I’m an expat in France with a UK pension so where do I pay tax?

When it comes to paying tax, for UK expats in France, it can sometimes seem like a complicated process with rules for this and that. We answer some of the most common questions that UK expats ask when it comes to tax in France with help from Jennie Poate at Ark Capital, a company of Independent Financial Advisers specialising in wealth preservation and management, tax, financial and succession planning for private clients and their families, throughout Europe.

Question: I moved to France last year. I have a teacher’s pension and state pension which are taxed in the UK. Does that mean I don’t have to complete a tax form in France?

Answer: You have an obligation to complete a tax form in France now that you are resident here. For the current tax payment year you need only complete for the portion since the date you arrived. The tax forms aren’t available until April/May of each year and then the response from the tax office is due by August of each year.

You must list all of your income on the tax return and the Double Taxation Treaty between the UK and France will dictate whether it is taxable or not. In this case the UK state pension is taxable in France. Your teachers’ pension remains taxable in the UK.

The teacher’s pension must be listed on your French tax form, but you will receive a credit for tax already assumed to have been paid.

You will currently receive a tax allowance in France as well as a tax allowance in the UK.

During the time that you transfer to France and set up the administrative processes. There may be a period where your state pension continues to be taxed in the UK and this can be reclaimed using a specific form https://www.gov.uk

The downside is you can’t have this form certified until you have a tax reference number known as a ‘numero fiscal’ issued by the French tax office. Completion of the p85 form to confirm to HMRC that you have left the UK isn’t enough to get the changes made.

If you’d like to find out more or have questions about how to maximise your investments, contact Jennie Poate at: jennie@ark-wm.com to find out more and arrange a consultation.

The information contained herein is provided for general guidance and informational purposes only, based on our understanding as of the date of publication. It does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice, nor should it be relied upon as a basis for making financial decisions. Ark Capital accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on the content of this document. Where necessary, professional advice should always be sought.

Ark Capital is licensed to provide financial investment advisory services under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) and holds a CIF licence, reflecting our commitment to delivering transparent, personalised investment solutions. We are also authorised under the COA to offer insurance and reinsurance services designed to protect our clients’ wealth. Registered in France under licence number 22000690, Ark Capital operates in full compliance with European regulatory standards.

Ark Capital is a cross-border wealth management firm dedicated to empowering expatriates and international clients with expert financial strategies. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Rouen, we combine French heritage with global reach to deliver personalised advice in investments, pensions, insurance, real estate, and tax planning. With a strong regulatory foundation and a client-first approach, we offer comprehensive services including wealth management, retirement planning, life and medical insurance, and tax-efficient solutions backed by digital tools and multi-jurisdictional expertise.