Aidie

Could anyone recommend an English-speaking architecture in the Dinan/Brittany area? Thanks!

I had some euros in a DAT Booste 3-month account, which is ending soon. I also have other money that I soon will transfer to CA from overseas. But what would be my best options to place this Booste (7,000 euros) amount, and indeed other future transfers (the latter presumably first to DAT Booste 3-month, then into other accounts)? At present I have: Livre A @ 1.75% DAT Booste @ 4.30% Other account options I've been offered: DAT 5-year term account @ 2.7663% PEL @ 2.50 Other factors: 1. A little worried to tie money up overlong until sure of the euros survival, but... 2. Otherwise it's fine to tie it in for up to 5 years 3. I won't need a mortgage (a plus for PEL, I believe) Can anyone advise of pros and cons of the above. All input much appreciated. Aidie

"Savings accounts are beneficial for those who don’t want much interest rate.There are many other options rather than savings account." Can you give some examples (not high risk ones)?

There are, once again, worrying scare stories about the euro/Eurozone in danger over the debt situation in Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Spain, etc. In a worst case scenario, what could or would a collapse of the euro mean for euro bank account savings in France? Euros wouldn't be much use outside France, but what would it mean in terms of use within the country?

[quote user="tinabee"]You might also consider a French "Assurance Vie" - not a life insurance but a long-term savings vehicle. Have a look here for some info http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2273621/ShowPost.aspx [/quote] Thanks, but no good for me. I'm outside the EU, so not allowed to buy Assurance Vie.

I've just recently opened an account with CA (from current location outside the EU) and plan to transfer best part of my salary there over the years ahead prior to retirement in France. CA contacted me about putting the money into either: 1. Livret A @ 1.75% minimum deposit of 10€ and maximum 15300€ 2. DAT Booste term deposit account blocked for 3 months @ 4.3% minimum deposit 5000€ and maximum deposit 50 000€. "This account is only available for new money arriving on the account which is your case. The money is returned to your current account after the 3 months with the interest paid." Any thoughts on these options, and are there any better ways (within the banking system) that don't involve risking the stock market? This is purely long-term savings, not for ready access. Thanks

[quote user="Gardian"][quote user="Aidie"] Thanks, I'll relax and put the whiskey away for the time being, then... [/quote] Just as a matter of interest, has it turned up yet? [/quote] Yes. Panic over. Sent Friday and arrived Tuesday/Wednesday.

[quote user="tonyv"]Whenever I make a transfer of that kind from the UK, it takes two to three days to show up. I'd say it's definitely a bit early to start panicking! [/quote] Thanks, I'll relax and put the whiskey away for the time being, then...

How long does it usually take for a wire transfer (around 8,000 Euros) from outside the EU to my France Aquitaine CA account online? I did my first transfer this morning and getting twitchy as it's not showing up 9 hours later (compared with transfers to my HSBC UK account, which show up within hours).

My French is rustier than I thought. Can anyone clarify the meaning of the following terms in a document just received from my CA newly opened account? Code Etablissement Code Guichet Releve d'identite Bancaire Thanks.

[quote user="Gardian"][quote user="Aidie"]I will have full UK State pension, so entitlement to E121, as far as I can tell. [/quote] You'd do worse than check with Newcastle: just takes a phone call.  Your (presumably current) residence outside of the EU might complicate things.  Hopefully not, but best to check. Top-up 'mutuelle' would be highly desirable, if not essential. Apart from that, you'll be moving to live with family over here, so just your contribution towards outgoings. Your tax liability will be negligible, but does need to be declared as and when. Not hard: ask on here for help if needed. You can move your pension over monthly (through a money broker - plenty of info on here), or direct via UK DWP.  As for advice on where to put your capital, I couldn't begin to advise, but the previous suggestion to contact your bank over here, sounds good. I suspect that you don't want 'risky', just safe (even if less than perfect). Again, a money broker will move the lump sum for you when you choose.  Doubt that you'd have any tax liability anywhere. [;-)] Hope that helps.   [/quote] Yes, it certainly does. I'll check out what you suggest.

[quote user="Gengulphus"][quote user="Aidie"]what would I need to do or have needed to do prior to moving to avoid tax or other liabilities? …will look at these Assurance Vie's that I've heard a lot about if they'd be a good deal to protect some Euros over the years. [/quote] If your concern extends as far as minimizing your liability to inheritance tax, it would be prudent to take advice as to whether it would be helpful to set up an assurance vie before becoming resident in France. I missed out on this highly advantageous possibility, alas… [/quote] Yes, I'm planning to take a look at the Assurance Vie, thanks.

[quote user="Gardian"]My first reaction is that a little bit more information is needed for anyone to be able to begin to advise you, i.e. Will you already have bought a property & the €200k+ is what you see as being the remainder? Will you have an occupational pension entitlement? Having become a French resident, you will be liable to assessment for tax here: if your income is solely a UK State pension and the income from your capital, then your liability is likely to be small.  However, your income would be small too and top-up health insurance doesn't come cheap. Do you (as a UK pensioner) have entitlement to an E121?  Have you checked? That's for starters - others will have more thoughts no doubt.  [/quote] Yes, Euro 200,000+ clear. No property to pay for, mortgage, as will be living with family, so everyday costs also should be fairly moderate. That figure is cash 'in bank' savings, and will be transferred to France in lumps of around 30-40,000 Euros in next few years. Once in France, my only income will be single UK State pension and the above savings figure. I will have full UK State pension, so entitlement to E121, as far as I can tell.

Assuming I arrived on retirement (65 and with UK pension)  in France with 200,000 Euros savings upwards, what would I need to do or have needed to do prior to moving to avoid tax or other liabilities? Brief situation is that I have HSBC Euro account (hopeless, but hopefully temporary)  and plan to open a CA account in France soon. I don't feel happy investing in the stock market, but will look at these Assurance Vie's that I've heard a lot about if they'd be a good deal to protect some Euros over the years. Does my plan to move (from outside the EU, by the way) my money into Euros and into CA have any drawbacks in terms of liabilities before and when I get there in person? If so, what is the best way to get and bank my Euros and not get hit by stinging bills?

Now I'm really confused...France...UK...France...UK....France?? I think I'll put it to the shipping company and see what they come up with (that's not to put down your excellent input here, I hasten to add).

[quote user="sunny"]Aidie, When we moved from North America to France, we used a shipping company that shipped to UK and they then delivered via a truck to France. The company preferred to do it this way, as it was easier regarding customs.[/quote] But how did you get round what Sunday Driver above mentions about having to show intention to reside in the destination country (UK)? Also, that must have added a fair whack to transport costs for the company to then ship to France, no?

My playing always sounds like there's a mouse inside the piano... Can I ask how much you pay for a piano tuner where you are, and how often you need to have it tuned?

[quote user="Patf"]Have a look on ebay.fr, there are loads of pianos and you can get an idea of price from there. You can narrow your search down to Brittany, and there may be stores advertising too. I bought a Yamaha upright off ebay from someone in Bordeaux. Looked at several others first ie went to visit. The big expense is transport - we managed to get a friend to do it, after getting exorbitant estimates from elsewhere. I would say that for a "good" piano France is slightly cheaper than UK. But you see lots of overpriced rubbish in the brocantes. ps Just had  look on ebay.fr and some deliver free. [/quote] Thanks patf, but I get nervous buying anything over 20 pounds on ebay. The worry of all ebay things that go wrong would probably see me to an early meeting with the my Maker if I spent 20,000 Euros in those shark-infested waters. I would feel safer buying new from a store with sound insurance and warranty. I managed to find some French store sites and prices with UK are pretty much the same.  The only thing (and a BIG thing) is that the France stores I've looked at only seem to offer a paltry 2-year warranty, whereas UK seems to be 5-year, even for the same (i.e. Yamaha C series) models.

When I retire to France, I would like to buy a Grand piano, maybe Yamaha C or Kemble, something like that in price range 15-20,00 GBP. Would it be better to buy this in UK? In which case: 1. Would stores deliver to France (I think I've seen at least one that will on my browsing, but forgotten where)? 2. Would warranty be valid, and what about if something goes wrong, repairs etc.? Or better to buy in France? In which case: 1. How are piano prices in Euros compared to UK pounds? 2. Where are the popular piano stores in Brittany or close area? (can't find anything on the internet)

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]To benefit from full exemption of taxes and duties on personal belongings, you have to be taking up permanent residence, so that rules out importing into the UK. In addition, you must have lived outside the EU for a continuous period of at least twelve months, have possessed the goods for at least six months prior to the date of import, and they must be for your personal use.  If you sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of them in the EU within 12 months of free importation, then you must notify customs and pay the duties and taxes. The formalities on arrival in France are simple. You provide proof of residence plus a detailed inventory of the goods and complete a customs declaration. In return, you will receive a certified copy of your inventory as proof of clearance.   [/quote] Thanks! That clears up a lot of uncertainties. For the record: 15+ years outside EU Possession for upwards of 10 years (plus all receipts) of anything of value (otherwise just books and CDs/DVDs and clothing) All for my use only What would be acceptable 'proof of residence'? Although on eventual arrival of the container and collection I imagine I will have lived there a month or more, so should have documentary proof by then.

[quote user="AnOther"]It's no more necessary to be UK resident to import personal goods or possessions goods into UK than it is to be French resident to import them into to France so whilst there is nothing wrong with your plan it seems largely pointless and potentially adds another layer of expense and aggravation in personally transporting your stuff across the channel. What makes you think importing direct into France will be a problem ? [/quote] Thanks for your reply. I've read horror stories on other sites about French customs trying to charge TAV and import taxes. My personal possessions are fairly clearly only that and I have purchase receipts for the small number of more expensive items. They are going to a first residence, not second/holiday home. Also, I think it would be a big saving shipping to the more central UK than France, and probably faster as the UK ports have more traffic. Finally, in case I did get hassles, it would probably be easier to get to grips with UK customs than trying to do it all in French. But if you or others still think I've got it wrong, I'm happy to listen to your advice and experiences.

I've read the information here (and elsewhere) that it might save a whole lot of problems shipping my approx 4-5 cubic meters of container (smallish personal possessions) to a UK port, then collect it myself and truck it across to France. I'm UK citizen/passport holder retiring to France. If I do this, are there any potential problems or risks? I presume I'd need to put a UK address as final destination address (can put UK family address), but somewhere along the line, would UK customs, upon collection by me, not want to see evidence of my planned residence in UK before they clear the goods for me? Or would it be as easy as pulling up with my truck, showing ID and docs for ownership etc., and loading up for France? Any experience advice or opinions on my plan very welcome.