🇬🇧 United Kingdom → 🇫🇷 France
Emigrating from the UK to France: the real cost
Post-Brexit, Britons need a visa to settle. The long-stay visa (VLS-TS) is the usual route for workers, retirees and the self-sufficient — bureaucratic, but a clear path.
Difficulty
Moderate
Timeline
2–5 mo
Currency
EUR
Cost-to-leave estimator
🇬🇧 United Kingdom → 🇫🇷 France. Indicative ranges, not a quote.
Estimated total cost to leave
€8,547 – €23,397
Fees reviewed 2026-06. Indicative FX. Not financial, tax or migration advice. Official fees ↗
Your pension
Since Brexit, transferring a UK pension into an EEA QROPS can trigger HMRC's 25% Overseas Transfer Charge unless you're resident where the QROPS is based (France has few domestic QROPS, so Malta QROPS are sometimes used — complex, not always worth it). Most leave the pension in the UK. France taxes residents on worldwide income and has a property wealth tax (IFI); the UK-France treaty governs how pensions are taxed. Specialist advice is essential.
Dig deeper on France
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to emigrate from the UK to France?
It varies by family size and route, but most households should budget across visa fees, medical and police checks, flights, cross-border tax/pension advice and a landing fund. Use the estimator on this page for a personalised range. Post-Brexit, Britons need a visa to settle. The long-stay visa (VLS-TS) is the usual route for workers, retirees and the self-sufficient — bureaucratic, but a clear path.
Can I transfer my UK pension to France?
Since Brexit, transferring a UK pension into an EEA QROPS can trigger HMRC's 25% Overseas Transfer Charge unless you're resident where the QROPS is based (France has few domestic QROPS, so Malta QROPS are sometimes used — complex, not always worth it). Most leave the pension in the UK. France taxes residents on worldwide income and has a property wealth tax (IFI); the UK-France treaty governs how pensions are taxed. Specialist advice is essential.
How long does the move to France take?
Typically 2–5 months. Long-stay visa (VLS-TS): worker, visitor or talent-passport categories.
Get the France financial-emigration playbook
Step-by-step checklist for UK tax residency, your pension, moving money and banking. Join the list for launch pricing.
Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Fees reviewed 2026-06; verify current figures via the official links above before acting.