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lebono

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  1. If I was living in France, I wouldn't bother starting a business as I would be getting my French 'hit' merely by living there. The small, essentially non-profit business, is just a way of spending more time in France with the added fun of running a small, part-time enterprise. I certainly have no desire to run a full-time business under the new auto-entrepreneur system. It's pleasing that the French are now, at last, recognising the importance of encouraging small businesses but I'm afraid that they have a very long way to go to match the essentally laissez-faire British model. When I started my own business 30 years ago, I rented an empty shop, purchased some stock and opened for business. All I had to do then was to notify the tax, VAT and local authorities of my existence in order to pay my various dues. I needed no-one's permission to get started.
  2. The main point is that I can cope perfectly easily with the UK bureaucracy because a) I understand it & b) I was in business for 25 years and had to deal with Inland Revenue and VAT on a regular basis and always found them straightforward and helpful. I have read much about the French application of bureaucracy and it just doesn't cut the mustard. One always has the feeling that it's bureaucrat first and citizen a poor second. To be perfectly honest, I have far better ways to spend my time.
  3. Thank you everyone for your replies. To clarify - 1. On many holiday parks in the UK, chalets and some caravans are sold new but with a limited life on the site of 20 or 25 years. After that, you either have to remove it or demolish it. 2. Yes the business would be UK based and subject to the UK tax regime. 3. What I'm trying to achieve is to spend long periods in France without having a legal requirement to register in any way with the French system.
  4. I've just returned from a 4 month stay in France, investigating the possibility of moving to France. Despite this being a long-term ambition and having found a nice general location, I have decided not to make the move. As many others over the age of 60 will understand, time gets far more precious as one gets older and I couldn't bear the thought of wasting this valuable resource in exasperating trips to and from various administrative centres and dealing with possibly intransigent and unhelpful bureaucrats. I suppose I've just left it a bit too late. There are also inheritance tax issues as I have no blood relatives - 60%!!!!  - plus one or two smaller problems. As a result, I had decided to just spend more and longer holidays over there in order to get my French fix, with the possibility of running a small UK based business aimed at the golfing hoilday market. However, having just got round to reading this month's edition of French Property News on the subject of mobile homes, I am starting to have third thoughts! I am hoping forum members can clarify some matters before I do anything further. 1. Is it the case in France that mobile homes already sited, have a set lifetime, after which one has to move on or buy another? 2. Do the same rules apply regarding French residence i.e. after 3 months one registers and becomes subject to French taxation laws (assuming one has a residence in the UK)? 3. Would I be able to spend just under 6 months in France without having to register? Hopefully, you can see what I'm trying to achieve and I would be most grateful for any help.
  5. Thanks Sweet, I figured it was something like your explanation but I couldn't quite figure it out. Of course 'le temps (m)' also means time as well as weather, so you can sort of see how the phrase has developed in order to avoid confusion.
  6. Why isn't it = Quelle heure est-elle?
  7. I've got to say I'm puzzled. I had heard that s/h cars were more expensive in France and this thread seems to support it. What I find hard to comprehend is the apparent difference in the levels of depreciation in the two countries. As far as I am aware, the cost of new cars in both countries are broadly similar (perhaps I am wrong in this assumption?). So, starting with a one year-old car, you would expect that there should be a reasonably substantial drop in value - if not, why would you buy s/h? This should be repeated down through the years. So what's happening in France? For comparison purposes, in 2007 I bought an 1800 Mondeo (1996), sunroof,electric windows & mirrors, multi-change CD player/radio with a 12 month MOT and in excellent overall condition. Price? £350 And yes, I've still got it!
  8. I'm in the very early stages of moving to France but would appreciate it if my understanding is correct. I have a 2007 Piaggio 125 scooter. UK registered. Main dial in KPH (inner - mph) and twin lights - RH=dip, LH=main. If I want to take this over for permanent use in France, from what I've read, the bike is OK and needs no mods but obviously most of the paperwork will still have to be dealt with. Have I got this right?
  9. I'm currently looking for a winter let. Have a look at my website. www.chezmoi.moonfruit.com
  10. Thanks everyone for your advice and good wishes. I feel much happier in my mind now. I can guarantee that this is only the first of many queries as I attempt to follow my dream.   John  
  11. Thanks for the feedback. The question is certainly not one of residency or tax but of the permitted length of visit. I  suspect that this is a rule still on the books from before the relevant European Union act of free access and so it tends to rear its head from time to time. I suppose the acid test is - Has anyone (non-resident) ever had a problem with staying for longer than 90 days?  I guess not but I really don't want to get the whole adventure off to a bad start by upsetting the French authorities!      
  12. Hello everyone, This is my first post and I hope that someone can clarify a small point. I am about to start my long-planned move to France and my first task is to spend some time in the country this winter seeking out suitable locations. I had intended to stay for 4 or 5 months using a winter let. However, I have just read that I can only stay for a maximum of 90 days before I have to return home for at least another 90 day period before returning. Is this right? There was also a reference to the Carte de Sejour which, I must admit, I thought had ceased to exist. It appears that they may be available for longer stays but automatically become defunct if you leave the country for more than 6 months (How would they know?) which seems to defeat the object. Most grateful if anyone could shed some light.
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