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UK in France

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Living in France

The British Embassy and British Consulates in France have put together a list of FAQs to help British nationals with living and working in France. It may also be useful for British nationals visiting France. Whilst every care has been taken in preparing this information, neither Her Majesty’s Government nor the British Embassy and Consulates-General in France can accept any liability for the information contained in them.

If we have not covered the particular information topic you are looking for, you might want to check some of the useful links on this page.

Definition of a British national

For the purpose of the EU, "UK nationals" are defined as:

1. British citizens;
   
2. Persons who are British subjects by virtue of Part IV of the British Nationality Act 1981, who have the right of abode in the United Kingdom and are therefore exempt from UK immigration control;
   
3. British Dependent Territories citizens who acquire their citizenship from a connection with Gibraltar.

Commonwealth citizens with the right of abode in the UK are not "UK nationals" for EU (or any other) purposes.

Channel Islanders or Manx citizens do not benefit from Community provisions relating to the free movement of persons and services unless they, or a parent, or a grand parent were born, adopted, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom or they have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for five years.

Register with us

We have set up a new improved online registration service called LOCATE for British nationals travelling or living abroad to register themselves with the FCO.

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Specialised publications for Britons in France

Connect Continental - The New Northern and Western European Consular Newsletter
Anglo Info France
Paris Insider Guide
Fusac - Resources and Contacts for Paris
Connexion - France's English-language newspaper

Useful links

• French Embassy in London
• French Service Public (in English)
• French Legislation
• Council for the English-Speaking Community, Paris
• Britishinfrance website