Services
General
Preparation
Accommodation Search & Orientation
French Documentation/Banks/Schools
French Healthcare
French Insurance
Re-registering Your Car
The Follow-on Move
General
There are a range of services available, from searching for accommodation to a comprehensive package where you will be taken through your transition to France step by step. The following headings cover the move to France, setting up all the relevant accounts, utilities and, if applicable, the arrangement of a follow on move. You will be given help and guidance and, where required, accompanied to the various offices, companies and agencies that you will need to visit. As no two people have the same set of circumstances, an agreement will be reached where you choose the service or services that meet your needs. This will be determined by a thorough consultation where, between us, we build a detailed profile of you, your needs and your wishes.
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Preparation
You will be given guidance on what you require for the move depending on your circumstances. A timetable of events will be worked out with you to ensure that you do things in the right order and have the correct documentation and facilities in place (bank accounts etc) to make for a smoother transition to France. You can save valuable time by having the correct documentation either before the move or following you up shortly after. It is not uncommon for a family to get to France, apply for a Numéro de Sécurité Sociale ( Social Security number) entitling them to work and State medical cover, and find that they should have brought certain documentation from the UK. The frustration and time wasted by having to apply in retrospect can be avoided with the correct preparation.
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Accommodation Search And Orientation
For those who want to rent a property long term, a choice of rented accommodation will be sought and offered to you. Being in the area enables us to find the most appropriate houses or apartments, sifting out the properties that may not quite fit their description. All too often, your time is wasted by someone taking you to view a two bedroom flat, swearing blind it fits the four bedroom farmhouse description you gave them. Charentes Relocation is independent and, therefore, unbiased when it comes to choosing the best accommodation for its clients. Each property will have been seen and scrutinised by us before you are taken to view it, so as to ensure your time is used well and you get what you expect. A programme of viewings and relevant administration will be arranged so you can choose a property and begin establishing yourself in France. We will
accompany you throughout the viewings so that we can get instant feedback, allowing us to fine tune as we go. If you fly over for the viewings you can choose to be picked up from the airport, taken to and from all your appointments and dropped back at the airport on completion of your stay. If you drive, we will arrange a time and place to meet you so that you know exactly what you are doing and where you are going from the moment you arrive. Once you have chosen your property you will be guided through the tenancy agreement and the move in. The sooner you orientate yourself to your chosen area, the sooner you will settle in. You will be shown, and receive a pack containing, the locations of the local public buildings, shops and social places of interest. Peace of mind can be had in knowing where to find a doctor, dentist or hospital. If you are a member of a society or club, and would like to carry on your sport, hobby or interest in France, we can search for and supply information on the French equivalent in your area.
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French Documentation / Banks / Schools
Any documentation required to move to and establish yourself in France can be prepared before the move or arranged for you upon your arrival. Whether you wish to open a bank account, enrol your children in the local schools or register with the local doctor, we can take you through the process.
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French Healthcare
Guidance is available on the documentation required to register with the social security system thus entitling you to receive the same health care benefits as a French National. In France, the State will pay for the majority of healthcare if you have registered with the Social Security system. For example, the State will pay for 70% of a 22€ visit to your GP. The rest of the cost is met by you, unless you have top-up, or complementary, medical cover, which takes care of the remainder. There are various types of complementary insurance depending on your requirements, so, if you are not sure how to go about finding the right one, help will be at hand.
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French Insurance
You will need insurance for a number of things from the car to the house and its contents. Again, you will need specific paperwork to set up each policy. To avoid going back and forth, hoping each time that you have the right paperwork with you, Charentes Relocation will take you through what you need. You will be given
quotes from at least three insurance companies to help you decide which policy to choose.
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Re-registering Your Car
If you want to keep your car, you will need to re-register it under the French system with new number plates and documentation. You will be required to provide specific documents and put your car through the French equivalent of an M.O.T. You can be taken through this process so as to ensure a relatively painless experience.
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The Follow-on Move
The move from your rented property to your new home can be arranged if you so require. From organising the removals company to terminating the tenancy contract and closing down your existing accounts from the rented property, the follow-on move will be arranged according to your requirements.
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