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Officially known as the French Republic, France is one of the well known countries in Europe. It ranks among the popular tourist destinations in the world and is known for its scenic beauty, vibrant atmosphere and rich culture. France is the largest country in the European Union. The country is home to numerous tourist spots such as Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, and Mont-Saint-Michel and so on. Paris, the capital of France is one of the cultural and fashion hubs in the world.
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For most American retirees, France is the foremost country that comes to mind when retiring abroad due to its great quality of life, varied range of offerings and modern-day comforts. This beautiful country is not only the most romantic place on Earth, but also a retirement haven for baby boomers.
Although France does not provide a special incentive visa for retirees, yet retiring in France involves a quite simple process. All you have to do is apply for a long-term visa at the nearest French consulate in the US, following which you would get a carte de séjour visiteur.
The most romantic place for retirement in France is of course Paris -- a city that one should at least visit and preferably reside in for some time, at least once in his life. However, since Paris is the most expensive place to retire in France, you may want to opt for the French countryside, where real estate, rents and the cost of living are very much affordable.
Retirees certainly can appreciate France's lower tax rate for "pensioners" -- a retired couple can have a joint income of up to approximately $102,000 USD and pay about 14% in taxes. That may be better than what could be expected in the U.S.
If you spend longer in France than in any other tax jurisdiction during one year's time, you are automatically considered a resident for tax purposes.
A recent study by the World Health Organization revealed that the overall health-care system in France is the best in the world, so expatriates need not worry about medical services in the country. But it is recommended that American retirees should buy private medical insurance when they relocate to France. Generally, France's public health system covers 70% of medical expenses, so you will want to opt for a supplement that will provide benefits for the remaining 30% that is not covered.
Housing cost is considerably high in France, with the average property prices going up as high as around $275,000 USD, and this trend of a boom in property prices is continuing.
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