Reader questions
We do our best to answer our members’ questions so if you have queries about anything to do with France email us at news@thelocal.fr.
Reader question: What should I do if I have never declared my foreign bank accounts in France?
A very common mistake for foreigners in France at tax time is failing to declare their foreign bank accounts - so how do you go about putting this right?
Do I need to declare my foreign bank accounts to French taxman?
One thing that often catches foreigners in France unaware is the tax declaration requirements for bank accounts in their home countries.
Reader Question: Do I have to declare my online bank accounts on French tax forms?
If you have non-French bank accounts you will need to declare them on your declaration at tax time - but what about internet bank accounts? Here is what you need to know.
Reader question: What's the French version of Craigslist?
If you're looking for a buy-and-sell website your first thought might be Craiglist - but France has its own version of this site that has everything from apartments and second-hand furniture to clothes and shoes.
Can you get married in France if you don't live here?
France has a booming wedding industry and many of its beautiful and historic châteaux - including more than a few owned by foreigners - hire themselves out as the perfect romantic wedding venue. But what's the legal position on getting married in France as a non-resident?
How do I convert income into euros for my French tax declaration?
If you're a foreigner in France, you may be declaring income from another country - here's how to do your currency conversions.
Reader question: Why does secular France have so many Catholic holidays?
You might not have thought about it too much as you enjoyed an extra day off work, but it is perhaps unexpected that France - proudly secular since 1905 - has so many public holidays based around Catholic festivals.
Where can I find professional help with the French tax declaration?
There are lots of people advertising their services to help with the annual French tax declaration but you need to make sure that anyone you hire has the right qualifications - here is how to check.
'Poisson d'avril': Why do the French get fishy on April 1st?
We can explain this. But you might think we’re joking…
'It seems very unfair': Key questions answered on French citizenship changes
France's rules on citizenship have undergone several big changes in the last year - so we held a live Q&A to answer the key questions from members of The Local. Here's a roundup of the main topics.
Reader Question: Is it compulsory to vaccinate children in France?
How strictly does France enforce its vaccination requirements for children?
Members Q&A on France's new citizenship rules
The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson was live online on Friday to answer member's questions on the new rules around French citizenship. You can read her answers in the comments section on this article.
Can I vote in the second round of the French local elections if I didn't vote in the first?
After the first round of voting in French local elections, several cities are on a knife edge - meaning that every vote counts in round two. But can you vote in the second round if you didn't vote in the first?
What happens if you overstay your 90-day limit in France?
If you're visiting France from a non-EU country your time here is limited, unless you have a visa - but what happens to people who overstay and how strictly are the rules enforced?
Reader question: Can you leave France if you are on chômage?
The rules for those in receipt of unemployment benefits - chômage - have recently been tightened up, including around leaving the country.
Why do the French eat so much seafood at Christmas?
If you've spent time in France over Christmas one thing you're likely to have noticed is the amount of fish and seafood that is around, so what are the roots of this festive tradition?
Reader question: What is the situation on dual citizenship in France?
Foreigners living in France may be considering applying for French citizenship - but what does that mean for your original citizenship?
Reader question: Is it illegal to smack or spank children in France?
French parents have a reputation for being strict with their children, but physical punishments like smacking or spanking are covered by the legal code.
Reader question: How is the French language test scored?
If you're one of many foreigners in France faced with taking a French language test in order to secure residency or citizenship, it might be helpful to know how the test is marked and what examiners are looking for.
Do I need an ETA visa for my French spouse or children?
European travellers to the UK now require an electronic ETA visa waiver, with the UK government warning that they will start barring entry to those who don't have the required waiver. UK nationals are exempt, but what about their French partners, spouses or children?
What are the laws in France on vehicle dashcams and cycle helmet cameras?
Many road users rely on video cameras to record anything that happens on the road – but use of the devices fall into something of a legal grey area in France
Reader question: How does France have 12 different time zones?
Unlikely but true, France does indeed have 12 different time zones. But there is no need to change your watch if you're travelling from Paris to Toulouse.
Reader question: Are pensioners exempt from France's new language test rules?
The Local has received clarification from the interior ministry on one of the most common questions readers have asked about France's new language rules - whether retirees are exempt from the requirement for French tests. The short answer? It depends.