This time, Ben Small from Ibanista is hosting Richard Hammond from French Connections HCB and Fabien Pelissier from Fab French Insurance to talk about the French lifestyle and what is required to make it across. The speakers shared tons of anecdotes on how to make a successful move to France coming from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and basically all non-EU countries.
Book a consultation with Richard: https://calendly.com/richard-frenchconnectionshcb/initial-call-podcast
Book a consultation with Fabien: https://calendly.com/fab-advisors/moving-to-france-consultation
Or visit our Fabulous website: https://www.fabfrenchinsurance.com/
Ben Small: Did introduce. Hi, there, then. Richard Hammond: Hi, there, Ben, how’s it going? Top form? So how are you? Richard Hammond: Yeah, yeah, really. Good. Thank you for having me on here, and, thanks to Fabian for organizing this.
Ben Small: Think! Think that’s wonderful, Ben. I grew up in France. I was born Richard Hammond: in France, grew up there was educated there. I’m saying this because I don’t sound French, right so. But if I do turn into French you can’t. It’s the same thing the other way around.
I guess when I was about 1819 years old I realized there was a real need for assistance with English speakers in France. I was doing that whilst I was studying through lack of ambition, I’m sure that I didn’t launch my business back then.
Richard Hammond: but after having traveled the world, worked for many Us companies
Richard Hammond: And UK companies, and living in both those countries and coming back to France, I just thought, Yeah, this is the right time for this business. About 5 years ago Fabio and I cross paths, and the the rest is history. Today we are the largest relocation business in France. We have offices in France. Yeah. Uk, and now US. Hi, to Delphine, it must be watching
Richard Hammond: from the Us. Today. Early morning for her. And so, yeah, absolutely. I guess the best way to describe us, because I think the term hand holding is often sort of floated around. I don’t think we’re really handholders. I think other people do hand-holding very well and individually, but we really provide a solution
Richard Hammond: answers in a professional and reliable manner, and we’ve created, I think a very good platform of technology linking barristers that work for us full-time and paralegals that we have that can do those tasks that are more
Richard Hammond: tedious, shall we say? And more towards the legal side of things? And then people like Fabia and I being in business, we just bring the best people that we know, working together to provide solutions for people that live
Richard Hammond: or while moving to France. And these days we help probably 5 families or individuals relocate per week. So that’s the kind of size that we’re coping with these days.
Richard Hammond: and a majority of our clients are probably us New Zealand, Australia, Canadian, based, of course, an awful lot of our our clients are also from the UK. But I think, moving from even further afield, it makes it even more relevant to get this right and to pinch one of Fabian’s terms. You know, it’s finding
Richard Hammond: companies that have actually got these these battle tested policies, these like Fab insurance, of course, and Fab and I work, of course, hand in hand, because one goes with the other. You need. If you want a visa, if you want our assistance for a visa. You need a policy for that, and of course Fabian has been working with me for 5 years, and I think I can count on the
Richard Hammond: I’m on my hands the amount of time. So I’ve had any issues. So, guys, if you are going to look for an insurance broker in France. These guys are definitely the people to to talk to.
Ben Small: Well, perfect, Richard, thank you for that nice segue to to Fabio. You have a new. Come over, mate. Fabien Pelissier: Thank you. Yeah. And yet to them all. Fabien Pelissier: yeah. Well.
Fabien Pelissier: what what can I say after this introduction? But yes, yes, we well, obviously, I’m Fabian, you know, trying to be fabulous. Fabien Pelissier: Not, Diego, for us. Speaking? Sorry also. Yeah. I’m the founder and managing director of Branch insurance been operated since almost 10 years, now 2015
Fabien Pelissier: helping out the English speaking expats or community in France, or relocating to France or second home owners ever since. Wasn’t the original goal original core audience. But I’ve been an expert myself, actually, before, up until 2,014
Fabien Pelissier: a bit in the Us. But mostly in the Uk. And actually, as as a French expert and an English speaking country. Uk us, I mean admin stuff is so much easier.
Fabien Pelissier: So I can definitely understand how confusing this might have looked doing. You know, the other way around. So that’s why I was
Fabien Pelissier: thinking about targeting this, this market and this this niche market very early on, and actually as tumble then upon Richard. Pretty quickly, I think 2018 2019, if I remember correctly and very quickly, it was a match.
Fabien Pelissier: Because we have the same vision. I mean, sure everyone’s here to make money. But at the end of the day what makes us 5 as that we we are happy helping people move across whatever this is from the Us. Canada, the Uk. Well, obviously, you know the further away from France, the hardest it it seems. So that’s that’s why we’re we often mentioning you us and and Canada or Australia, for that matter, because we have fair, fair bit of clients from there as well.
Fabien Pelissier: But it’s mostly it’s an adventure rather than a run business. Fabien Pelissier: because I mean that that’s something we say, Richard and I, when we are on an exhibition, for example, in the Uk.
Fabien Pelissier: Everyone is kind of doing business, and we are. We are around in the exhibition, laughing all day long. Cause this is fun. This is supposed to be fun. You’re supposed to be enjoying. This is a new adventure, a new life. So it’s supposed to be something, please. And obviously France is very administrative country. So
Fabien Pelissier: we created each of our businesses Fabien Pelissier: to help you guys move across and make it as simple as Frenchly possible. Ben Small: We should get into the trenches. Now, guys.
Ben Small: people have signed up for this because they want to move to France long term. And, Richard, before we started this, you were telling me something about the 3 main tests that you would run when people turn to you and say, Richard, I wanna I wanna move to France long term.
Ben Small: Could you cover that? I think that’d be a good place to start.
Richard Hammond: Yeah, so Fabian and I probably had the battle over who came out with this first, but probably fabulous who’s been in the business longer? But I think the the policies for French immigration. I think it’s fair to say that if you’re watching this video today. Of course, they’re gonna be applicable. But things do change, and that there are obviously new bills of immigration that are being voted as as in the in progress as we speak, but
Richard Hammond: really for for for what we can take, which is over the last 35 years, I believe, for US. Citizens the pillars of emigration have always been the same for that kind of for those kind of countries which are based on the fact that you have to prove that you’ve got income or savings to suffice minimum income, which is.
Richard Hammond: to be precise, €1,389. I think. So. Let’s say, €1,400 net per month, and that can be held
Richard Hammond: times 12 in a saver’s account. Of course, more is better right. But yeah, that can be that way. It could also be through. And this is the source of huge controversy. I hopefully can answer some questions if you have them about remote working, that remote working, or pensions, or any kind of passive income that suffices that €1,400 could also be considered.
Richard Hammond: So this is pillar number one income. Most of my clients tend to be selling. Or. yeah, they’ve sorted this side of things. So I don’t think this is the hugest worried for most of you guys.
Richard Hammond: the the the second one is health insurance, and that can obviously be covered with Fab insurance.
Richard Hammond: And and I think again. You do a great job, Fabia. Don’t get me wrong. But I think also, your website makes it very easy to calculate what that would cost. So, guys, you know, you can just put your age literally, and they’ll they’ll come up off a price. And I think that’s really super comfortable for a lot of my clients at least to be able to get that very rapid information, those moving from the UK. There’s things like S. One forms that are available, but again, maybe not always applicable or advisable. And
Richard Hammond: the third point is
Richard Hammond: usually huge. Controversy comes along from this, because Fabian’s always calling me and saying, look. Are you sure, mate, are you absolutely sure that this is the case? Because I’ve got other people that are telling me that it shouldn’t be this, that it says on the website that you can have an Airbnb booking or a hotel booking. Now that’s the safe place to live. So the third part, the third pillar. Is this safe place to live
Richard Hammond: now? I’ve I can assure you. We’ve looked into this thoroughly. If you are looking for a free month, a 4 month, or 6 month visa, or even a twelve-month non-renewable. Then effectively, yes, a hotel booking, or something along those lines could suffice. If it is a permanent relocation that you’re looking for with a renewability of that visa in France. It is indeed needed to have a safe place to live in the way that you define that in French law
Richard Hammond: for those that are landlords in France, you’ll know if you’ve got a tenant. You can’t get rid of them, even if you sell the house, you can’t get them gone. So the tenant has power for those watching this across the world that you know that don’t have the same rules as France.
Richard Hammond: Basically, being a tenant in France is very protective, or it’s very protective as a tenant. Sorry? Not necessarily, landlord. And that means that a 12 month long stay visa is highly recommendable to have a 12 month or 36 month rental contract. The only 2 contracts that exist in France. If somebody else is trying to sell you something else, it’s not genuine, or
Richard Hammond: obviously an attestation. Dashar de vant chief. So basically something from the Notre, saying that you actually have completed on your property. So a lot of the clients, then, that we will have are in those cases they’re either second home owners, and they’ve usually already had their property for quite a while.
Richard Hammond: They might be from the US. And looking to move to France, and they want to have a visa before they actually commit to buying a house. Guess what you’re going to need the rental, really, if you want to be guaranteed on that, and it’s not to say that some of them have passed through the loops. I know there’s an awful lot of equivalent services to to us to a certain extent that propose
Richard Hammond: rentals and short term rentals. Well, it’s great if you’ve got those, and they’ve been approved. But really, if you dug into it, and I think it is fair to say, Ben, that all of these 3 pillars are going to be more and more scrutinized whilst we get closer to these change and elections and all of these kind of things, so notably the big pillar that’s being put forward right now is the income
Richard Hammond: so usually for you guys relocating selling all of your properties and things. You know, the income at first is not really the issue, but it is going to be something that is going to be more thoroughly looked upon, because it’s the kind of big bill if you see of reform that they’re having on on immigration in France for those that weren’t aware that there’s an awful lot of talk about these
Richard Hammond: changes affecting people’s notably second homeowners. So, but in any case, if you’re going to move to France permanently, and you want to be able to enjoy France without any restrictions of time, and you need a long-stay visitor visa or
Richard Hammond: a talent passport visa. Those are the only 2 that are renewable in front.
Ben Small: Right? I have a view, Richard, as actually so touch on a bigger point there, because when we put this webinar out, say, stay in France long term, and people might think that get the first year out the way. But you kind of do need a game plan right? If if your position is vulnerable to the political changes that we’ve seen, even though the last 5 years, it’s it’s tense. So I mean what? What
Ben Small: I think we should talk about this. What’s the what’s the process after that first year? Do you just renew that visa, that you had the same address? Or what’s the story?
Richard Hammond: Yeah, so, so essentially again, this is a process that I think my parents moved to France a year or 2 before I was born, in 1,986, 1,987, and so back. Then they had what is called the capital sizzle, and that’s just been put back in place for you, Brits, watching us today. But of course there was already in place for US. Canadian, any other citizens. So basically, at the end of a 10 month period.
Richard Hammond: after your visa has started, you will be able to book your renewal appointment, which can be held, of course, in France if you’ve got the right type of visa. Unfortunately, there is also a 12 month. Non-renewable visa. So there’s yeah. There’s there’s an element where you’ve just got to be a little bit careful there. But essentially, if you have the right type of visa, then it’s renewable to a cup massage.
Richard Hammond: and those same pillars apply. But this time around you are going to be applying in your own perfect tour in your own region, and they are.
Richard Hammond: Think it’s, you know, I hear. And I sometimes also said that there is, you know, some discrepancy between how they deal with things. I don’t think they do necessarily do that. They’ve got a rulebook that they apply. But there are. There is a bit of a
Richard Hammond: picture. This is a bank or mortgage application, and you want to be able to show to the French authorities that your story, your profile, is the same as when it first applied, that the stability that you’ve got income, that you’re now resourceful in France, that you’ve registered for taxes for all these things, and you’re compliant. And you’re there.
Richard Hammond: And and I think that’s what we do in our, you know, packages that we sell to our clients, which is, we take care of everything and a bit more than what is the minimum requirement? Because then you’re just an a grade student. Right? You’re going to arrive at your at your mortgage application. Shall we call it with more than you need? And you look good on that on paper. But also, you know you’ve shown that you’ve made an effort to integrate
Richard Hammond: from an administrative perspective, at least at the moment. That’s all they’re asking for in the future. There are discussions of language test levels which at the moment are not required. So anybody watching? Yeah. Good all day.
Richard Hammond: You know that, of course, learning the language is a really relevant part of your move to France is going to be something that’s got to be great. That’s the cut decision. So in theory, Ben. Richard Hammond: to answer people’s technical requests potentially, or to preempt those.
Richard Hammond: It’s a 12 month long. Stay. Then they would renew your visa to a cut, the scissor for 12 months, and they do that 3 times before. They would then renew that to a 5 year cut decision, and then to a 10 year cut scissor. But they do have executive power to give you up to 10 years on any cut decisions. So if your file is fantastic, you’ve done everything to become French.
Richard Hammond: and you’ve got plenty of savings. Then, in theory, they might just say, Look, we don’t want to see you next year. Here’s a 5 year card. Here’s a 10 year card. Here’s a 3 year card. So they have power and executive power to do that at the renewal stage, not, of course, at the initial visa point, and for those that have also missed the appointment had to go back because business because families call
Richard Hammond: well, it’s not the end of the world. It just means that you will have to renew your visa back in your country of origin and start the whole process again. So it’s a bit of a shame, but it is, of course, possible and doable. So there’s, you know. Again, I think there’s an awful lot of fear mongering that’s put in this world of legal aspects. There there are solutions, but often they well, truly, they are only going back to your own country and starting again. So I think it’s very important to understand that
Richard Hammond: challenges prepare for them well, and, as Fabian will often say, you know Richard Hammond: France, things go at the speed that they want to go. We’re also like, I think, probably any country
Richard Hammond: experiencing huge technology shifts and the platforms of each government body, it’s fair to say, are evolving on a daily basis. And for those watching, you know, I’m sure you’ve sometimes you’ve traveled logging into your zoom or to your teams. What have you? It happens that technology fails as us. And I think also.
Richard Hammond: there’s a time of change that makes the paperwork slower. Yeah. So that during that time I’m sure this will all be sped up, and notably for visas. They’re looking at doing, you know, remote applications to avoid having to go into visa centers and things like that. And it’ll be chaos and pandemanium to start off with if they did that. And same for the health care cards, you know. Some places it’ll take 4 months to another area’s 9 months.
Richard Hammond: So the good news is with us, and the same as with Fabio, all of our services and products are guaranteed, and we’re so confident that we will find a solution that we guarantee all of your services, which I think is extremely important, because a lot of people don’t.
Richard Hammond: I think. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, people are putting their trust in need to get over the line. Yeah, I think it’s a great guarantee that I’m I’m super interested in this idea of earning Brownie points with your local administration office. Oh, yeah, I mean, I guess it is. It is just literally owning Brownie points, you know you you minimum. Your minimum requirements are the same in theory, but the more you can show that you’ve done things that
Richard Hammond: make it look like you are staying in France, I mean again, all of my services, all of the services that we provide to a certain to a certain extent would all be free. You could do them yourself, that that people will use our services, and I genuinely encourage you to do if you want to save time, hassle and stress, and and and that’s what we’re kind of
Richard Hammond: suggestion here is that the fact of the matter is is that we’ve worked very hard over the last 5 years to create a good, solid, and strong, reliable platform, and I think both Fabia and I and you, Ben, because for those who don’t know. Ben does also work in the industry, but but slightly more financial. But but I think we genuinely care
Richard Hammond: as as individuals, as business owners, and as as as also employees of our own companies. So Fabian alluded to it at the beginning of of this showed, you know, we want to make it fun? Yeah, we do want to make fun. That’s why we like working in this industry as well is that you’re helping people. And I think you know scientifically proven the endorphins that are released when you help people. Of course, you know, we are a business. We’ve got to make this
Richard Hammond: work also, financially, because we employ lots of people. So the services aren’t free. RN, but they are the most inclusive possible, or we try to make them better each time. But again on that, Ben, the more we make it
Richard Hammond: apparent, not just telling the French authorities that it’s going. You are staying in France, and you love France, etc. Yeah, they want to see proof. And the best proof for them. French paperwork.
Fabien Pelissier: for sure. Yeah, there is something that that you you’re implying Richard. In a way I think it’s important to to point it out, because the the well, all these rules and things in theory, you know, it’s important to, to, to highlight, that the visa is a very political tool, and at the end of the day everything that we discussing they can decide from one day to the next that
Fabien Pelissier: from from now on they’ll be most tricked, or they’ll reject some applications pretty much without any reason, like we’ve experienced. For example, back in 2021, when we had a political crisis with Australia, because the Australian Government, with through a submarine order or something not political enough to remember this, but I do remember that it had an impact on these applications now for basically, a couple of months is
Fabien Pelissier: with Australian applications. And a bit with debris as well. But maybe Brexit at the time didn’t help either. But basically, I mean, it’s important to to highlight this, because Fabien Pelissier: I mean that that’s what Richard is implying when you sign.
Fabien Pelissier: I mean you the rules there. There are a theoretical set of rules. Fabien Pelissier: but in real life you know that they have kind of a discretionary power as well.
Fabien Pelissier: and it’s also highly political. So you want to make your file look as good as possible, because you never know. Sure. Maybe you have a friend who did use an hotel or an Airbnb, and it went perfectly fine. It doesn’t mean your application following the same rules, will.
Fabien Pelissier: And that’s why guys like Richard are really, really, I mean, even if you don’t realize it. cause he knows all that. You know that that the traps. And you know the yeah save you the edx, because we’ve seen it all, I mean through the years.
Fabien Pelissier: And I mean, sometimes you don’t realize it because most people are focused on the visa application. That that’s usually the biggest fear is the visa, because that’s the gateway to France. Fabien Pelissier: But that’s usually not what there is to see. You know, there is more behind this
Fabien Pelissier: and shifting the focus to a more permanent, you know, global thing like, you know, considering the location in one year sign and things like that, because the sooner you you think about that the better you find is, and actually the less stressful the whole process will be.
Fabien Pelissier: And this is something I’m not working for, Richard, but I’m working with him, and I’ve never seen it an application being denied with him, and he’s doing probably 1,000, I mean, I don’t even know. It’s probably doing 1,000 a year.
Fabien Pelissier: So that says a lot, because I’m dealing with people that sometimes don’t go with an older immigration expert or lawyer. Fabien Pelissier: and so somewhat competitors with Richard.
Fabien Pelissier: And I’m seeing quite a fair bit of rejection. So so not sign. I’m not playing the fear, monger, because, most of you guys, if you, coming from an English speaking country, which I assume you all because we all speaking English today. But the rejection rate is
Fabien Pelissier: way lowest any from other countries. But still, you know. It’s not a nomadic either. So yeah. Ben Small: I think it’s so. It’s coming from really, really good planning. Right? So I suppose if I could challenge challenges or put you guys to test a little bit here?
Ben Small: if we’re talking about good foundations when you’re approaching a move to France, what what if if we’re saying people maybe are focusing too much on the visa and lots about the the bigger, bigger context, what what should people be focusing and and in which order, because we all know the cycle of trying to get a
Richard Hammond: a French bank account open. But you don’t have an address, and you don’t have an address yet, because you can’t find a landlord that’s willing to put you put you up. You know. What’s the story? How how do you guys tackle that nice secret sauce. But you know it’s webinar, hey? So I think first and foremost, it’s it’s fair to say that I did actually have one rejection on the 1,000 to 150 applications last year. Invasion, China. So I think you might prompt me that one
Richard Hammond: but but thank you, Fabian, for your kind words. But the the point being is that we’re not here to to also just say how great each other’s companies are. But we we are. Let’s face it. But the point being is that I think it’s also bringing these these bits of info. The first thing that you could say to answer your question, Ben, is that in case it isn’t clear, because we’re talking about visas, but you actually can go for 90 days in France.
Richard Hammond: And but then you’ve got a 180 day rule before you can go and spend another 90 days. So we have a lovely calculator that we can share with you guys that’s on our website that allows to add all of your trips. And I can share this in this chat a little bit later, if you want. But in in practice you could actually travel to France. I think France is very old school. That’s usually why we like it and love it right? And so you could go on your 90 days. Visit some apartments.
Richard Hammond: you know. Conclude the deal with a landlord. It’s fair to say you’re gonna have to rent beforehand before you actually move there, which is, you know, financially, you’re gonna have to forecast for that. So that’s worth doing. There are also some fantastic. We live in a lovely, comfortable world these days. Right? Guys. I think there are some great companies out there, great estate agents that will allow you to video
Richard Hammond: video view. There’s some, not even competitors to ours. Because these days, as I said, we’re not even really handholders anymore. But we do we offer people that use our whole packages to help them
Richard Hammond: search for properties? But that’s not our main business there. There are other businesses that do that very well, but they often localized in just smaller areas. So they won’t offer more rural France. They’re just, you know, in Paris, nice, potentially, the locations that, you know, people know, but
Richard Hammond: maybe not best suited to them. But they offer options. And I think I would always focus on location. We do also within our business. We were just sick and fed up, having so many spending, so much time searching. So I was actually in property beforehand. So we’ve got about 1013 properties that we can rent directly that we own and service, and we provide
Richard Hammond: those to our clients if they want to. But we are in southwestern rural France. So I do warn you it’s lovely, but it is rural. But having said that, I think that the one good way Ben is definitely to come on a 90 day, have a look, find somewhere, find a few agents that are specialized in doing this, but
Richard Hammond: depending on your location, you know, I know a lot of you guys coming from the Us. That focus on Paris or bigger cities. You know, it’s like any big city. London’s difficult to go and rent in New York’s difficult to rent in la is difficult to rent in. So
Richard Hammond: yeah, II think, but for the the search of property themselves. I think the problem with France, I know, you know a lot of us are always linked to real estate or realtors and and estate agents in general. If we’re talking in in British English.
Richard Hammond: the problem with France is that there are loads of options. Your money, and I think my advice always is to find the region first find the area.
Richard Hammond: Think there was a video I watched on Youtube of of Legit M and Bilayer, or something that came that was really relevant. I think they were talking about.
Richard Hammond: forget about the house, find the the location, and I completely agree with that. I think the location is really, really key. Go there in wintertime, where it’s rainy when you’re not drinking rose like go there could be, you know. Bayonne is such a the best country, such a different place in the summer and in the winter. Arguably, I prefer in the winter, but we just have to drink beer inside the pub instead of outside. But it doesn’t change the mood.
Richard Hammond: Yeah. But II so I think, yeah. But you know, I mean, of course, that that you have you? You see where I’m coming from, but I think.
Richard Hammond: especially in more rural zones. Is that place going to be good for you in the winter for posters. And I think it’s really important, because so many people get it wrong. And also if you’re moving with a family and with kids, consider the schools, because we all know how you know. I think, Fabian, you’ve got. You’ve got
Richard Hammond: kids that go into French schools. They’re French, and my kids are English predominant go into French schools it’s difficult to start off with, and that they’re only one and free. And so, you know, imagine if they’re 12 years old. I’ll have so many friends and and so many journalists that work with us, and and often say that you know you’re so lucky if this kids get the schooling thing, and I was fully educated in France.
Richard Hammond: Fantastic schooling options. But it’s not the easiest thing to do so. Richard Hammond: And then just the social aspect right? Make sure that the social aspect and the location and area is right. So I think we forget about your Ben. Sorry I’ve gone off topic slightly. But I think it’s
Richard Hammond: people are focusing on the legal aspects. We can sort that out.
Richard Hammond: Thousands of people get visas without our help. Thousands of people get visas with our help. But what you’re not going to be able to. What I can’t fix is is this the right place for you, and and also how expensive it’s going to be considerate, because, like moving to Paris, all you Americans watching, don’t you know, I’m not stereotyping it, but for you and all of it is parrot. France is Paris.
Richard Hammond: Francis, Paris, or nice. And when you start a topic, when you say I’m not being offensive, that’s not really good. Right? But yeah, but definitely from that point of view. if you, if you, if you consider other areas, II speak with probably 3 or 4 Americans per day that are looking to read. Okay, and I think
Richard Hammond: there are other areas than Paris, Nice and Bordeaux. You know, there are lots of other options, and they can be financially an awful lot more attractive. And I think that’s super important, because
Richard Hammond: you know that you’re gonna end up not liking the decision that you make if you don’t. If one. You know we all have bad days, and and France has bad days, and like has bad weather, and has, you know, bad restaurants as well, and has, you know, I think if if relocations are stressful enough, so make sure that your finances are right and you haven’t overpaid for something that you could have found elsewhere.
Ben Small: Great message to to Drum, Richard perfect. And you’re right. You said. You said that it comes down to individual journeys. Yeah, that’s something to factor in on this. That’s you. We’re interested on on this webinar to get an idea on on where people
Or yeah trying to go to or what they’re trying to achieve specifically. So I’m gonna bring up a poll. Now, guys, Ben Small: hopefully, that’s all hitting your screens.
Fabien Pelissier: because this will help inform how we respond to questions at the end. So yeah, get involved. There is. Ben. I’ve seen the guys from our team which we didn’t introduce. I was a bit rude, by the way, we forgot about Jen and Marianne, which are working with Richard and I as well.
Fabien Pelissier: And they are working behind the scene to try to answer, you guys Fabien Pelissier: but also so that they were, mentioning that a a few of you are asking about the new legislation
Fabien Pelissier: about second home owners from the Uk. Which may be granted automatic visa long term visa, allowing you to be to stay in France for 6 months a year, basically.
Fabien Pelissier: which is a bit different from the current six-month visa, which is a six-month funeral visa, so that visa would be kind of a six-month year visa
Fabien Pelissier: so just not to get your hopes to pump up the the. The low was voted by the Senate rejected by the French Mps. Basically. Fabien Pelissier: I know they’ve they’ve used forty-ninethree. Yeah. Act which which allows them to force the bill.
Fabien Pelissier: But it’s highly likely that the concise constitutional, which is kind of the overseer of the legislation, will
Fabien Pelissier: probably reject it again. We don’t know. I mean, it might happen so currently. It has passed it. It is not enforced yet, because they still need to get it, live and create that new type of visa so that they’re waiting for the concise constitution. Now, maybe, Richard, you’ll want to comment on this as well. Maybe you have some
Fabien Pelissier: something you’d like to add. Richard Hammond: No, I hate politics. Richard Hammond: no, actually, I was going to say, and this is not a plug. Richard Hammond: But David Yeats, France insider is a journalist provides some really good content
Richard Hammond: is you can find them, of course, online. And they’ve just recently all are going to be published in an article which my barrister Richard Hammond: met her. A nice pencil of Toulouse has has helped publish for for that specific topic.
Richard Hammond: As you mentioned, Fabian, I think at this stage I mean, what I can we can give is certitude, is it will only be 180 days. So it would really only work for second homeowners. It would not be renewable. In France.
Richard Hammond: Remote working visa rules would be the same for any visa, whether it be 90 day, or, you know, 12 months. So that that’s all good for you guys. If it did go through, I just think there’s too much controversy. So it’s kind of very specific. Yeah, yeah? And then, and that’s that’s the problem. I think France has has signed an economic contract with the us recently, and making us businesses easier to come to France, etc.,
Richard Hammond: and in the the very PC. World that we live in, I think there would be too much. Personally, I do believe there would probably be too much discrimination between Richard Hammond: countries, and I think the bill of the Senate, the new immigration bill, if that’s also a question
Is mainly based on Richard Hammond: quotas of people that are entering the country without funds and without access to social care.
Richard Hammond: But but that is, you know, for a lot of Americans. Sadly, you know at the moment a lot of people are also thinking, well, we might return France because of the social system. So it is something that’s worthwhile acknowledging. I can certainly say, that we had a huge problem, as you know, Fabian, with the volume that we used to have on on Cap. Vital requests.
Richard Hammond: Because we provide that as a service, and we now have to package it with everything else, because we can’t just service it on its own. There’s so high high demand on that, really nearly. And they have toughened that application so much. There’s even a new division that’s opened up for to prove
Richard Hammond: income
Richard Hammond: of people coming from overseas. So this works for the guy that’s in the Uae. That’s a multimillion in there that wants to register his family there, that you know. That’s really difficult for him to do that now. But it’s also for somebody that’s receiving social pension from the Us. For instance, that I just had the case of that like, you’re going to have to pay something into the system here. It’s not just quite what it used to be, and I think that’s fair enough.
Richard Hammond: But this new bill is really targeted. Fabien Pelissier: Can you give us an idea, Richard, about the, you know, for us, but because for for bridge experts this is different, thanks to post pricing agreements. But for us.
Fabien Pelissier: what kind of Price Tag are are we talking about for for them to to pay towards the French system.
Richard Hammond: or to enter the French healthcare system? Well, for us, it’s about just under €1,000 per applicant, and it takes between anywhere between 4 to 9 months to actually get into the system. And that’s a one off payment, of course. Then.
Richard Hammond: when you do enter the system, mandatory as as as a foreigner, so to speak. You have to have what we call a mutual top-up, which will follow the the initial private medical cover that is required. And for you guys in the Us. I know there’s an awful lot of controversy about what? Because you often already have private medical cover in the Us.
Richard Hammond: Well, it’s not the same type necessarily as the private medical cover that you need for the visa application process. So it’s always worth
Richard Hammond: contacting. Fab insurance, for instance, to just check that your signal. What have you policy is covering you for the visa application quite often. It wouldn’t, even though you’re paying. And as Fabian will always say, you end up paying multiple times.
Richard Hammond: you know for something that’s frustrating. But it’s just the way that things are.
Richard Hammond: But yeah, to answer the question. Timelines you, you have to be 90 days in France to be able to apply for that healthcare. Then you’ve got to do that application depending on your Cpm, all of the new technology enforcement and change. Let’s say it probably will take you a year to get your cart vital, and then you have to pay for a small top-up metre which is like the the bridge between the 70% that the French Government will give you and the full coverage that’s not mandatory for a French individual. It is
Fabien Pelissier: to take that top up is mandatory for phone. And just to be a bit specific cause the the French system, actually the French, even the French themselves. The native will not understand the system work, and I wouldn’t have understood the system. It shouldn’t. And I worked in the industry myself. So 70% is not 70% of the real expense
Fabien Pelissier: you’ll have to pay. It’s 70% of an index. That’s the site as voting in a way, and the index is kind of what you’re expected to pay. Should you go public and you’d get refunded, whatever you go, public or private, in France, kind of like you might be used to in the Uk with the Nhs kind of, you know. Kind of but but 70. What you have to give in mind is that it’s 70 of an index.
Fabien Pelissier: Okay? And that’s why in France you can see both the changes where you’re refunded. 200 300% you’re like, well, what does that mean? So because obviously, some some doctors which are much more than the index, the thing I’d like to to to sign about this.
Fabien Pelissier: For example. there is a low since 20 2,000% something. Fabien Pelissier: If you have social security plus a metre, you always have one quote that’s for free. You will always have an option that’s for free, even for the glasses. Event for root canal, whatever. Always a free option.
Fabien Pelissier: Well, obviously, if you decide to go with the Gucci frame for your glasses, the State will not pay for that. So then you’ll have an out of pocket expense, but you will get the same refund.
Fabien Pelissier: Whatever you go for the public index or the you know, the the 100% refunded version or the expense of the fancy stuff, you know. So that’s basically. But so don’t get confused with that role of 70. It’s not 70% of the expense of the real expense.
Fabien Pelissier: It’s 70% of an index. Ben Small: Big, big switch there. Fab, but yeah, really good to point out. I just wanted to bring back some stuff on on the Ben Small: the poll that we did just just before we move on to the medical stuff. More more specifically.
Fabian, but what do you guys make of that? I mean, you know, big Chunk in there. Ben Small: are we looking well, over 50% of people Ben Small: 2 years out? Yeah, one year out.
Ben Small: when when do you guys believe people should start acting on on preparing for those 3 pillars that we mentioned at the software, this webinar. Fabien Pelissier: But Richard might elaborate on this.
Fabien Pelissier: As far as I’m concerned. Insurance related that, for example, when you’re buying a property or renting out insurance is mandatory. Fabien Pelissier: so it needs to be sourced before you get the keys or before you enter the apartment as a tenant
Fabien Pelissier: for the visa application. You need to solve the policy before well, actually, the mandatory requirement is that you need to have the policy.
Fabien Pelissier: It doesn’t have to be live, but it needs to be set up so scheduled for a start date at the feast application. Once you go into the in person interview. So at the very latest, I would say, one month ahead.
Fabien Pelissier: I would advise at least 90 days ahead of the intended arrival. Date is a safe, but you also need to source quite an awful lot of documentation to prepare. You move potentially, prepare for a purchase and all. So Richard might elaborate on this, and probably will push you towards a 6 month
Fabien Pelissier: plus a deadline. Richard Hammond: You’re laughing, Fabian, because I’m going to say you need to sign up. If I was 12 months beforehand these days, I think I have a record of like 24 months beforehand. I think what we we’ve understood
Richard Hammond: here is that these things are quite often not Richard Hammond: considered likely. So Richard Hammond: for most of my American clients. It’s a progressional move. Richard Hammond: it might be. First, they have a second home.
Richard Hammond: They might rent first, they then buy a property. They then might spend more and more time in the country and eventually move.
Richard Hammond: I think there is clearly, without wanting to push people to to do this quicker, sooner or later. But I think there is a window of opportunity right now. Clearly, there’s an awful lot of talk about this Cartesian toughening and language tests coming in.
Richard Hammond: So if you have got the financial capacity, and you do aspire to live in France.
Richard Hammond: do it now, because the quicker you get your visa, the quicker you get your cut decision. This is not me as a sales pitch. It’s just genuinely. I’ve seen it beforehand. We’ve seen it with Brexit. People have hold it off.
Richard Hammond: have held off, and then it’s happened. And then, of course, it’s then not too late. But it’s just become more complex.
Richard Hammond: so the sooner the better. For that. I mean, I can issue a visa appointment. Get your Doc. File ready within a month, sometimes within less time than that if required. But equally we do have clients that literally sign up with our services a year beforehand. So
Richard Hammond: the reason they would do. That is because we can schedule monthly payments as well free of charge, so they can actually make their finer again preparing these finances. When you’re in the financial world, you know, if your exchange rates are good at that time, and you want to. You know you actually want to contract my services before you can totally do that.
Richard Hammond: We’ve created an online platform which allows you to track all of your application and upload all of your documents on your online portal. I think it’s unique in the hand holding service. We’ve got really invested the most amount of of money in our own technology so that we can
Richard Hammond: help people move. So on the longer term Richard Hammond: way beforehand, so they can organize themselves. So I would say, really to be comfortable with what we do, probably even 6 months before, because there are also things like Richard Hammond: as you would do for
Richard Hammond: applying for a mortgage right? You would prepare your bank accounts for the next 6 months beforehand you would clean your affairs up. You would be selling your property. You’d be doing all these kinds of good things
Richard Hammond: so genuinely, I think, for for me it could be on average, probably 6 months before you moved to contact us. But sometimes even before. And you know for us, we don’t really have as similar to Fabian. We can. We can lock things in. But for for my clients it’s more about actually being able to budget forecast. Get that out the way, knowing that we’ve got that kind of in place and also collect their data. Apply for original birth certificates.
Richard Hammond: you know. Find I don’t know. Change your driver’s license state for the Us. For instance. That could be because the the weird thing is certain. States are not exchangeable in France. Certain of them are. If you’ve got the opportunity to change, you won’t have to sit your test again and start learning French.
Richard Hammond: There’s for for for the Us. I really thoroughly recommend the Alliance fancies, and they have chapters all over the country.
Richard Hammond: and you can start doing courses with them beforehand. And actually our member of staff in the Us. Is a tutor at the early on. So in Minnesota. But yeah, I think I would recommend. And you are going to be doing this a year before I mean a few of you just jumping on the jet right?
Richard Hammond: Call me a week before she was moving into her chateau and needed to get her visa. So we can do it really super fast. But I think, you know, for most of you this is a long process, so, at least for us, at least 6 months beforehand is is great, and we can. We can then accompany you throughout, and don’t forget for our journey. It’s it’s, you know, for Fabian services. Yes, we’re focused on the visa right now. But we’ll provide you services like
Richard Hammond: telephone translations, booking appointments, helping you with tax returns. Things like that throughout your life in France. Most probably.
Richard Hammond: So you know, we’re not fussed about you signing up that far ahead just because we want to sign up. It’s just a genuine need. It can be reassuring to have your ducks in a row, so to speak.
Richard Hammond: and we can. We can hold off for a few things our barrister can check through your documents beforehand. So yeah, if you want to sign up a year before. Richard Hammond: Fabian will laugh, but for me it’s all good.
Fabien Pelissier: No, no, actually I don’t laugh because it’s it’s it’s just. It’s for me, obviously that there’s not much I can say. I cannot sell something that early, but it definitely makes sense.
Fabien Pelissier: and also to had had everyone a bit of a hope, because while Richard Richard is correct, is the planning guy, and and and the sooner you get things started the better. And exactly like you’ve said, you know well, the Uk is the brightest example of this when no one was expecting Brexit, and then it created a bit of a mess for people who wanted to relocate, so don’t wait for something catastrophic to happen. If you do want to move across, then try to make it real as quickly as possible.
Fabien Pelissier: However. To kind of light the mood up a bit you know. People have mentioned the the French language test, and this is something I like to say I have American clients which are pick, because. Fabien Pelissier: for example, the braids
Fabien Pelissier: they didn’t have to have a Residency permit before. So but American clients which have been on Residency permits for 30 years.
Fabien Pelissier: and they don’t speak a single word of French, or like perhaps, something like order, a drink that could do like our cafes in booklet things like maybe something like that. But they’re very basic. Fabien Pelissier: Ensure, they’re changing the legislation. And Fabien Pelissier: so again. This is all a bit
Fabien Pelissier: unclear for now. But other, as far as I’m understood, the the low that has been passed recently Fabien Pelissier: everything that they are concerned. Well, considering doing is in regard to these multi-year Residency permits. Fabien Pelissier: So the visa application the one year Residency permit, for now they’re unaffected, which means
Fabien Pelissier: can still come to France. Live in France kind of permanently. Without speaking French, I would definitely advise you to speak a bit of French just to avoid being frauded when when you buy some stuff, or with builders, or whatever.
Fabien Pelissier: But this is also important, that this could be a learning curve, and even the requirement, the language test that they’ve created right. Now, this is really a very basic level of friends they’re asking for. So so first, important to remember that. It’s only for the multi use permit for now.
Fabien Pelissier: and it’s only something they’re considering on doing. And it’s not certain that this will pass for sure after the console constitution now so still, the possibility that this this could be rejected
Fabien Pelissier: or part of this, and even if it is. This is a very basic level of French and formal to your spare me, this is really important to keep that in mind, because I know this is kind of a pull off for some for some of you guys.
Fabien Pelissier: And this definitely usually is a learning curve. You don’t have to speak French, at least for the first couple of years. Fabien Pelissier: so leaves you plenty of time to acclimate yourself into the French culture.
Fabien Pelissier: and also remember, that from their perspective from our perspective. You look exotic. So everyone will want to talk with you because you’re for rain. And usually the French Fabien Pelissier: we’ll, we’ll love foreign guys. So Ben Small: yeah, absolutely true. If you put yourself out there that normally very welcome to
Ben Small: well, provide support and yeah, help you into the community. That is, for sure. Actually, if I was realize the the time we’ve go this way, and I’m yet to put you very much under the microscope yet about your core expertise. So I would like to address that if I may, on the medical insurance front.
Ben Small: let’s say people are very much now in the the bang on the timeline. They should be starting to look into these things while the key tips to make sure people get it right? Fabien Pelissier: Okay? So
Fabien Pelissier: first, just in case you I’ve seen you. You’ve asked a lot of question. Guys don’t worry. Jen and Marin probably are answering you, but we every unanswered question will manually review and answer. You know, after the the webinar we want to make sure everyone is is being answered. I’ve also copy States links to book consultation with Richard and I, you know, should you have any other questions? One on one consultations?
Fabien Pelissier: But yeah, but actually sexiest stuff ever, which is a insurance. Indeed. You’re right, Ben. yeah. So Richard was pointing it out. I don’t remember if it was the second or third peeler.
Fabien Pelissier: But yeah, insurance so it’s not really insurance. I want to make sure you have medical coverage when in France that you do not have a medical coverage gap. So that means, for example, like, it’s actually a generic situation. If you are European, or if you have access to a European medical card, like, you know, from social security, from I don’t know Germany, whatever.
Fabien Pelissier: And this will work Fabien Pelissier: as an exemption the geek, for example, from the Uk. Doesn’t work because Fabien Pelissier: it’s not valid for residency. You need something that could be valid all through the course of one year something permanent.
Fabien Pelissier: So most of the time for non-europeans. That means you need to source private medical insurance for the first year. That requirement remains valid for residency applications.
Fabien Pelissier: Many people forget about that from you, too, because they’re like, Oh, yeah, we part of print social security. But Richard touched space with that and saying, Well, you need to top it up. And this is not an optional thing. It’s a mandatory requirement.
Fabien Pelissier: And just just to be clear. You are not the only ones in France which which do have the mandatory requirement. Marianne and I Fabien Pelissier: right. We are employees of the company. and as employees this is also mandatory for employees to have a mutual.
Fabien Pelissier: So there are categories of people in France which do have to have a top of health insurance. Fabien Pelissier: So that include you guys.
Fabien Pelissier: So you will need private medical insurance as long as you’re not part of the French system. And once you’re part of the French system. You need to top it up like mandatory. Fabien Pelissier: As Richard was saying, as well.
Fabien Pelissier: Private medical insurance you can find all across the board, all you know all across the planet. You’ll find, insurers willing to ensure you the the requirements for that are very specific. However, depending on where you’re applying from us Canada, Uk. It can be Fabien Pelissier: more or less
Fabien Pelissier: picky and apply the rules more or less by the book
Fabien Pelissier: so well, I can bombard you with the theoretical requirements, you know. No, I the policy shouldn’t have any kind of access deductible. Nothing like that. It should be comprehensive plan in an outpatient benefits. You should have a repatriation policy included plenty of stuff like that. But basically my advice would always be.
Fabien Pelissier: go with an insurance company that knows the drill that has like a track record history. Obviously, I’ll tell you we’re the best work with us. Fabien Pelissier: But whoever you’re going with, make sure that they they processed
Fabien Pelissier: hundreds, if not thousands, of visa applications. French applications, you know. It’s French specific. Fabien Pelissier: Make sure they have a like a money back, guarantee that we do offer. That means they’re comfortable selling you that policy
Fabien Pelissier: and and but really make sure they’ve done it plenty of times, because even if they have a money back guarantee. If your policy, if the the visa application is denied because of the policy, and I’m seeing that very often people turning to us because their policy has been denied.
Fabien Pelissier: They’re now in a rush. They’ve been into an an interview. It’s been rejected. and they have to provide another entrance policy very quickly. Sometimes they may have to pay 2 policies because the former intro would not refund them.
Fabien Pelissier: and sometimes they have to book another appointment. So it’s a waste of time. You may miss the spot you you intended to have. You may have lost money. so that’s why I’m sorry not to be the fear, monger. But just just make sure you’re working with guys that not really. Obviously. Again, I’ll tell you we’re the best. But
Fabien Pelissier: even if you work with the competition. Just make sure you’re working with people that have done that. Not just a couple of times. Fabien Pelissier: like hundreds of times, literally like, if not thousands of times. Fabien Pelissier: So yeah, all that being said,
Fabien Pelissier: I’ve said basically what it makes the policy compliance, no access, no deductible. Fabien Pelissier: comprehensive policy Fabien Pelissier: €30,000 cover. But again, this typical example of some things that’s typically French.
Fabien Pelissier: The textbook requirement is €30,000. You should have a cover. €30,000, no medical exclusions. But, for example, if you made, if you have medical exclusions on your policy, but it’s not written on the certificate of insurance, they’ll be happy with it.
Fabien Pelissier: or if you apply at the London or the New York Centre in the Us. Or London in the UK. They expect to see a hundred 1,000, Fabien Pelissier: because those why, there’s no reason, just maybe, that the finger posture there I don’t know.
Fabien Pelissier: But this is so. This is why working with people who knows about it. You know they’ve they’ve seen the process 100 of time, because you make going like, yeah, I know I meet all the requirements. And all of a sudden, what will you do if you had a
Fabien Pelissier: at at the appointment? And they tell you no, I’m not happy with that. Fabien Pelissier: even if you are in your right to say, well, I’m meeting the requirements. What will you do? So don’t you know? Don’t gamble with that work with people that has been again
Fabien Pelissier: work with us. It’s guaranteed. But work with other people, if you’d like, just make sure you you sticking with guys that I’ve done that has done it. And I’ve done track record about doing it, I think. Yeah, I think Richard said it. The soft as well super important to use battle tested solutions. Actually, there is something Richard signed quite often. And more I think about it, the more II think it’s correct. Is that working with people who are actually French.
Fabien Pelissier: It makes an awful lot of a difference, because Fabien Pelissier: well, obviously, it looks a bit pedantic from but but I mean. Fabien Pelissier: you know, the French are very particular, especially the administration. There is sometimes a massive like mode
Fabien Pelissier: between theoretical requirements and the way you should be dressing the bride in a way, you know.
Richard Hammond: and working with guys who understand the culture. Go ahead, Richard. You know II was gonna butt in there because I haven’t mentioned that. And it’s always, you know, I think, for those guys watching this today
Richard Hammond: what I can share. And I think while we’ve been successful. Yes, I care. And we’ve built, you know. I worked for big companies. So I stole the good ideas of how to look after them, and I always worked in luxury brands beforehand, and I think that helped me. But I think genuinely what? What? Why.
Richard Hammond: this and Fabian I you know, work well together. Why, Ben, you know you, you bring an edge to the clients that you deal with is because, having grown up with 2 cultures and understanding the Richard Hammond: true intricacy of the differences between the English speaking language worldwide.
Richard Hammond: and I mean for me, being an English person. When I went to America and lived there and worked for Americans. I couldn’t believe how open you guys are like you’ll walk up and you’ll say, nice shirt. And I’m like what
Richard Hammond: that’s weird you talking to me. I don’t know you, so I think, you know, we’ve all, even in the English language. We’ve got an awful lot of cultural differences. But in France. It’s really notable, I mean. Fabian and I,
Richard Hammond: born grew grew up in the southwest of France. Anything north of Bordeaux for us is is
Richard Hammond: actually probably not even off part of France. Right? We we cope with pulled over because the wines. Okay? But but that you know, that’s a huge thing, and within business. But my point being is that I think also my best way to describe this. Okay, if you have
Richard Hammond: French people in a bar, they will actually argue the hell out of it. You think they’re having a full argument. And then, seconds later, they sat down. And they’re drinking together England or in the US. If you have that kind of argument, you’re not talking to anyone again. That’s it. That’s finished. And I think in French, admin it’s exactly the same.
Richard Hammond: and I think for me my theory and the theory that for me, business language, the business language of the world, is English. This is a theory, and so don’t hate me for this. But
Richard Hammond: I think it’s not because it’s the easiest to learn. I think it’s because the the English language is one of the only languages in the world that doesn’t have
Richard Hammond: third person of plural. So you straight away, you address somebody as Ben as Fabian, that the proximity in business. I’ve felt it immensely. I was trained in sales marketing in France, and it’s very difficult to sell in France, because you’re talking in the third person of plural also happen to speak Spanish as you do, Fabia, and we have the same thing in Spanish right instead.
Richard Hammond: In France. It’s very formal, and you can fall out in the third person of plural. It doesn’t matter. You can then have a drink together, but you can’t really, in in the English language, so I think the approach Richard Hammond: to business.
Richard Hammond: and certainly I was recruited by American firms to be like a double agent, to be able to work with the French, but also be able to work on the English level. And that’s all we bring. We bring the English level, the British American level of service that I understood, and like working with, which is very rewarding when you get it right, but also incredibly difficult to get right. But that’s the challenge, but the French side of the thing, the culture
Richard Hammond: is required. I can’t recruit people with an accent, in a way, and this sounds awful to do the jobs of certain people in my team that have to be French because they’re going to have to fall out with the Cpm. Which is the ques Primer Desjan’s malady for those asking. It is the central hub of health care for France. Right?
Richard Hammond: Well, you’re gonna have to fall out with them very politely. It doesn’t mean you wouldn’t go out for a drink with them later, which is really weird in our English culture. Right? But I think that’s the subtle nuance that you’re trying to bring there, Fabian is. You could have lived for 30 years in France
Richard Hammond: unless you’re born there, live through that culture experience. The social change between those 2. They’re nearly 2 bodies, and that’s why we love, you know. That’s why people are in love with France. I never cease to be amazed.
Richard Hammond: You Americans that watch French movies that learn French that you know. Maybe you’ve ever been to France, but feel this emotional connection with the land. I think that emotional collection you you feel it with the language.
Richard Hammond: not so much the the actual, the country itself. And so I was surprised. I’m actually sat in our office in the UK. At the moment, and I went to a local pub in Kent, and there was a gentleman approached me, and he said, oh, you lived in France, or you live in France. And he’s like, Yeah, yeah. And all my wife. She’s learning French. She’s never planned to go to France, but she’s learned fluent French, and I’m always amazed by this connection. And I think
Richard Hammond: that’s what brings the difference between even those applications. The reason Fabio and I can actually work our way around these applications is because we understand the logic. That is the French one.
Richard Hammond: We understand where you know the rule book can take you and other things, and I think that’s the key thing. And I think that’s what you know Ben was to lead into initially. Is that the Richard Hammond: what are the key tips
Richard Hammond: the key tips that you’re probably not going to get that cultural thing straight away. It’s it’s probably not going to happen for years, and it might not ever happen. It doesn’t have to. By the way, you can live perfectly ever after in your sort of part of France that you choose to create your own island, so to speak. But if you want to immerse yourself, and you want to save yourself time you need somebody that can actually guard you through that that understands that that difference. And for me it’s been a huge challenge in business
Richard Hammond: to recruit people that could work on the American standard, which is for me the standard
Richard Hammond: of work around the world. I think that’s that’s very clear. It’s the it’s the way that I would like to be able to run the business, moving forward, that attention to detail, that openness of communication with clients, that constant kind of
Richard Hammond: feedback loop that never ends, which we don’t quite have in the Uk. But we’re working our way to. But certainly then, having that ability to interact with the French authorities I mean Fabian’s team. I think Fabian’s done a great job of creating
Richard Hammond: a successful business, but the main thing is, he has a thank you, Marianne, for the shout-out. Yeah, I’ll ask for a raise for you soon. But but the point is, you’ve created a great team right? A great team that understand the French process that now have started to understand. And I say start because you start to understand after a certain time, how the English language.
Richard Hammond: expectancy of service works and the reassurance. You know the Pole, that you’re going through, Ben, and you’re saying, like the highest level of stress is what the visa. I know that. So for me, the visa process is as stressful is for unit, and it is for team, because you don’t really know the outcome until you get your passport back. By the way, and I think we haven’t really covered that topic. But shall we just jump into that because it’s one of the highest wins that the visa application process varies
Richard Hammond: all over the world to a certain point. So this morning I was preparing clients and New Zealand. That will be going straight to the French Consulate. So they were. Obviously, they’re gonna be dealing with French consular, because that in a way, New Zealand small country, and
Richard Hammond: it’s going to be a direct hit, if you like, with the French authorities. Richard Hammond: Countries like the Us. Canada, you will be dealing with a company called Vfs. And they will be the intermediaries, if you like, between
Richard Hammond: you and the French Government. So those appointments are held around the country. You can choose wherever you want to go. In our case we book all of this and prepare you for all of this. But this is what it looks like. Right. You go to that appointment. You meet somebody that may have never gone to France before. That’s gonna check essentially that you are who you say you are that you filled in your forms correctly and gonna send all of that good stuff to DC. If you’re in the US. Of course.
Richard Hammond: for the consulate to approve your visa, and if you’re in the Uk. Same thing, you’re going to be dealing with a company called Tls, which managed this for many other countries. By the way, so you’re going to be maybe sat in an office in Wandsworth with 150 Japanese students applying for a visa for Japan. But the point being is that it’s kind of
Richard Hammond: that that the processes vary. But but in context you are going to have to go somewhere, present yourself. Put that form in, and you’re not going to know until the visas come back, either posted or actually you’ve gone to collect it, which we recommend that you can.
Richard Hammond: You’re not going to actually find that out until you open up your passport and see what’s in there. So it’s literally poker faced to the very, very end. And then you’re going to have to go to France within 3 months to validate your visa. So that’s what we call visa validation where you’re going to be introduced to the French tax system, where you’re going to pay your visa validation the first amount tax in France. So you’re actually going to have to pay a fee directly to the Government. Then you’ve got your 10 month. Wait, then you’ll cut the schedule, and then you do the same again. So
Richard Hammond: in France this time. So so there is a key structure and process to that. And I think that what Fabian was trying directly I agree with you is that you make sure that you’ve got a company, if not, if they’re not French, that they’ve got actually French people working in there to do these things because they’re just difficult to work their way around culturally. Otherwise, you know, I think that’s, I think, what’s Fabian saying? And I think we
Richard Hammond: probably didn’t notice that for quite a while. Right, Fabian, we would, I think, the first
Richard Hammond: going to these marketplaces and and going to these existing shows and activities and webinars kind of. And we realized that we were the only French companies there, Ben, you’ve been in it for longer than us, in a way. So we’re like the only French companies
Richard Hammond: in the French move into France market, which is kind of weird, right? All French people, because I consider myself French. I’m from the southwest of France. But yeah, it’s just a weird thing. But I think that’s really key. I think that’s what you’re pointing upon. And and we noticed it the other day we were actually talking about you, Ben. We were having a
Richard Hammond: a drink in Bayonne, and I know that you’ve been there with Fabia not long beforehand.
Richard Hammond: and that is, you know, my other half, said Christ. I this is, feels really foreign to me, and I was like this is, this is home for me, you know, like this is really. And so it’s such a.
Richard Hammond: It’s a deep thing, right? And I think it is you’ve you’ve got, I think, to follow Fabian’s word and advice there, if you’re going to use people, make sure that they actually are people that understand
Richard Hammond: France, really, truly, and it’s not me just saying that because I think I do. I know I do, because you know, that’s how I was brought up. That’s how that’s how we’ve been uniquely successful. That’s if we pan it down to that. And a lot of hard work and commitment. But really it’s because it comes from a true place, and I think
For all of you watching today, I think that’s the the key thing. And with France it is. If you’re moving to France, I think, for a majority of people Richard Hammond: there’s 2 elements that bring you to France of the country
Richard Hammond: and the the cheap wine. No, I’m not the love of the country and and the cheap real estate, the value for money. Like all of these guys living in the Western world, we all know it. You know you’re living in New York. You’ve got a great job, a fantastic career, but you’re living in a small apartment. It’s worth loads of money in France compared to Chateau’s, etc. And one other word of advice I would give whilst we’re giving, and I haven’t been asked, but I will give it. Anyway.
Richard Hammond: I think I’ve already started. Is that also? Don’t be carried away by the size of the property, because an awful lot of people are moving, you know. Unfortunately, I think this is a truth. They’re moving because it’s a better life.
Richard Hammond: and it is a better life. Guys. You you will get better quality food in supermarkets. You will get less, less people in schools for your kids. You will get cheaper health care. You will get a very safe country in parts, because we all have our problems. You know, Paris and its outskirts are not the best places to live, you know. That’s the reality. France is not this massive wonderland.
Richard Hammond: but within it there are some pockets of absolute gold, and I think Richard Hammond: when you are moving just on the property alone. Be careful of that, because I think that’s you know.
Richard Hammond: What I was alluding to earlier is that you know you’ve got to make sure that the area is also right for you that you feel that rooted connection, because otherwise I think you’ll end up a little bit. Richard Hammond: You’re you’re only going to love your big house, and you’re
Richard Hammond: free hour lawnmower ride so much, you know. But it’s true, though it’s a first real problem, right? But when you move to a big house, and you realize that you got to spend 3 or 4 h cut in your grass. It’s okay if you’re retired. But a lot of Americans, I think that my clients like to move to. And I think this is a really cool thing, by the way, so thank you, America
Richard Hammond: and God bless you guys. But the point being is that it is really cool, that I think from a majority of my American clients Richard Hammond: you look to move to cities or to towns to have that walk down in the morning, have a cafe, a baguette, etc.
Richard Hammond: It’s quite a shame in a lot of the rural areas, and notably where I grew up in Iran in the southwest of France, where
Richard Hammond: the French are moving out of the centers, the British usually buy big country houses and renovate shadows, and that’s great. And the French love us Brits, by the way, for renovating all of these old houses that we wouldn’t otherwise live in
Richard Hammond: but the the Americans tend to come in and move into smaller cities, hamlets, and and renovate townhouses, and really have that French experience. And I think also. And so you’re moving from America. You’re gonna be planning this for longer.
Ben Small: Yeah, for sure. What? Why do you think that is why, why a brits going for big places with lots of land and all that stuff versus Americans going into towns. What? What’s driving that? Richard Hammond: Oh, I think. I think. Generally speaking, the the American
Richard Hammond: people that are moving are in love with France. This is a long planned journey to France, sometimes 2030 years in the making right. And
Richard Hammond: I think it’s a transitional move as well. It’s very easy to get in the car and drive to France from the UK. From America. I think it’s more okay. We’ll take it one step at a time, because I’ve lived in America, and I felt very far away from home. If I’m honest, I loved it, but I did feel very far away from home, so I think there is the fact that in a town you get all of the benefits I love being in the Uk. When I can walk to the local
Richard Hammond: store like. The pubs, the things that you know that’s that’s that’s that’s a luxury for me. So I think it’s the same luxury for somebody that’s from America to be able to walk down, get fresh bread, go to their little thing, have their cafe, have their brassery meal, and that’s what’s great about so many rural parts of France that you might have not considered. You get all of your Paris stuff
Richard Hammond: somewhere. That’s like 70% cheaper, if not 80% cheaper. And really, what you’re looking for is probably there. And I’m creating these little communities. So yeah, I’m working my way to do it. But I think in general, that’s kind of the drive. And I think there are
Richard Hammond: an awful lot of
Richard Hammond: families as well. Younger families now, thanks to remote working, moving to France. And so for a lot of those are from the UKI see a few questions coming up from remote working and own in Uk companies. I can answer from a position I do. I own the Uk business and the French one. French regulations are pretty clear as long as you’re you’re working remotely from your laptop, but they are
Richard Hammond: regulations in the Uk. Of how much time you need to spend in the Uk. To be a director of a limited company.
Richard Hammond: So you know, you need to get in touch with people like myself and Fabian. In those contexts. Because, you know, we do it. We’re doing it real live, you know. I’ve got an Rc. In the Us. So I’ve had to learn all of these things sort of firsthand. So although I do have a lawyer and a barrister in my team. I’ve I’ve also got an awful lot of life experience with that. And so is Fabian. Of course, because we’re both
Richard Hammond: running businesses that are growing and dealing with international people every day. So this morning I was with somebody applying in New Zealand this afternoon I had 2 appointments in the Us. Then I had an appointment in Montenegro, and finishing off with somebody in London which I haven’t forgotten about. We’ll be sending you, but that’s the the scope of what we do these days. So I think it is, and I’m so happy to be able to bring that back to France.
Richard Hammond: because, you know, France has given me so much in that context, and and that ability to be able to to give back and to help people, you know, make their lives in a way better, because it is. There is such a transition. You see, you know what is considered successful in the UK.
Richard Hammond: And the US. Is Richard Hammond: essentially a monetary sum. and the 1 h journey. And Richard Hammond: we’re based in Kent for obvious reasons at the moment. And some people here don’t even see their kids during daylight, because they’re commuting to to London for an hour.
Richard Hammond: and then they’re commuting back, and they’re earning plenty of money, I guess. Richard Hammond: But you know, if you could do that from your office home office in France, wouldn’t that be lovely? Ben Small: I’ve just seen the mark a good time to
Ben Small: stop there. But hopefully, everyone really enjoyed the information shared. We’ve had so many questions through, and actually plenty of topics. So we haven’t hit directly, rest assured, guys, you’ll be get one last thing, Ben. Richard Hammond: Sorry one last, John, because I’ve seen loads of questions come in. I’ll answer it.
Richard Hammond: Bank accounts for Americans. We work with Ben Pipaliba. You can just go straight through onto our website through our client portal, create a login, open the bank account, it will be even able. You’ll even be able to do it from the Us.
Richard Hammond: And they will be able to send your debit card to your US. Address before you move to France. Fabien Pelissier: and just and just to to kind of top up that comment.
Fabien Pelissier: We, we will send like a mail shot after the event. To all of you guys that has registered and attended the the webinar, or actually missed the webinar, so that we will send the the links for booking consultations with Richard and myself, if you like. Also will publish the replay on a Youtube. Channel. I’ve sent the link in here.
Fabien Pelissier: and again, we’ll try to answer everyone’s questions individually. It may take a while because I’ve seen quite a few questions. But if you’ve left your email when you registered we’ll get back in touch and try to answer the questions in time. Sorry? Sorry, guys, I mean. This was a bigger success than expected. Thank you for that.
Fabien Pelissier: But so we but make sure we will answer each of your questions, and sorry for those who we could not address. Live but we will definitely be answering you.
Fabien Pelissier: Sorry. Yeah. I would not say if you’ve Napoleon, because Richard is calling me Napoleon all the time, but that goes to leave Lafrance. Fabien Pelissier: Are we good guys? Good guys? Richard Hammond: Yeah. Yeah. Fabien Pelissier: Okay.
Richard Hammond: so thank you. Sorry, sir. Yeah. I think, Ben, I was just going to saying things to everyone. Thank you, Fabian, for organizing this. Thank you. To all of the people that Fabian you’ve reached out to to get people onto the Webinars today. I mean, it’s been really cool. It’s the, you know, the second edition for you guys. So so congratulations. Thank you, Ben, for being
Richard Hammond: such a great host as usual, mate well done, even with less hair than usual. And thanks, thanks, thanks, Ben, for this, because Ben is actually and and and I think, hey, so, Fabian, without plugging it, if people want to.
Richard Hammond: If people want to meet us in real life and you are from the UK. Don’t forget that we’ve got 2 shows coming up in the yeah Uk French property news, which is in London.
Richard Hammond: and we’ve got a place in the sum. Ask it. Actually, can you give the dates, Fabian? Because I’m terrible with them this weekend, the 20 eighth, I think this weekend, and next weekend is London, and we can share those as well if you want to come and meet us.
Fabien Pelissier: Yeah. Third and fourth of February, yeah. Richard Hammond: And the week before. Yeah. And then the weekend, the 28. Yeah.
Richard Hammond: super. We’re gonna try to do another one. I’m plug in my own webinar. We’ve got one planned on the 8. So anyone that didn’t didn’t get the full session. You can join again with us. We’re gonna be talking. You’ll have my barrister and one of my legal aids there, because they’re the people that work behind the scenes for me, and they’re fantastic a bit like Fabian’s team. So I want to get them live, and you can ask them questions as well. Ben, you’re welcome to come over with bit more hair next time.
3 Comments
give me a opportunity for living in france thanks , dear ,👍❤️🙏
it,s so wonderful discission.
i appreaciated it very much.
please link your social media and email so that i will communicate you and grow your youtube channel within few months.
thank you and best wishes
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