Have you ever thought of moving abroad after you retire? For many people in the UK, France is an ideal location for retirement. As one of our nearest European neighbours, it offers a change of scene without the hassle of a difficult or long journey. In light of changes due to Brexit, there are a few documents you’ll want to have in order before you plan your move.
New Requirements
One of the biggest changes to bear in mind post-Brexit is the visa requirement. France’s minimum income requirement for long-stay visas now applies to UK nationals. This means that in order to move to France for retirement, you will have to provide proof of your means of subsistence. This could take the form of bank statements showing your pension payments, for instance. The amount of funds you will be expected to possess in order to retire in France will depend on your living arrangements, but will generally be in the range of €32.50 – €120/per day [1]. If you need apostilles for these bank statements, a solicitor or notary will need to certify them first.
Supporting Documents
There are other public documents you may require when moving abroad as part of the visa application process, such as:
- Passport,
- Birth certificate,
- Certificate of marriage or civil partnership,
- Police certificate (criminal records).
You may need legal translations of these documents when applying for a French visa. This is different than simply translating them yourself. A legal translation provided by a qualified translator produces a document which can be certified and legalised for use in other countries.
If you use copies, rather than originals, of your documents, a solicitor or notary will usually need to certify them. Some of them, such as the police certificate, also require apostilles. It is a good idea to check what processes the relevant authorities require to ensure that you are not submitting incomplete documents.
Fortunately, France and the UK are both signatory to the Hague Convention. This means that if any of your documents require legalisation, they will only need apostilles from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the UK in order to be recognised as valid and legal in France.
At Pardus Bloom, we have a network of professionals who can handle any processes your documents may require, from legal translation to legalisation. We offer an express service through the FCDO. We can obtain apostilles for documents on the same day you drop them off with us. With our help, you can get your applications in in good time and enjoy your stress-free retirement.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements