Category: Uncategorized

Frenchwoman Lise and her Polish girlfriend Agnieszka have been together for three years. They were looking forward to getting married after France this year became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage, following months of bitter debate.

"We were also really happy because it meant that we were accepted by the society," Agnieszka said. "Then our relationship can be recognised, and we are not freaks or…"

"Different," Lise added.

THE FIVE French overseas departments – all of which have tropical climates – were included in the calculation of France's average winter temperature which was then used to determine whether British expatriates should continue to receive the winter fuel allowance, Connexion has found.

The Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were all included. Meteo France data is only available for the first three online but shows an average winter temperature of 26C.

The islands' temperatures were used with those of mainland France to gain an average which was then compared with 5.6C for the south-west of England. If the resulting figure was higher – as was the case with France – the country was deemed "too hot" and the payments will be stopped.

Updated May 2023

I have always had a nagging feeling that although many currency exchange services say ‘fee free’ you know deep down that a fee is wrapped up in the actual exchange rate and there is no way of working out what you are being charged.

Such charges are easy to disguise in exchange rates and so you are left with the sense that you have paid for something without being exactly sure what you are getting.

Clarity on fees and charges

A little bit of transparency would really appeal where a company was actually upfront with the fee being charged and the actual rate for swapping euros for sterling, dollars or other currencies.

Well, whilst taking a break browsing online I saw that an old work colleague was now employed with CurrencyFair and so I took a look over their website.

It is as you would expect a currency exchange service that was created by people who like me were a little annoyed at seeing their money eaten up by fees they had little control over.

So right up front, CurrencyFair says that for transfers from sterling to euros then you will pay a fee of £3, but having checked some rates you will also receive a competitive currency exchange price.

FIVE Key Points About CurrencyFair

1. Easy to use – Send and receive money to and from 150+ countries in 20+ currencies

2. Fast, reliable transfers – Get same-day transfers on most major currencies

3. Trusted & secure – Licensed and regulated

4. Money exchange – Rates up to 8x cheaper than banks

5. Transparent – Flat-fee of just £3 (or currency equivalent)

A quick currency exchange test

So as a quick example here is what I found for transferring £1,000 to euros in May in the mid-afternoon.

For my £1,000 I would receive €1,126 from CurrencyFair, while HSBC who I’ve used in the past would provide me with €1,082.

That is a difference of €44 when compared to HSBC, and could add up to a sizeable amount over a year or two of regular transfers.

Of course you are going to have to go through the registration process if you decide to use CurrencyFair, which in these days of tightened online security requires you to submit a copy of your passport and two proofs of address for checks to be carried out.

Financial regulation system

The company is incorporated in Ireland (No. 469391) and is fully regulated as an Authorised Payment Institution by the Central Bank of Ireland (No.C57373) under the European Communities (Payment Services) Regulations 2009.

Another feature within CurrencyFair is that they offer a peer-to-peer currency exchange service, that allows individuals with differing currencies to swap their money at favourable rates.

Bank details are not exchanged between each person, that is handled via CurrencyFair itself, but if you are willing to wait a short time for an advantageous rate of exchange again you could benefit.

But if you want to just transfer money as you have in the past, be it savings, a pension or some business payments then you would set up an account and undertake a currency exchange as normal.

CurrencyFair offers a clear, easy to understand service at a very good price.

FIVE Key Points About CurrencyFair

1. Easy to use – Send and receive money to and from 150+ countries in 20+ currencies

2. Fast, reliable transfers – Get same-day transfers on most major currencies

3. Trusted & secure – Licensed and regulated

4. Money exchange – Rates up to 8x cheaper than banks

5. Transparent – Flat-fee of just £3 (or currency equivalent)

Disclaimer: If you do go on to use CurrencyFair they will provide a commission that will help keep This French Life up and running which has proven helpful to many readers, including possibly you.

FRENCH president Francois Hollande has ruled out exploration for shale gas during his term in office,

Speaking during the Bastille Day interview he said: “As long as I am president, there will be no exploration for shale gas in France.”

Many believe tapping France’s potentially large shale gas reserves could revive the ailing French economy, although opposition is strong amongst the general public.

Tax officials in France have clarified that British expats should not be paying income tax in France or make social contributions on their UK rental incomes or state pensions.

The two countries have a double-tax agreement which prevents the same income being taxed twice – firstly in the country it is paid and then when it is received in France.

via www.telegraph.co.uk

The circus continues to roll into various towns in Britain at this time of year, but increasingly it does so without the lions and tigers which were once synonymous with it. In some parts of Europe however, the days of performing animals are not over.

via www.bbc.co.uk

New legislation on the "non-commercial transport" of pets, already informally agreed with EU ministers, was approved by Parliament on Thursday. Taking pets abroad will be easier, but pet health requirements will be stricter. Online information for pet owners will also be made clearer.

Before taking their pets across borders, owners should check that their anti-rabies vaccinations are still valid. Young animals between 12 and 16 weeks that have been vaccinated against rabies – but have yet to achieve immunity – should still be allowed to travel.

"There are 64 million cats and 66 million dogs in the EU. One household in four has a pet. In future, travelling across borders with pets will involve far less administrative hassle. We have eased the rules, and this should have a direct impact on citizens" said rapporteur Horst Schnellhardt (EPP, DE) after his resolution was adopted by 592 votes to 7 with 4 abstentions. The legislation will be applicable 18 months after it is published in the EU Official Journal.

via www.europarl.europa.eu

The phone rings and there’s a voice on the line telling you they’re aware you’re having computer problems, but not to worry – they’re with Microsoft, and they’re here to help. It’s a complete lie, and the opening gambit of an all-too-successful scam.

via conversation.which.co.uk

I HAVE had to pass on tips and warnings to a number of people here in France about these so-called tech support calls from Microsoft.

Consumer association Which? offers a detailed look at the scam and what to look out for so that you can put the telephone down on these thieves.

A recent scam is one that asks for your Carte Vitale information via SMS message to your mobile phone, often you are redirected to a copycat website that will ask for log-in details and bank account numbers.

France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law following months of bitter political debate.

Hollande acted a day after the Constitutional Council threw out a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition, which had been the last obstacle to passing the bill into law. The legislation also legalises gay adoption.

via www.france24.com

A 91-year old British man who has fought a campaign for long-term expats to be able to vote in British general elections has lost a ruling at the European Court of Human Rights.

via www.bbc.co.uk