mr ploppy

Thanks Clair.  I came here without any E benefits, and no job - really inactif, taking some time off - so I have no carte vitale and no SS number.  Do you think a temporary employer, like a fruit grower, will apply for a SS number for someone in my position, or would they rather take someone who has one already, on the basis that my situation means extra work for them?

I've recently moved to France as what they call an "inactif".  I'm considering doing some seasonal work, let's say picking asparagus, grapes, apples, or working at a campsite.  This would be "proper" work - above board an' all.  Someone suggested that I needed to get the French equivalent of my UK National Insurance number before I can start work.  Anyone know whether this is true, or if there's anything else I need to do?

Thanks Clair.  Any chance of a quick summary in English? My understanding of the EU rules is that a EU citizen with a valid licence from their country cannot be forced to exchange it for a licence issued by their country of residence (because it restricts, or at least makes it a pain to, free movement in the EU).  There is some caveat with respect to validity period though - which I don't remember exactly.  Was it that the host country can impose its own validity period - for example, if you come from a country where the validity period is 20 years, but you reside in a country where it's 10 years, they can force you to exchange it for a local one after 10 years?  But the rule works the other way around too.  Or did I make it all up? Does your average gendarme recognise the old green paper UK licence?

[quote user="cooperlola"]If you have a UK driving license, it is not a bad idea to carry a photocopy of the legislation which explains that it is valid in France - just in case you come across a gendarme who doesn't know the law (it happens.) [/quote] Good idea, but where do I find said legislation?

Re the EU Savings Directive. That's the thing - I could understand if we were trying to open a savings account that they would want to know where we were going to pay tax on the interest, but we were trying to open a non-interesting bearing account, just for day-to-day stuff like our telephone and internet bills.

I read with interest the article on Tax Residency linked to by ErnieY. I'm in the position where I need to decide, or more likely have someone qualified tell me, where I'm tax resident, so that I know where I stand. Any suggestions as to where one would start?

We arrived in 2009 so we'll not be submitting a tax return until 2010. I also found it kind of strange that the bank wanted a tax id to prove residency. I read elsewhere that residency isn't so much a choice, but determined by facts - in other words, if we live here, and intend continuing to live here, then we're resident, surely. Short of having a tax id 15 months prior to filing our first return, any suggestion how one might prove residency? I agree, trying another bank may not be a bad idea.

ErnieY, you say you don't get a numero fiscale until you've filed a tax return, but in our case we won't need to file one until May 2010 as I understand it. Don't we get one by registering with someone or other before then?

I tried opening a bank account the other day, but since I don't have a numero fiscale, they would only offer me a non-resident account. I have a couple of questions 1. where do I get a numero fiscale 2. for a non-resident account, they asked for my tax address. What exactly is that?

No, I have a genuine reason for asking. We're going to be renting a property, but the utilities are included in our rent, so we'll not have a utility bill to show anyone. I've seen many instances of needing to provide proof of address, for example to open a bank account, where it says to show your utility bill. Just wondering what we'd do in our case.

I've read many posts of procedures where one has to provide proof of address, and it always seems to say that you need a utility bill. Is this the only proof of address that the French accept? If not, what other forms of proof are acceptable?

I'm glad you're paying attention Clair [:)]. I presume from your response that you believe that having sufficient savings will satisfy the requirement.

[quote user="5-element"][quote user="mr ploppy"]I'm trying to get to grips with the health insurance requirements prior to moving to France.  We'll be inactif, have no income, and no E*** from the UK, so will need comprehensive insurance. [/quote] If you are inactif, have no income and no E form from the UK, that would make you  illegal here in France. What would you be living on? The French authorities would be asking you that question - before you can be a resident, you have to show that you have enough income not to need benefits of any kind.... [/quote] We have sufficient savings to live in France for some considerable time.  I presume that if we show evidence of that, we'll be OK.  Is that not the case?

I'm trying to get to grips with the health insurance requirements prior to moving to France.  We'll be inactif, have no income, and no E*** from the UK, so will need comprehensive insurance. I gather from the discussions on here that the definition of comprehensive is not entirely clear - or maybe it is.  I must admit there's so much info on here that it takes ages to wade through, and posts that were made over a year ago may now be OBE. I have a fairly simple question I think.  When it comes to pre-existing conditions, it's entirely possible that an insurance may not cover you for that.  I read a post by someone (can't find it now) suggesting that since a pre-existing condition could preclude you from "full comprehensive" insurance that people (immigrants) with such conditions could never live legally in France. This may be according to the letter of the law, but even if it is, I find it hard to believe in practice. As an example, let's say someone has a non-life threatening, treatable condition which requires taking medication daily (let's say migraine ... I don't know).  The medication may not be covered by insurance.  Does that mean the person can't become legally resident? Can anyone clarify for me?

Thanks for your concern. On the contrary though, it's not a question of mistrust, it's because they're elderly (British) and it's the first time they've let their property.  I'm trying to find out the ins and outs on their behalf.  I appreciate that any business between friends is fraught with danger, but I'm very confident that this will be OK. The leases you mention that can be bought at a stationer's, do they have to be notarised in order to make them "legal", or is that optional?