Can I move to France but still work for UK firm?

If I relocate from the UK but continue to be paid in British pounds in the UK by the firm I work for (I am a homeworker so can be based anywhere), what do I need to do?

These issues are complicated, partly due to the application of VAT laws.

While you may be paid by a foreign company, you will physically be working in France and, depending on the work sector, the products of that work may be liable to French VAT, especially if there is any provision of services to people in France or sale of goods.

Furthermore, the foreign firm that is paying you is required to pay French social charges on your behalf and to take instalments of tax-at-source off your salary.

It is also meant to comply with other French work rules such as offering you a subsidised health top-up policy and arranging for payments to be made into a complementary pension.

It is often easiest to avoid working in France for a foreign company and being paid by that foreign company since it can cause complications for the firm.

The exception is if your employer has a French company to which you can be seconded as the rules relating to secondments are different.

The simplest solution may be to see if you could work as a freelance contractor but this would usually entail working for other people or companies as well to avoid you being still considered as an employee of your contracting company.

This is an area you would need to discuss with your employer as it affects them as well as you. You should also take specialised advice.

Nonetheless, if you are going to live and work in France while under the direct employment of a UK-based firm, the firm will have to undertake additional formalities, including registering for a Siret number.

More information can be obtained from foreigncompanies.urssaf.eu/index.php/en and at tinyurl.com/cleiss-for-fir.

A French accountant used to working with foreign companies could also advise.