Ade100

[quote user="Sprogster"] The main destinations are ... France 36,000, ...[/quote] So there are 36,000 Brits in France and according to this article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1582913/Nicolas-Sarkozy-fails-to-win-back-Britains-French-community.html), 300,000 French people in London alone: "Numerically speaking, London is France's sixth largest city after Nice, with a population of up to 300,000 French residents." It's always worth pointing out when you hear French people complaining there are too many Brits in their country.

Well there is a long stay visitor visa. We came from Singapore so I only klnow what is on the website of the French Embassy in Singapore: http://www.ambafrance-sg.org/spip.php?article945 I am sure such visas must be available to all nationalities so I would recommend checking with the FR Embassy in your country.

[quote user="5-element"]And when 73% (or was it 79%?) French people are apparently claiming they want to "changer de vie" as they are unhappy with their lot... (I heard it on TV yesterday, so it must be true...) [/quote] Yes and I remember hearing on that French game show, Union Libre, that the Frenchies consume more anti-depressants than any other EU nation. But then again perhaps the Brits are too busy mainlining crack and snorting cocaine to bother with anti-depressants. :-)

[quote user="Ade100"]I recently shipped my stuff from Singapore to Marseilles and it was an absolute nightmare due to FR customs. Your plan to go via the UK might work. I would assume UK customs will not be so Draconian. Then when you bring the stuff into France you are moving within the EU which probably does not have the same restrictions. I'll be interested to hear how it goes. [/quote] I have just confirmed this from the French Customs website: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=59 They say: Vous venez d'un pays membre de l’Union européenneLorsque vous effectuez un déménagement vers la France depuis un pays de l’Union européenne, il n’y a aucune formalité douanière particulière à accomplir So if you are coming from the UK, no formalities at customs. Looks like your plan is a good one. I wish I knew about this before I engaged in my fiasco at Marseilles. Good luck

The French government are in compliance with EU law. They have every right under EU legislation to expel the Roma assuming they have been in France for longer than 3 months. The EU Free movement Directive (2004/38/EC) states that EU citizens may reside in another member state for up to 3 months, without conditions. However, stays of longer have conditions: The citizen must be working, studying or have enough funds to avoid being a burden on the state. The EU have no grounds to criticise France when EU law is being respected. Whether or not we like or dislike the Roma, their ethnic origins, the colour of their skin, etc are all irrelevant. This is simply a case of compliance with EU legislation.

I recently shipped my stuff from Singapore to Marseilles and it was an absolute nightmare due to FR customs. I had to prove to them that I was changing my residence principal from Singapore to France. I had to show them work contracts in Singapore, deeds to my flat in Singapore, rental agreements to show I was letting the place out, Singapore ID card, work contract in France, rental agreement in France, French carte de sejour, electricity bills, internet bills, attestations from work, etc. They refused to give me the stuff on the first visit. Second visit they looked like they were going to refuse again. It was only when I made a passionate speech in French about how I was so glad to be back due to the climate, the food, the culture and ended with "Vive la France", that they let me have my stuff back. Your plan to go via the UK might work. I would assume UK customs will not be so Draconian. Then when you bring the stuff into France you are moving within the EU which probably does not have the same restrictions. I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

Nationality is a factor but in general, yes for Switzerland and no for the UK. Info on the Schengen countries here: http://www.schengenplus.eu/space.html

I agree with Cicero but just a footnote. When French people bring a non-EU family member to France, French law prevails. However for a citizen of another EU country, EU law prevails which is not so strict. So no medical exam, interview or language test is required.

EU citizens have the right to live in any member state with their non-EU family members (http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/education_training_youth/lifelong_learning/l33152_en.htm). In France, a non-EU spouse must apply for a carte de sejour at the local Prefecture. However this residency permit is a right and cannot normally be refused. The procedure for applying differs slightly but the Nice Prefecture website has some details on which documents will be required.

So according to the website of the French Administration (http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F2213.xhtml), the main condition is to have lived in France on a regular basis for the last five years. The type of visa does not appear to be relevant. "Le demandeur doit avoir sa résidence en France au moment de la signature du décret de naturalisation et doit justifier d'un séjour régulier. Par ailleurs, il doit remplir une "condition de stage", sauf exception (réduction ou dispense de stage), à savoir justifier d'une résidence habituelle en France pendant les 5 années qui précèdent le dépôt de sa demande. Cette résidence doit avoir été régulière au regard de la réglementation sur le séjour des étrangers en France." There is also mention of being able to speak French and to have a good knowledge of the rights and obligations of French citizens.

I was at the Prefecture recently and was told that while EU citizens no longer have to have a Carte de Sejour, they can apply for one at their local Mairie.