Practical, sourced notes for people whose lives and assets span more than one country. General information under French law, not a legal consultation.
How the US-France tax treaty taxes Americans in France: salary, dividends, Social Security, 401(k) and IRA, the sale of a US home, and what to settle before you move.
France's IFI wealth tax applies only to real estate above €1.3 million. Who pays, the 5-year rule for new arrivals, non-residents, SCIs and mortgages.
Leaving France with shares worth over €800,000? Who pays the French exit tax, how deferral works in the EU, UK, US and Switzerland, and when the tax is cancelled.
French gift tax allowances in 2026: €100,000 per parent and child, the €31,865 cash gift, the temporary €100,000 for a new home, donation-partage, and gifts across borders.
How a French assurance-vie is taxed on death: €152,500 per beneficiary before 70, the after-70 rule, beneficiaries and policyholders abroad, and the beneficiary clause.
When France taxes an inheritance, the allowances and rates, the 6-out-of-10-years rule for heirs in France, the US-France treaty, forced heirship and choosing your own law.
What an attestation d'hébergement is, the template, the documents the préfecture asks for, how it differs from the attestation d'accueil, and what the host takes on.
Married to a French citizen? Who can claim French citizenship by declaration after 4 or 5 years, the new B2 French requirement, the €255 stamp duty, the steps, the timeline and what to do if refused.
Your French residence permit expires before the préfecture decides? Who is entitled to the attestation de prolongation d'instruction, how long it lasts, work, travel, and what to do if it does not appear.
Since 2026, non-EU nationals must pass a civic exam before their first multi-year card, 10-year resident card or naturalisation. Who is exempt, what the test looks like, the French level and what happens if you fail.
Moving from a French student card to a work permit: employee card, talent card or EU Blue Card, the 2026 salary thresholds, when to file, the job-search card and the mistakes that lead to refusal.
Préfecture not answering, no appointment, ANEF stuck for months? Find your situation and what can be done: deadlines, your rights while you wait, and how to make the préfecture act.
From 30 October 2026, préfectures must decide on residence card applications within 90 days, not 4 months. What else decree 2026-1001 changes: changing employer, Blue Card, ICT.
France's closest equivalent to an extraordinary ability visa: the talent card for established renown, with any professional activity allowed. Who qualifies and where files go wrong.
The French talent card for musicians, actors, writers and other creators: about €1,307 a month, the 51% rule, family rights and where artists' files go wrong.
The French talent card for doctors, dentists, midwives and pharmacists trained outside the EU: who qualifies, the pay threshold, family rights and where files go wrong.
The talent (famille) card: how the spouse and children of any French talent card holder get their own permit, skip family reunification, and work from day one.
The French Tech Visa for Founders: a talent card for innovative start-up founders, with no degree and no minimum investment, once the project is recognised as innovative.
The French talent card for executives sent by a group to run its French entity: 3 months in the group, legal representative in France, pay of 3 times the SMIC.
The EU Blue Card in France: €59,373 minimum salary, degree or 5 years' experience, up to 4 years from day one, family included and a route to EU long-term residence.
France has no golden visa for property. The talent card for investors: €300,000 in a French business, jobs created or kept, and a residence permit of up to 4 years.
The French talent card for qualified employees: the €39,582 salary threshold, the three routes (French graduate, innovative company, intra-group), and what the card allows.
The French talent card for company founders: who qualifies, the €30,000 and income conditions, the Ministry's attestation, and the steps from first application to the 10-year card.
The Passeport Talent is now the French talent card. A short map of every category, from qualified employees to founders, investors and artists, with links to each guide.
Five years of what, exactly? What article 21-17 counts, the ANEF attestation trap, and the 18-month time limit for a decision.
France taxes homes, yachts, cars and wine held in holding companies at 20% a year. Who is caught, how it is calculated, and what to review before year-end.
France's impatriate tax regime: who qualifies, the 30% salary exemption, foreign investment income, how long it lasts and how to claim past years.
Married to a French citizen and living outside France? The declaration by marriage may still be open to you. The 4 or 5 year rule, article 23 and the B2 requirement since 2026.
Your accountant sees €24,000 of turnover. The préfecture may see €15,840. Why that gap can decide whether an entrepreneur / profession libérale card is renewed.
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