Franglais24

Teamedup, you yourself wrote "I have no idea as to how the french would treat someone who arrived unemployed from another EU country though. They are so difficult with the paperwork which has to be absolutely just so, so no idea as to how they would treat foreign paperwork". ...and I have posted what I believe to be a good resource of information. I now wish I'd PMd it to the original poster only rather than perhaps giving you the benefit also. In my experience the French social security departments have been very efficient, welcoming and amenable. (What comes around goes around) F24.  

Hi, Quote Economically active persons are entitled to equal treatment in social protection according to Regulations 1408/71 and 1612/68. The former applies to social insurance and health care. The latter applies to all "social and tax advantages" for workers, including welfare benefits Unquote   For further details go to http://bookshop.eu.int/ and search for Social Security. Happy reading! F24.  

Hi, I'd like to hire a car in the UK and at least one firm mentions that non-UK residents might have CDW (collision damage waiver insurance) of their own, which saves you having to buy theirs. Does anyone know what I'm supposed to be looking for, phrases etc? Might it be included in our house or car insurance, or on our Credit Agricole debit card??? F24

Merci Ron I will put a note in my diary for the middle of June, to double-check that the tax has been reimbursed   F24

Hi, The FD5 is for the UK/France Double Taxation Convention (yawn) You can see it here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/france-individual.pdf "APPLICATION for relief at source from United Kingdom income tax and CLAIM to repayment of United Kingdom income tax.... [It] is for use by an individual resident of France receiving a UK state retirement pension or incapacity benefit pensions, purchased annuities, interest or royalties arising in the UK."  F24

Hi, Has anyone yet received back any tax withheld in the UK, having completed an FD5 for 2004 ? If not, does anyone know when it should arrive?! F24

Cost of fencing? The price for a 200m length of 7 or 8' high fencing, installed, in 24 about 3 years ago was 15,000 euros. And it's not a quality job by any means. If your dog is anything like ours were you would need to check it every night to see they haven't been forcing or digging under it Don't forget the fenced run option F24    

We had an invisible fence, to supplement a physical fence, in the UK. A top of the range one, it cost us several hundred pounds. The bitch would sit close to the boundary, the collar unit beeping away until the batteries went flat. Our neighbours told us the dog would simply make a run for it, jumping the physical fence like a deer. I can't be certain there isn't a link between the shocks and his epilepsy. They're older now and simply aren't interested in roaming or chasing, but if they were there'd be no question, we'd be building a kennel with fenced run similar to the ones French farmers often have. Everything in the run would be safe, so there's the added bonus of there being less worries about a dog getting into trouble whilst unsupervised. F24.

Hi, Our neighbour called round yesterday afternoon to let us know that bonfires are currently banned due to the dry weather, and the bobbies were cruising the area looking for signs of smoke. We're in the North Dordogne. Take care everybody! F24

Hi, It's about time we changed some GBP into euros and I've noticed the advert in French News for World First. www.worldfirst.com Has anyone used them, were the rates good, and were they efficient? "PM" me if there's any concern about your post getting pulled for advertising/libel ! Thanks, F24.

Hi, We have just had the supplier of our heating oil round, saying that 1000 litres is currently increasing in price by 10 euros per day and he doesn't see this trend changing. It's just as well we did find a wood-fired burner to complement our central heating system! (Ideal Standard). F24.

Pleased to advise that the fee for the Carte Gris was less than 500 euros, and there's no annual tax to pay, on our Chelsea Tractor. F24.

Hi, If a family member (or even myself !) sends me a parcel containing items that I already own would I still have to pay duty on them when they arrive in France (value £200 for example)? Can anyone suggest any economical carriers? The cheapest I've found so far is Parcel2go at £25 + VAT, Royal Mail being more expensive. Thanks, F24

Hi, I will soon need to see a French GP but I'm still waiting for an E form (106, whichever) to come through from the UK. On the phone, the DWP at Newcastle told me to go to CPAM, to register, once I'd received the appropriate E form. But, as I do not yet have a form, I feel in limbo. What are your experiences and suggestions in this situation? Should I go to CPAM sharpish with other documentation, or simply pay for the GP's consultation, medication etc and then hope to be able to claim a %age back from CPAM? Fingers crossed there's no emergency requiring expensive treatment in the meantime! Thanks all, F24.

Hi, Does anyone know of any car hire firms near the border of the Charente and the Dordogne eg Riberac/Montmoreau. A national firm maybe? I've checked Pages Jaunes online and whilst there's loads in Angouleme and Bergerac no joy. Thanks, F24

I was thinking of using my NCB from an expired UK policy in France, however an insurance broker here says that I can not because it is more than 12 months since that policy expired. Another said that if the NCB was less than 18 months old it could be use. It's actually 20 months old. Any suggestions or referrals? Thanks, F24.    

Hi, We brought over a BT On-Air cordless system which worked ok having sourced a lead. But it worked only for a few months and then packed up for no apparent reason. But maybe it would have done this in the UK anyway. F24

Hi, We're currently shopping for a newish car and I think it might be useful to be able to obtain some quotes for different makes and models & years and values. I hate to inconvenience a broker a dozen plus times only to perhaps not take up their quote at the end of the day, as I intend to shop around for the best quote once we've actually settled on a specific car. Does anyone know of any websites that give quotes for french-registered cars? Thanks, F24.

Any thoughts Don't bother - go to Bricomarche and get one of those kits to blow the the little beasties up! Have despatched 5 in the last fortnight   45euros well spent (plus a further 15 euros for more bullets). Success at last! F24.  

I suppose this might explain why I've seen several farmers' Citroens and Renaults in fields but no Range Rovers, Land Rovers or similar! F24

Hi, Yesterday a friend told us that the french levy some form of road tax on 4WDs, something to do with their being commercial.  Does anyone know the facts? Thanks. F24

Thanks for the pointers so far folks. Keep 'em coming though, there's no chance of a cert of conformity being issued! Would also be interested to hear of any potential insurers. Cheers, F24.

Hi, Having now spent some considerable time trying to work out what we need to do to register and insure our modified classics in France (24), it's no surprise to me that many people run around on UK plates for extended periods! I vaguely recall someone mentioning that there are people who will guide you through the process for a reasonable fee. Has anyone any pointers to these people, relevant owners' clubs, etc Many thanks, F24.

Hi, Our house insurance is coming up for renewal and we've not been impressed by the service provided by the broker, or the insurer. Has anyone any recommendations that they'd like to tell me about, perhaps off-board? If the paperwork is in English that's a bonus. Thanks, F24.

A fortnight ago I was minding my own business in the kitchen and one blighter ran across the top of the stove and into and up the uncovered telephone point which is next to a socket in which there's an ultrasonic deterrant! A small piece of cadbury's fruit and nut on a traditional mouse trap did the job within hours. Reset the trap, and next morning there was one of his chums, fallen for the same ruse. I'm just glad I don't usually get up first in the morning! It seems the place they really like is under the kitchen sink, where we usually keep the paper kitchen towel. F24.