How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in France?
With so many people moving to France to retire, a study by the Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES), has calculated the amount needed to have a “decent” lifestyle.
An article in the Connexion highlighted that the amount is €1,634 net per month for a person living alone, according to the state-funded but independent research body in France. The amount does not include mortgage payments or rent, but the figure is considered enough to cover the essentials such as food, transport, medical care, and other daily necessities, and have a social life.
For French citizens, the government last week suspended the change to the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 made in 2023, as part of budget discussions that have caused political turmoil with five prime ministers in two years. France has the largest budget deficit in the euro zone.
For the time being, the minimum retirement age will remain 62 years and nine months.
Exit-Entry System Delayed for Car Passengers
Plans to expand the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) to car passengers travelling from the Port of Dover in the United Kingdom have been paused until 2026.
As we advised , the digital border system that records the movements of non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area, was launched in October and currently affects truck drivers and coach or foot passengers. In a statement, the Port of Dover said that they are waiting for final approval from their French counterparts to include car passengers.
The statement said that EES has made positive progress, with nearly 13,000 traveler profiles created during the initial rollout for coaches, freight and foot passengers – more than 30% of all registrations made by French seaports since the system began.
EES rules are being phased in across all French border points, with full enforcement due by April 10, 2026. Until that time, authorities can switch off biometric data capture to help ease congestion during the transition.
Happy Thanksgiving
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