Offramp← France guide
Financial-Emigration Playbook

UK → France Financial-Emigration Playbook

A guided, document-by-document checklist that takes you from “thinking about it” to landed — with the tax and money steps in the right order, the pitfalls to avoid, and what you can do yourself vs. pay a specialist for. Updated 2026-06.

Get the full playbook — $49

All 5 phases. Phase 1 is a free preview below.

What's inside (5 phases)

  1. 1 · Decide & qualifyFree
  2. 2 · Tax & money prep🔒
  3. 3 · Visa & validation🔒
  4. 4 · The move🔒
  5. 5 · Landing (first 30 days)🔒

Why get this before calling a specialist

A cross-border tax adviser or immigration lawyer can charge $3,000–$10,000+ to handle a move — and you often pay before you even understand what you actually need. This playbook gives you the full sequence first, so you:

  • ✓ Walk into any specialist conversation knowing exactly what to ask and prepare.
  • ✓ Do the steps you can handle yourself — and only pay for the ones you can't.
  • ✓ Avoid the expensive ordering mistakes (a non-qualifying pension transfer, or realising gains at the wrong time) that specialists can't undo after the fact.

It's not a substitute for advice on your specific situation — it's the map that makes that advice faster, cheaper, and far less stressful.

1 · Decide & qualify

Weeks 1–6

Since Brexit you need a visa. Pick the right long-stay (VLS-TS) category before you apply.

  1. 1

    Choose your VLS-TS category

    DIY — but double-check

    Worker (with a French employer), 'visitor' (self-sufficient, no work in France), or a Talent Passport (skilled/entrepreneur). Each has different income and evidence requirements.

    Why it matters: The category sets what you must prove — a wrong choice means a refusal or a visa that doesn't let you work.

    ⚠ Pitfall: Applying as a 'visitor' then trying to work — the visitor visa forbids French employment.

    Official source ↗
  2. 2

    Assemble proof of means & accommodation

    DIY — but double-check

    Most categories require evidence of sufficient income/savings and somewhere to live. Gather statements, any French rental/ownership and travel insurance.

  3. 3

    Apply on France-Visas and book your appointment

    Do it yourself

    Complete the France-Visas portal, then attend the external provider (TLScontact/VFS) for biometrics and document submission.

Documents to prepare

Passport · Proof of income/savings · Proof of accommodation · Private health insurance · Certified translations

That's Phase 1. Unlock Phases 2–5— the tax, money & visa steps.

2 · Tax & money prep

Months 1–3

France taxes worldwide income — and your pension treatment changed after Brexit. Plan before you go.

🔒 3 steps — unlock with the Pack

3 · Visa & validation

Months 2–4

Get the visa, then validate it after you arrive — miss this and your status lapses.

🔒 2 steps — unlock with the Pack

4 · The move

Months 3–5

Removals and EU pet travel for a French arrival.

🔒 3 steps — unlock with the Pack

5 · Landing (first 30 days)

Arrival + 30 days

Register and get into the French system.

🔒 3 steps — unlock with the Pack

Unlock the full playbook

$49 one-time

All 5 phases, every document checklist, and free updates when the rules change.

Not ready? Join the list instead:

Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Verify current rules via the official links before acting.