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As a US citizen hoping to live part of the year in France, the thought of all that paperwork can seem overwhelming. But obtaining a visa to get to France is often easier than people think.

For those heading in from the US for less than 90 days it is not necessary to obtain a visa, but those planning a longer trip will have to apply.

To do this, you will need a signed passport which remains valid three months after the last planned day of stay in France, as well as three photocopies for the consulate to keep hold of.

Also needed are four long stay visa application forms as well as five recent passport size photographs.

US citizens will also have to provide some kind of financial guarantee such as a formal letter of reference from the bank showing account numbers and balances or recent statements.

Those wishing to retire to France will need to prove they have a sufficient pension and savings to live on and provide documentation to show this.

You will also need proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France as well as a document from your local police department that you have no criminal record.

The …

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All those who have moved and are working in France are expected to contribute to the country’s social security system.

The system allows for everyone who is living in the country to benefit regardless of age, nationality or job status.

A number of critics have cited the system as being somewhat complex, particularly in terms of trying to start up a new firm if you have arrived into the country.

It is currently divided into three parts, including health, family and retirement which all have different structures and ways of working.

In terms of health, the system provides a large amount of money for any medical need on the basis of a standard cost.

The family system provides benefits to all families regardless of how much they earn and also includes a number of day-to-day services.

When a family is expecting a child, the parents receive around 2,000 euros in three installments with the fist two handed out at the first medical checks during pregnancy and the final one at birth.

The parents will then be handed a monthly allowance of around 100 euros per month until the child is 20 years old.

Those who have retired are provided with a minimal pension which is usually …

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Finding work after buying your French property doesn’t have to be a struggle but most firms will expect you to have done your homework before turning up for an interview.

France has a relatively high unemployment rate but there are still a number of sectors which are desperate for staff, especially for those who can speak both languages.

More specifically, workers in telecommunications, hotels and restaurants are particularly in demand plus administrational staff such as secretaries and accountants.

English teachers are also needed across the country as well as personnel in the building industry.

Ideally you should have a good grasp of the French language before applying for jobs and there are a number of short courses and private tutorial opportunities available to get up to speed.

As with the UK, employers will generally want to see a CV with any previous employment on it so ensure this is up to date and printed legibly. The French CV is on one A4 page size only, much more concise than the English version.

Minimum wage in France, known as Salaire Minimum Interprofessionel de Croissance is indexed to the cost of living and increases periodically. …

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You may have finally got your hands on that perfect French property but getting the beloved family pets out there may prove a struggle unless you get to grips with the rules.

The EU has recently introduced new laws for the importation of domestic animals and since 2004 there are three main conditions which must be met.

For any cat, dog, ferret or carnivorous mammal, owners must provide identification for their pet, be this a clearly readable tattoo or microchip under the skin.

A valid vaccination against rabies must also be carried out which includes the first injection and boosters. These will both be recorded it the animal’s passport which is needed to get into France.

This EU pet passport, which confirms a rabies vaccination has been delivered by a government approved vet, will also provide certifications of others vaccinations done in the past.

Despite this, the valid rabies vaccination is, in fact, the sole requirement for pets from the UK to enter into France.

Kittens and puppies under three months old cannot be vaccinated for the disease and are therefore banned from coming into the country.

Vets in France also advise that treatments for tapeworms and ticks are carried out for the health …

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You may have purchased the perfect French property but attention also needs to be paid to your car.

All vehicles in France must be insured whether they are used regularly or not and once you have taken out a policy, you will be handed a certificate which must be displayed in your window.

This will prove the validity of your insurance policy and must be on show at all times in accordance with French law.

Drivers are advised never to leave insurance documents or registration details in the glove compartment even though they are required to have them to hand at all times.

This is because if your car is stolen and you cannot produce these papers, even if the reason is because they were in the car at the time it was taken, your insurer is under no obligation to honour the contract.

As well as the above documents, your insurer should also issue you with a separate form which is there to be filled in in the case of an accident.

This provides space for insurance details, a written and graphic description of the accident and it must be completed and signed by both you and the other party involved.

Both parties send their …

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So you’ve got you hands on that perfect French property but how will you enjoy the country without the proper transportation?

Buying a car in France doesn’t have to be a chore, in fact, although prices are more similar to those in the UK than they used to be, you are still more likely to get a better deal with a French car.

Automatics are rare in France which makes them more difficult to get fixed and less likely to retain their value.

Also, used car firms are not as widely available as they are in the UK with most people preferring to sell privately. When in France, it is difficult to go on a drive without noticing signs in numerous windows announcing that the car is up for grabs and the details of the owner inside.

Once your car has been purchased it is important to get it registered which is dealt with by the ‘Prefecture’.

Currently, the last two numbers on the number plate indicate the area or ‘departement’ you live in but this system is said to be changing soon.

If you buy a car outside of the area in which you live then you will have to get a …

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