The language barrier in France
Whilst English is not widely spoken in France, it’s a language that is understood and often embraced around tourist areas throughout Paris and other cities. Instead, the majority of the population speaks fluent French as the country’s primary language. Yet, an increasing number of global professionals are now multilingual, meaning a mixture of French and English is often acceptable in the workplace.
French is a language that follows different grammar and rules to English, which makes it harder to learn fluently. Often, locals will be very responsive to British expats who communicate using basic phrases in their everyday life and this is advisable for those living abroad in France.
French culture
One of the major adjustments for British expats living in France will be the role of culture, both in the workplace and beyond it. French customs and values will vary greatly throughout the country, but its national spirit is associated with progress and equality.
Weather & climate
Each region of France enjoys a different climate. The West, along the Atlantic seaboard, receives an oceanic climate, characterised by frequent rain and moderate and mild temperatures. In the East, however, France has a continental climate, known for seasonal weather, including hot summers and cold winters. The South is Mediterranean, which receives tropical weather patterns, yet thunderstorms are frequent.
British Embassy in France
| Address: | 35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré Paris Cedex 08 75383 Paris France |
| Phone: | (+33) 1 44 5 51 31 00 |
| Website: | https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-paris |
| Office hours: | 24/7 |
Emergency services contact information in France
| Emergency Service | Contact Number |
| Police Service | 17 |
| Fire Service | 18 |
| Ambulance Service | 15 |
Healthcare for British expats in France
For British expats leaving the UK to study, work or live in France, you must have health insurance. Whilst state healthcare in France is not free like the UK, you can receive cover through “co-payments”, which is funding for healthcare through joint contributions. In this model, the state and patient jointly contribute.
In many scenarios, expats may have to pay for medical treatment upfront initially, before being refunded for some of the cost. You will need a French National Insurance Card, or Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM).
If you’re a British expat living or working in France, you can access local healthcare in one of the following ways:
- Make the appropriate social insurance contributions through your employer.
- After meeting eligibility criteria as defined by the UK Government, certain British residents living in France can register a S1 Form with the CPAM office.
- If it’s a temporary visit, expats can use either of the following cards for healthcare access:
o European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), if not expired
o UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Expats can access healthcare for temporary stays through EHIC/GHIC if they’re travelling abroad, but not residency.
Residential status
If you’re a British expat with basic residential status or have lived in the country for at least three months, then you can apply for health coverage under the French health system, called Protection Universelle Maladie or “PUMa”.
Once registry of PUMa is completed, you’ll receive temporary access to healthcare. This is followed up with a confirmation of access to French healthcare and an insurance number – this documentation is called attestation de droits à l’assurance maladie. With this official documentation, you can apply for a healthcare card or carte vitale.
Driving in France
While French road systems can seem similar to the UK, there are some differences in the legal side of it. Brexit has changed many of these dynamics. One key consideration for expats, for example, is whether their insurance and breakdown cover includes European travel to countries like France. It’s imperative that foreign expats expecting to use the roads both legally and safely in France carry valid insurance.
As well as insurance, anyone driving a UK car cannot show the European flag on their numberplate in European countries now. In France, you must either display a number plate with a UK identifier or attach a UK sticker to your car – UK identifiers have replaced GB identifiers, which are no longer valid anywhere in Europe. You can also get fined for not having the correct breakdown gear, including a breakdown triangle and high-vis jacket — both of which are legally required.
France has one of the densest roadways and public transport systems in all of Europe. With high-speed, interconnected railways between major cities, and urban tram systems, expats can enjoy travel with the ease of a sophisticated public transport. Yet many expats choose to travel by car. The autoroutes, or highways, are somewhat relaxed and connect most major destinations, including lesser run routes into southern locations like Nice or Cannes. Many of the major routes are also toll (peage) roads.
Getting your driving licence in France
EU citizens can easily enjoy using major highways in France as many national driving licences are recognised and legally valid. Those who are not EU citizens, however, will need to carry special documents, including UK expats.
Following Brexit, expats and UK residents travelling into France were required to present a valid Green Card (or International Motor Insurance Card), however from August 2021 it is no longer required, although insurance documentation is still mandatory.
UK drivers with photocard licences generally don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for France, however if you currently carry a paper driving licence or one issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, then you may require one. This is a multi-lingual representation of your driving licence, which can be used in countries both within the EU and beyond its borders. You may need an IDP even if you rent a car and especially if you cross any borders during your visit to Europe. An IDP can be obtained from any Post Office.
You should consider always driving with the proper documentation, including:
- The logbook or V5C for your vehicle.
- Legal motor insurance
- A “UK” identifier on the number plate, such as a flag.
French car insurance terminology explained
Understanding how insurance works in France can help expats navigate local rules, driving requirements and everyday situations with confidence. Here are some of the key terms you’re likely to come across:
- Assurance au tiers (Third-party insurance): The minimum legal requirement in France. It covers damage or injury caused to others, but not your own vehicle.
- Tous risques (Fully comprehensive insurance): The highest level of cover, including third-party liability as well as protection for your own vehicle even when you’re at fault.
- Franchise (Excess): The amount you pay toward a claim. A higher franchise usually reduces your premium, while a lower one increases it.
- Bonus-malus (No-claims bonus system): France uses a points-based system that rewards claim-free driving with discounts (bonus) and increases premiums after at-fault claims (malus). This is similar to the UK no-claims bonus but calculated differently.
- Bris de glace (Glass cover): Specific cover for windscreens, windows, mirrors and glass panels. Often included in mid-tier policies (tiers+), but not always standard.
- Constat amiable (Accident report form): A standardised European accident statement used to record details after a collision. Insurers expect both drivers to complete and sign it at the scene.
Legal Requirements
From scenic valleys to sundown beaches, France is a common destination for driving holidays. Visitors must be 18 years or older to hold a legal licence and travel to France in a car. Those who ride mopeds or motorcycles (up to 125cc) must be aged 16 or over.
Many key cities such as Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse and Grenoble have low emission zones, which prohibits diesel and petrol cars from accessing the roads during certain hours in the week (usually between 8am and 8pm).
Likewise, drivers will need to display a Crit’Air sticker, or clean air window badge, which helps to identify low emission vehicles, where those without one can face costly penalties of between €68–€135. This is because certain parts of France are restricted zones, designed to improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.
Expat car insurance in France
Relocating to France is an exciting new chapter, but it also comes with important practical considerations – especially when it involves your vehicle. Whether you’re taking your UK-registered car with you or purchasing a new one locally, every vehicle in France must have valid motor insurance. The minimum legal requirement is third-party liability cover (assurance au tiers), which protects other road users in the event of an accident.
For British expats, understanding how the French car insurance system works can feel unfamiliar at first. Policy terminology, documentation requirements, and administrative processes differ from the UK, and insurers often assess risk using different criteria. Many expats also need to understand how long they can keep a UK-registered vehicle on the road, when French insurance becomes compulsory, and whether their existing UK policy provides any temporary cover in France.
Because of these differences, many UK nationals find it helpful to work with insurers who regularly support drivers moving abroad and who understand expat needs – especially when it comes to no-claims bonus transfers, insuring UK vehicles temporarily and meeting French legal obligations. At Keith Michaels, our specialist team has supported UK drivers with expat vehicle insurance for France for more than a decade, helping them stay insured and compliant as they settle into life overseas.
Specialist expat car insurance cover
We insure UK expats all around the world. So, no matter which country you’ll be living in, we can offer you an extremely competitive quote on your car insurance. If you have any questions regarding expat car insurance get in touch with the experts at Keith Michaels.
or call us on 0208 329 1150
Keeping a UK car while living abroad
Some expats choose to keep a UK-based vehicle — for use during return visits, or for storage in the UK while living overseas. In these cases, your car must still be insured, as an uninsured or SORN-declared vehicle is vulnerable to fire, theft, or other damage. At Keith Michaels, we regularly insure vehicles for clients living abroad, even when other insurers can’t.
To insure a UK-registered car from overseas, you’ll generally need a UK address. If you no longer have one, our team can discuss alternative arrangements and advise on the best approach. No matter where you’re moving – Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia or beyond – Keith Michaels can keep your UK vehicle insured year-round, so it’s ready to drive the moment you return.
Expat car insurance and driving in France FAQs
Do I still need a Green Card to drive in France as a UK expat?
No. Since 2 August 2021, UK drivers no longer need a Green Card to drive in France, although you must carry valid motor insurance documents that prove that you are insured to drive in the country.
Are breathalyser kits still mandatory in France?
No. Although once required, breathalyser kits are no longer legally mandatory for motorists in France. It’s still sometimes recommended, but you cannot be fined for not carrying one.
Do I need headlamp converters on my UK car in France?
This depends on your vehicle. For many modern cars equipped with adaptive headlights or a “continental mode”, converters may not be required. Older vehicles without these settings usually do need headlamp beam converters to avoid dazzling other drivers.
What type of car insurance do expats need when living in France?
French law requires all vehicles to have at least third party liability insurance (known as assurance au tiers). Expats bringing a UK car into France should note that French insurers often won’t provide long term cover on foreign registered vehicles, and new residents are typically required to re-register UK vehicles within 30 days of settling. Expats may need either a French car insurance policy or specialist expat insurance depending on their circumstances.
Can I transfer my UK no claims bonus (NCB) to France?
In many cases, yes. Many French insurers will accept a UK NCB if you provide official proof of your claim-free years. However, it won’t always translate exactly into the French bonus–malus system, and some insurers may refuse foreign NCBs altogether – which is why expats use specialist brokers like Keith Michaels for peace of mind.
How long can I drive a UK-registered car in France before insuring it locally?
If you become a resident, you generally need to reregister a UK vehicle within 30 days and move to local insurance once registration is complete. For short visits, UK insurance is usually fine if your policy includes European cover, but long-term residents cannot rely on UK insurance indefinitely.
Do expats pay more for car insurance in France?
Sometimes. Premiums can be higher if you have no French driving history, your UK NCB isn’t recognised, or the car is newly imported. Costs usually become more competitive once you have time in the French bonus–malus system or provide accepted proof of your UK NCB.