minnie

I so agree with you Judith. I certainly would not risk being without a passport. There's always a chance that you may want to travel outside of schengen area. If you renew it as appropriate it is so much easier than letting it lapse and having to start from scratch. I would reiterate that the process was simple. Our problem was with the digital photo. We don't have a smartphone as we have no indoor reception but we retain an old fashioned nokia for motoring needs. We did solve the problem fairly simply by using a friend who is good with a camera, my photos are basically aim, fire and hope for the best!

One wonders whether the same will apply to our new, post Brexit cards....

When it was accepted online we were given a reference number and tracking link. I copied the old passport details (just in case). I also posted the old passport to the address supplied by recorded delivery. We have our CdS cards but if ever you needed to travel out of France you'd have to have your passport. Maybe someone else might have an idea if there's any other reason why you'd be obliged to keep a UK passport in France. I certainly wouldn't be without it.

Hi Mogs, Just seen your post. We're glad you've found someone relatively close who can sort it for you as it sounds like it needs a professional - not the nicest job.

Finally sorted it. The problem we were having was that every photo we took/had kept on coming back that oh had no definite head outline and might not be acceptable. Eventually, last evening, we visited a friend who is an ace photographer. He managed to get a result after a couple of hours and the application was quickly accepted. Posted old passport back just before lunch. Thanks all for your contributions - much appreciated.

Thanks all. I shall sort it out this weekend.

For the information of others, I have established that all UK passport applications from France have to be completed on line with digital photos. The forms are then printed out and sent with the printed version of the photos to the Passport office.

Wonder if anyone who has recently used this method can assist. OH needs to renew his passport. I've downloaded a blank form for completion and also the payment form (think the cost is 105.86). I'm stumped as to where this application is to be posted though. Can somebody help please. Thanks in anticipation. I suppose it should be posted with old passport via recommandé avec avis de réception?

We were panicking but the rendezvous was plain sailing. We had this on 7 Jan of this year. Basically we took the necessary birth, marriage and divorce certificates (all translated as this was indicated on the list of requirements). We also took P60s and latest letters from State Pension people indicating what the updated payments were (translated). We then took 2 edf bill per annum for last 5 years and avis des impots for last 5 years. These were copied and identical for both of us. No bank statements whatsoever were required. Today we've both had letters asking us to come to collect our cartes from the prefecture. Nowhere near as bad as we'd imagined.

Thinking of you Blodwyn and your family at this very sad time.

We've got the set of DVDs

He died on Thursday apparently. Always enjoyed "It ain't half hot mum"...though it would probably not be pc now! Anyway the notification said he lived in South West France. Just curious to know if anyone had come across him. His wife died 4 months ago.

About 2 years ago oh and I were both diagnosed Vit D deficient in January despite taking walks of several kilometers daily and gardening...We had these little phials for 3 months until I read there was a risk of overdosing on Vitamin D. Since then we have kept it in balance by getting a small Vitamin D daily supplement. We get it via Holland & Barratt. It works well for us.

About 2 years ago oh and I were both diagnosed Vit D deficient in January despite taking walks of several kilometers daily and gardening...We had these little phials for 3 months until I read there was a risk of overdosing on Vitamin D. Since then we have kept it in balance by getting a small Vitamin D daily supplement. We get it via Holland & Barratt. It works well for us.

Just noticed that Dr Ramchurun of Tonneins is no longer practising. Some of you may be with him and not know about this. For information.

Same here. It doesn't encourage one to read forum posts. Can anyone do something about it please.

It may be irrelevant but do you use anti-calcaire tablets in your washing machine. If not, could it be that there is a build up as a result of hard water?

Thanks Mac - that's great

I'm planning on visiting there during the next couple of weeks and going by train to Bordeaux St Jean (I know all the strike dates). Does anyone know the best way to get from the station to cite du vin. I'd prefer to hear from someone who has made the journey that way as I'm aware of the theory. Thanks

Euro trash has a very valid point. You'll soon learn in France that if you fall between 2 stools you could have problems and it is not straightforward. Your first port of call should have been to fill in the form declaring to UK authorities that you consider yourself resident in France. They have to agree to this. Can't remember the form number but I'm sure that someone else will step in.

Be very careful. This no such thing in France as barter. If you're getting accommodation in exchange for odd jobs Mr Taxman will want to put a financial value on it to charge your friend tax on that value....This works even within families in France. Doing any sort of work for anyone has a financial value here!

You will need to declare all income earned even from UK from the date you become resident in France. If you only became resident in 2018 there's nothing to declare for 2017. It's useful to know that tax in France is based on family income rather than that of an individual. Of course you may be single with no children anyway. As you say if it's below the allowance threshold there'll be nothing to pay. What you need to consider is that following Brexit you'll need to prove that you have sufficient income to live in France before receiving a carte de sejour.

Since this is your first declaration presumably you have the hard copies and not on-line. Most tax offices have a day when they have somebody to help the new British residents to complete their forms. Since you speak good French it may be advisable to enquire at your tax office when this might happen. You certainly need advice as you need to know what income you should declare in France even if earned in the UK. If French resident, eventually you're going to have to prove that you have a level of income enabling you to be self sifficient in France after Brexit.

Personal allowances are somewhat similar (don't recall the exact figures without looking). The main difference is that your tax form in France is based on family income and not individual with personal allowances in 2 parts for husband and wife. So tax is calculated on the family income and then parts deducted to arrive at taxable income.

I haven't touched it myself yet but remember it happening to me a couple of years ago. As I recall you had to complete a bit of basic info on 2042 which includes a tick box as to other forms required. Then you can complete 2047. I might be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am. Got to be in the right mood before doing it but, whenI do in a couple of days, I'll post if you haven't had a good response. Bon courage!