cheques presenting the same guarantees. If you are financially sponsored by your spouse/partner, you must provide a marriage certificate and your partner’s bank statements.

Cdlt et Regards, SHARON.

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Apr 19

Sometimes Bad News can be Good News

Pound surges on ugly UK inflation

Yes indeed - bad news can be Good News, for currencies anyway.

This morning the UK inflation rate has held above 10%.

While not great for the economy, it has given the Pound a big boost.

In recent times, currencies have been underpinned by expectations of more interest rate increases.

That trend continues.

You would have to say the overall trend in GBP/USD is positive and GBP/EUR is choppy with a negative bias.

Put simply, the Pound looks to be doing well against the US Dollar but is struggling against the Euro.

Those looking to buy Euros or US Dollars with their Pounds...

You may wish to take advantage of the bounce in the Pound today.

So what next, what should you do?

If you have upcoming requirements, please get in touch so we can discuss target rates and market trends.

To speak to a member of our team, call us on 01872 487 500.

Or to find out the latest exchange rates, click below.

Get a Quick Quote

Benefits of using Key Currency:

  1. Great exchange rates
  2. Quick and easy transfers
  3. No transfer fees
  4. Expert help and guidance
  5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 19th April 2023 at 12:45

£1.00 GBP = 1.1353 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2398 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.8503 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.0060 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6675 CAD

  • Want to Learn More?

  • We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.
  • Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

    Brexit Guide Download

  • Need to Send Money Abroad?

    • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
    • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
    • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Cle France Currency Guide link

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

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Apr 13

Big Day for Pound Sterling Today

Same, the same but different.

That would sum up currency markets at the moment.

All the major currencies face the same two issues: inflation and interest rates.

But the UK, EU and US look to be at different stages in the cycle.

The UK is expected to be nearing the end of interest rate hikes.

Markets are pricing in an 80% chance of a 0.25% hike at the May meeting. That may prove to be the top.

In contrast, the European Central Bank is still beating the drum for much higher rates, there’s even talk of a 0.5% rise.

And the US is somewhere in between. A few more small hikes perhaps.

It’s important for currencies because higher interest rates lead to higher currency values.

In terms of reading the tea leaves, look out for UK GDP today, it is an important number.

The UK economy looks to be on firmer footing these days (limping not crawling along).

A strong reading should give Sterling a lift.

So what next, what should you do?

Any clients with requirements, please make sure to get in touch with the team in advance.

That way we can let you know if exchange rates move in your favour.

To find out the latest rates, click below.

Get a Quick Quote

Benefits of using Key Currency:

  1. Great exchange rates
  2. Quick and easy transfers
  3. No transfer fees
  4. Expert help and guidance
  5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Thursday 13th April 2023 at 10:10

£1.00 GBP = 1.1387 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2284 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.8350 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9754 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6834 CAD

  • Want to Learn More?

  • We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.
  • Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

    Brexit Guide Download

  • Need to Send Money Abroad?

    • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
    • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
    • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Cle France Currency Guide link

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

Add CommentViews: 817
Mar 31

Episode 17 - Building a Competitive Economy For Europe

For those of you already living in France, or planning to do so at some point in the future, you might find this series of ‘Europe Chats’ of interest.

This latest episode of EuropeChats is a discussion between Michele Chang, a Professor at the College of Europe in Bruges, and TEPSA Secretary-General Jim Cloos.

The discussion focusses on building a competitive economy for Europe. It gives an insight into what the EU is going to do to shore up its economy (& the euro) in a context of financial instability worldwide (Credit Suisse, energy prices, inflation, etc.) if this is the state of the currency market now, what might happen in future?

Take a look and feel free to 'Like' and subscribe and or leave a comment.

We hope you find it interesting.

Episode 17 - Building a Competitive Economy For Europe.

Premiered on 30.03 2023

Click on the Video image below to watch the Episode

EuropeChats Episode 17

Want to understand more about GBP Sterling and the Euro ?

In our Free Guide you get expert advice about the process of Currency Exchange and much more.

Download the Guide

Whether you’re buying or selling a property abroad or paying international bills, we recommend getting a Free Quote from our currency desk.

Get a Quick Quote

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Add CommentViews: 1001
Mar 22

Currency Market Update - 22nd March 2023

Pound shaky ahead of rate decision

A couple of big events happening this week…

Later today, we have an interest rate decision in the US.

The Fed is expected to raise rates by 0.25%.

This will have consequences all around the world as many countries are forced to ‘follow the leader’ in order to keep their currencies stable.

On Thursday, it’s the Bank of England’s turn.

Normally UK interest rates decisions are well-flagged ahead of meetings, but this one is highly uncertain.

Markets have been pricing in a 44% chance of no change versus a 56% chance of a 0.25% increase.

Interestingly, the Pound has shown some weakness ahead of the meeting.

Warning: No change would be bad news for the Pound.

As for the Euro, most of the focus remains on the banking system.

The collapse of Credit Suisse has dented confidence in the Euro area.

So what next, what should you do?

Right now, it’s about trying to get that story off the front page. Nothing to see here folks etc.

Lots going on, as always.

If you have currency requirements and would like to discuss your situation, feel free to speak to a member of our team on 01872 487 500.

Or to find out the latest rates, click below.

Get a Quick Quote

Benefits of using Key Currency:

  1. Great exchange rates
  2. Quick and easy transfers
  3. No transfer fees
  4. Expert help and guidance
  5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 22nd March 2023 at 10:00

£1.00 GBP = 1.1387 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2284 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.8350 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9754 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6834 CAD

  • Want to Learn More?

  • We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.
  • Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

    Brexit Guide Download

  • Need to Send Money Abroad?

    • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
    • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
    • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Cle France Currency Guide link

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

Add CommentViews: 972

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