Commuting to the UK from France

There are actually huge numbers of British people that commute from France to the UK – and they don’t all live in Calais! With the massive growth of low cost airlines and even the most rural areas having internet access (even if it’s not always broadband), it is really quite easy for business people to live in France and work in the UK.

Tax Implications

There are a number of benefits to this set up, not least the tax implications. Of course, you must ensure that you take professional advice for your particular circumstances, but as a guideline it is worth remembering that if you are in the UK for a significant portion of the year and your actual work is carried out in the UK, you will be able to pay your tax in the UK. Depending on your situation, this may work in your favour.

Even if you need to be tax resident in France, being able to commute to the UK can give you a commercial edge. Even if clients don’t raise an eyebrow when you say you live in France, they still certainly expect you to be able to attend meetings in the UK at the drop of a hat.

Where to Live?

When you are deciding where to live in France, what makes this option possible is that you make sure you have a number of travel possibilities at your fingertips. Don’t just rely on one local airport with nothing else nearby, because if that closes or the low cost airline that serves it decides to pull that route, you are left high and dry. Look at places that have at least two local airports within an hours drive and decent train links. Not only does it ensure your tickets back to the UK are likely to be more cost competitive, but it also means you have more options.

Although there are plenty of ferries that cross between Calais and Dover every day, making a commute from Northern France to Kent very easy on a weekly basis, the channel tunnel also means that getting from Lille into central London is very simple – and affordable. If you’re thinking of living further south, remember that certain areas of France that are well known for being popular with expats are very well served by the low cost airlines – areas of the Dordogne are now known as Dordogneshire they’re so full of British people looking for the good life!

How to Get the Best Deals

If you think that commuting from France to the UK suits your circumstances, the best way to make sure you’re not overpaying on your transport is to sign up to all the newsletters for the low cost airlines or travel companies that serve your local airports or ferry ports. Any loyalty cards or points schemes are also worth while – even if you don’t save much, you’ll at least be inform when sales or special offers are available.

Of course, commuting from France to the UK has a big impact on your carbon footprint, which is not an issue to be taken lightly, and you’ll also be spending plenty of time on the road or in the air – only you, your family and your conscience can decide on these aspects!