Move to France... Work in the UK

[chrislowe]

Hi guys (and girls).

The Long suffering Mrs Lowe and I are considering a move to France. In our particular situation it makes a lot of sense, but I don't fancy working over there paying all that french tax.

Has anyone got any experience of living in France & working in the UK. I guess I'd probably fly in on the Monday morning & back Thursday afternoon having squeezed in my 40 hours and even had time to update my website .

I guess this applies in part to anyone who stays away during the week and goes back home for a long weekend. What's it like, what does it cost and does it make any difference to the contracts that you go for / get?

At the mo, were thinking of somewhere near Limousin, which has flights to Stanstead, so I could pretty easily work in and around London.

Any insight / advice welcome.

Chris

[TheBigYinJames]

Originally Posted by chrislowe

Any insight / advice welcome.
Chris

When i was working at KC in Wakefield a few years ago, one of the contractors there did a weekly commute up from the North of France all the way up to Yorkshire. On an average rate too. But like me he'd negotiated a 4 day week, and I think that would be very desirable. So it's doable

[Troll]

I did once know of a contractor who had a French company but worked in the City

The French authorities left him alone because all his work was in the UK & HMG left him alone because he was a French company.

Net was Gross which is what I hope we all aspire to

All quite some time ago so things may have changed

HTH

[Manic]

Surely residency rules apply, 183 days in France = French Tax??

[expat]

Originally Posted by Troll

I did once know of a contractor who had a French company but worked in the City

The French authorities left him alone because all his work was in the UK & HMG left him alone because he was a French company.

Net was Gross which is what I hope we all aspire to

All quite some time ago so things may have changed

HTH

I should think! In general, you must pay tax on your income where it is earned; also in general, you must pay tax on all your income where you live. Happily, you can offset the tax paid in one place against the tax due in the other.

Which one you pay, and which one you pay minus credit for tax in the other, is not your choice but a matter for agreement between the taxmen. Or disagreement, if you are unlucky.

Overall, if you really live in France, you should expect to pay French rates of tax. If you own a house you'll be on file. If you want normal medical treatment you will have to be a French taxpayer. You might be able to get away with being a French taxpayer only, on temporary business in the UK. I can't see how you would do it the other way round.

[NotAllThere]

As an aside, when determining residence, France count days of arrival and departure to the 183 days, whereas the UK count number of nights in the UK.

So, if you're commuting weekly on a 5 day week, 4 days will count towards France, and 4 days to the UK. On 46 weeks a year, that 184 days in both countries. You'll be resident in both countries.

On a four day week, then it'll be 5 days France, 3 days UK. On 46 weeks a year, that's 230/138.

Oh, and don't forget that you also get to be resident if you're in the UK more than 90 days per year over a rolling 4 year period. ( Don't know if France do something similar ).

[expat]

Originally Posted by NotAllThere

...
Oh, and don't forget that you also get to be resident if you're in the UK more than 90 days per year over a rolling 4 year period. ( Don't know if France do something similar ).

If you have "economic activity" in France, or your main residence there, or spend more time there rhan any other country, you are liable to be assessed as resident.

On the first point alone, they might assess you as offering contracting services from France, even if particular work items may be performed in other countries.

You simple can not actually live in France, and not be liable to pay tax there.

[Turion]

I doubt that this plan wil result in much economic activity. The fact that he wants to move to the middle of nowhere in France, commute using Ryan Air, and then work a 5 day week in 4 days is not sustainable. Dream on.

[expat]

Originally Posted by Turion

I doubt that this plan wil result in much economic activity. The fact that he wants to move to the middle of nowhere in France, commute using Ryan Air, and then work a 5 day week in 4 days is not sustainable. Dream on.

That's all perfectly feasible. You do have to swing it: get contracts that will let you do 4 days, in places Ryanair fly from your location, and who are ready for Ryanair and however their reliability might be (I'm sure it's pretty good, Mr O'Leary).

Plus: try 4 days in office + 1 day working at home? Some will let you do that, who won't let you do 4x10 hours.
Minus: It's awfully hard to keep doing 4x10h AND a return flight in 4 days.
Plus: Try NL, where 4x9h for 36h pay is a recognised format.
Minus: Have a plan for when Ryanair dump your hick airport.

[Turion]

Originally Posted by expat

That's all perfectly feasible. You do have to swing it: get contracts that will let you do 4 days, in places Ryanair fly from your location, and who are ready for Ryanair and however their reliability might be (I'm sure it's pretty good, Mr O'Leary).

Plus: try 4 days in office + 1 day working at home? Some will let you do that, who won't let you do 4x10 hours.
Minus: It's awfully hard to keep doing 4x10h AND a return flight in 4 days.
Plus: Try NL, where 4x9h for 36h pay is a recognised format.
Minus: Have a plan for when Ryanair dump your hick airport.

With the Ryan air schedule from Limoges, his 4 day week will require 2 extra travelling days, unless his client allows him to work 'unsociable hours'. Maybe useful for one of the many shift work type contracts that are appearing due to the crunch.