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 · Decide & qualifyFree
- 2 · Tax & money prep🔒
- 3 · Visa & validation🔒
- 4 · The move🔒
- 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.
Let's be honest about what this is
We'd rather you skip this than buy the wrong thing. So here's the straight version:
This is for you if…
- ✓ You're seriously planning a move to France (roughly within the next 18 months).
- ✓ You want the money & tax steps in the right order, with the pitfalls flagged before you hit them.
- ✓ You'd rather do what you can yourself and only pay specialists for what you genuinely must.
It's NOT for you if…
- ✕ You want someone to do your visa paperwork — we don't (we tell you who can).
- ✕ You're after a shortcut or a way around the rules — there isn't one here.
- ✕ You need personalised legal, tax or migration advice — this is an educational plan, not advice.
Every figure links to its official source and is dated. When the rules change, we update it — accuracy is the whole point.
1 · Decide & qualify
Weeks 1–6Since Brexit you need a visa. Pick the right long-stay (VLS-TS) category before you apply.
- 1
Choose your VLS-TS category
DIY — but double-checkWorker (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
Assemble proof of means & accommodation
DIY — but double-checkMost categories require evidence of sufficient income/savings and somewhere to live. Gather statements, any French rental/ownership and travel insurance.
- 3
Apply on France-Visas and book your appointment
Do it yourselfComplete 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 1–3France taxes worldwide income — and your pension treatment changed after Brexit. Plan before you go.
3 · Visa & validation
Months 2–4Get the visa, then validate it after you arrive — miss this and your status lapses.
4 · The move
Months 3–5Removals and EU pet travel for a French arrival.
5 · Landing (first 30 days)
Arrival + 30 daysRegister and get into the French system.
Unlock the full playbook
$49 one-time
All 5 phases, every document checklist, and free updates when the rules change.
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Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Verify current rules via the official links before acting.