Credible Life / British Expats in France
The UK rules for people abroad changed four times in two years. Our free guide explains what each change means if you live in France, in plain English, with the figures.
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What has changed
If you set up your pensions or your will before 2024, some of the assumptions behind them may no longer hold.
Moving a UK pension to an EEA overseas scheme now usually triggers a 25% Overseas Transfer Charge, unless you live in the same country as the scheme.
Domicile no longer decides UK inheritance tax. If you were UK resident for 10 of the last 20 tax years, your worldwide estate can stay in scope for up to 10 years after you leave.
People abroad can no longer pay the cheaper Class 2 contributions, and you now need 10 years of past UK residence or contributions to pay voluntarily at all.
Unused pension funds and most death benefits will count towards your estate for UK inheritance tax. Now is the time to review nominations and drawdown plans.
Free calculators
Rough estimates to show where you stand. Your adviser will check the exact figures for you.
Check your record on GOV.UK ("Check your State Pension forecast") and enter the numbers below.
Enter yearly amounts before tax.
For an estate passing to children, if UK inheritance tax still applies to you.
What we help with
Your State Pension is paid into a French or UK account and rises each year, because France is covered by the UK–EU social security rules. We check your forecast and when to claim through the International Pension Centre.
"Will my State Pension be frozen if I move?"
Filling gaps in your record can still add a lot to your State Pension for a modest cost. We confirm whether you qualify under the new 10-year rule and help with the application (form CF83 or online).
"Is it worth paying voluntary contributions from France?"
Under the UK–France tax treaty, most UK pensions are taxed in France, not the UK. Government service pensions are the exception. We sort out your NT code with HMRC so tax is not taken twice, and plan how the 25% lump sum is treated in France.
"Is my tax-free lump sum tax-free in France?"
From April 2027 your pension can face UK inheritance tax, and French succession rules may apply too. We review nominations, drawdown order and gifting, and look at whether an assurance vie fits.
"How much will my children actually receive?"
We compare keeping your UK pension, consolidating into an international SIPP, or transferring, with the 25% transfer charge, currency risk and French tax all counted.
"Should I move my pension out of the UK?"
Returning after years in France needs planning: when to take lump sums, leaving French tax residence cleanly, and the UK's 4-year arrival relief for people who have been away 10 years or more.
"What should I do before I move home?"
How it works
Get the figures and rules for your situation first, with no call needed.
Video or phone with an adviser who works with British clients in France. You leave knowing your options.
If you want us to act, we quote a fixed fee in writing before any work. We take no commission on products.
Your adviser
"Most of the people I speak to in France did the right thing when they moved. The rules have changed since, and a short review is usually enough to put that right."
[Adviser name], [qualification]
FAQ
If you are tax resident in France, UK private, workplace and State Pensions are normally taxed in France under the UK–France double tax treaty. UK government service pensions (for example civil service and armed forces) stay taxable in the UK only, though France still counts them when setting your rate.
To stop HMRC taking UK tax from a private pension, you apply for an NT (no tax) code using the France–Individual treaty form.
Not straight away. Since 6 April 2025, UK inheritance tax depends on residence, not domicile. If you were UK resident for at least 10 of the previous 20 tax years, your worldwide estate stays within UK IHT for between 3 and 10 years after you leave, depending on how long you lived in the UK.
For most people living in France, usually not. Since 30 October 2024, transfers to QROPS in the EEA face the 25% Overseas Transfer Charge, unless you live in the same country as the scheme. Keeping the pension in the UK, or moving it to an international SIPP, is often cheaper. We compare the options with the charge, fees and French tax included.
Yes. France is covered by the UK–EU social security arrangements, so your State Pension is uprated every April, the same as in the UK.
Often yes, but the rules tightened on 6 April 2026. People abroad can now only pay Class 3 contributions, and you need at least 10 years of past UK residence or contributions to qualify. Each extra qualifying year can still add around 1/35th of the full State Pension, so it is worth checking.
The guide and the 30-minute review are free. If you go ahead, we agree a fixed fee in writing before we start. We take no commission on any product.
Check where you stand before April 2027. Start with the free guide and book a review when you are ready.
Important information. Credible Life is [authorised and regulated by … , reference …]. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise. Tax rules can change and their effect depends on your circumstances. This page is general information, not personal advice. Rules described are correct as at 29 September 2026.