British passengers urged to check crucial passport detail ahead of holidays
The Independent travel correspondent Simon Calder has urged holidaymakers to ensure their passports are in date.
He explained: 'In the UK, passports can be issued for more than 10 years, but unfortunately if you are trying to get into the European Union, you can not get in after your passport is 10 years old.
'Your passport must have not passed its 10th birthday and must have three.months remaining before you intend to leave the EU.'
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘I used to feel defined by my salary – moving to France changed that'
In 2001, Andy Turner and his wife Jenny decided to buy a campervan and go travelling around Europe. 'It felt like an itch we needed to scratch. We did 24,000 kilometres and about 20 countries – through the Alps, down to southern Spain, and back up through the Pyrenees.' But it was when they visited a friend in France who was renovating an old property there that the idea of staying on the Continent took hold. 'Little by little, we came to love France. And by the end of the trip we thought, why don't we sell the campervan and use the money to buy somewhere?' says Turner. The six-month sabbatical from work turned into a new life for the couple. They bought a place near Beziers in the South West, in a small village of about 2,500 people, with schools and a hospital nearby and the coast a 40-minute drive away. Andy would split his time between France and their home in Wimbledon, London, for work as a marketing consultant, while Jenny, who had just found out she was pregnant, would stop working for a few years. Now, 20 years later, Andy, 62, has retired to the house in France and spends all of his time there, while Jenny is commuting back to London part-time to her job in financial services. Their children Camille, 20, and Etienne, 17, are both in education. 'I've always had a sense of adventure, but never envisaged myself retiring overseas. My life constantly surprises me,' says Turner. Brexit has hit expats Now Andy is retired, a typical day involves walking his Cocker Spaniel, Obi, and spending time outdoors. He has joined an association that restores dry stone walls and buildings in the local area, and enjoys riding his motorcycle. According to the International Living annual Global Retirement Index report, France is the fifth best place to retire in the world. It is rated for its food, arts and scenery, as well as its healthcare system and affordable property prices. On an overall cost of living index, France and the UK rank similarly, at 63.5 and 63.9 respectively, according to the online database Numbeo. It said the cost of eating out, public transport and utilities are cheaper in France, but groceries are cheaper in the UK. Property prices vary significantly between regions, but it estimates that a non-city centre apartment would cost about £3,247 per square metre, compared to £3,674 in the UK. Andy will receive his full state pension in a few years, having filled in the gaps in his National Insurance contributions. He hasn't yet accessed his private pension savings. 'We're lucky that we have savings and are debt-free, and Jenny is now paying into a company pension,' he says. In France, British expats still get their state pension uprated each year under the triple lock, which guarantees that the payment rises by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5pc. There are an estimated 150,000 British expats living in France, according to the wealth management company Chase Buchanan. But moving there has become harder since Brexit – you now need a long-stay visa or residence permit to live in the country. This may involve proving your income meets a minimum requirement, based on the French minimum wage – about €1,400 (£1,214) a month after tax – and providing documentation such as your passport and medical insurance, plus details of where you will live. Andy says the family applied for a residence permit based on the UK's Brexit withdrawal agreement: 'It was a lot of work, but we now have a 10-year permit, and have decided to apply for nationality to protect ourselves from any future changes.' Normally you will be deemed a tax resident if you have either lived in France for at least 182 consecutive days or have registered for a residency permit. This means you will be taxed in France on your worldwide income and must submit a tax return. You may also have to submit a UK tax return if some of your income comes from there, but a double tax treaty between the two countries means you should not be taxed twice on the same income. Paying tax in France Income tax works very differently in France, and is levied on household rather than individual income. The family is divided into parts, and their total income split between the parts. The income tax rate you pay depends on this figure. The number of parts is based on the make-up of the household. For example, a married couple would have two parts, and an additional half part for each of the first two children. Income between €11,498 and €29,315is taxed at 11pc, rising to 30pc on income above this threshold and up to €83,823. The top rate of 45pc is paid on earnings above €180,294. There is also an additional high income tax for earnings above €250,000 and €500,000. Similar to our National Insurance contributions, you will also pay a second tax on income known as social charges. 'This is an aggressive tax, but you do get what you pay for in terms of the benefits,' says James Rayburn, from the international financial advice firm Wealth Genesis. 'For example, it is one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world and unemployment rights are very strong.' Bear in mind that France also has an inheritance tax, the rate of which depends on the beneficiary. Spouses, for example, inherit tax-free, while children get a €100,000 tax-free allowance and are then taxed from 5pc to 45pc. Non-relatives have an allowance of just €1,594 and are then taxed at 60pc. Income from investments, such as dividends and capital gains, are taxed at a flat rate of 30pc. Expats should get an S1 form which can reduce this tax rate and exempt them from social charges.' 'The S1 form makes a huge difference to the tax you will pay,' says Rayburn. 'This is important because there are no super-efficient ways to invest in France – there is no equivalent to an Isa or Venture Capital Trusts.' The Assurance Vie is a commonly used option for expats as a tax-efficient way of saving, says Rayburn. This is technically a type of life insurance contract, which can offer inheritance tax benefits, but also allows you to invest in a range of investments, including funds and exchange-traded funds, in a tax-efficient way. An international self-invested personal pension can also be a good choice for those who want to access their retirement savings while living abroad. These let you draw down flexibly on your funds, with the ability to withdraw the cash in different countries and currencies. To avoid being double-taxed or charged emergency tax, be sure to get a nil-rate (NT) code from HM Revenue & Customs, which lets the tax office know that you are no longer resident in the UK. 'Live like a local' Moving to a country where English is not the first language may present a problem for many British expats. 'It's important to learn the language. It's not easy but you have to make the effort,' says Andy. 'If you just socialise with people from your own country, that feels limiting to you as an individual and disrespectful to the people you're living around.' As well as learning French, he says that having children also made it easier to integrate. The biggest downside of living overseas is not being able to see family and friends often. 'You need to consider the extra travel costs if you are visiting several times a year,' says Andy. 'But it does make the time you spend together extra special.' Meanwhile, costs have gone up since Brexit, he says, and travelling back to England can take longer, with more delays at the border. 'We used to easily buy from British companies, but lots of companies won't ship to Europe now, and if they do, you pay an import tax.' But for the most part, he is happy with life in France. 'The best thing about living here is the climate. It has such a huge impact on your life and sense of wellbeing when there are 300 days of sunshine a year,' says Andy. 'In the UK, it feels like you're defined by what job you do, how much money you earn, how big your house is. This has shown me there is another way, and maybe we should all try it.' For anyone considering making the move, he suggests renting a home through different seasons to test the waters first. 'It's all very well going somewhere on holiday, but the place that is vibrant in the summer could be cold and isolated in the winter,' he says. 'Make a list of the things that are important to you, like having schools or the beach within walking distance, and then go and live like a local.'
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
US President Donald Trump calls First Minister John Swinney a 'special guy' as he opens golf course in Aberdeenshire
Why you can trust Sky News Donald Trump described Scotland's first minister as a "special guy" as he officially opened his new golf course in Aberdeenshire. The US president asked the SNP leader to stand up during the ceremony at Trump International Golf Links, saying: "John Swinney is a terrific guy - and loves golf and loves the people of this country, and we really appreciate it. "You're really a very special guy. Thank you very much for everything, John." Mr Trump's private visit to Scotland is coming to an end, with the president due to fly back on Air Force One to Washington DC later on Tuesday. His holiday has included a trip to Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire and meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and Mr Swinney. The first minister later said the president showed a "willingness" to move on the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky. Mr Swinney said: "I think there is an opportunity for us to make progress. "I wouldn't have expected to be able to get an outcome in the course of the discussion I had yesterday and this morning with President Trump, but we will follow this up with the US administration, follow up with the United Kingdom government, to make the progress that I think Scotland would expect on this matter." 2:20 Protests have taken place in opposition against Mr Trump's visit, but the president appears to have been mostly left in peace to enjoy several rounds of golf. Mr Trump arrived to the sound of bagpipes and was joined by sons Eric and Donald Jnr as he cut the red ribbon in front of special guests in celebration of the New Course opening. The president praised Eric's hard work in the development of the project in Menie, adding: "We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. "The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them." Mr Trump said he was looking forward to playing the course ahead of his return to the US. He said: "We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world. We did one yesterday - you know, we stopped a war. We've stopped about five wars. "That's much more important than playing golf. As much as I like it, it's much more important." Mr Trump also referred to late James Bond star Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort. The president said: "This has been an unbelievable development. The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. "And Sean Connery said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. Once he said that everything came into line. John and I were talking about that last night." Construction of the New Course began in 2023, with Trump International Scotland branding the two courses as the "greatest 36 holes in golf". Critics have argued the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Mr Trump said: "It's going to be a special day, and it's going to be a special year, and it's going to be a special decade. "And we're going to make all of our countries strong and great and really wonderful again - and that's happening and it's happening very fast. "And we love Scotland. You know, my mother was born here, and she loved it. "She would come back here religiously once a year during the summers with my sister Maryanne and sometimes my sister Elizabeth." The president said his family would visit Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned to unplug one household device before going on holiday
With August expected to be the busiest month for Brits travelling abroad, UK households are being urged to take action to protect their properties before they go away With August set to be the peak month for Britons heading overseas, UK households are being warned to take steps to safeguard their properties. Before departing on holiday, specialists at MoneySuperMarket are recommending people follow seven straightforward measures to ensure their home receives optimal protection. With one in five UK homes now facing flood risk and the peak number of break-ins in England and Wales taking place between July and September last year, there are particular basic yet essential precautions you can take to avoid this. This can be done by disconnecting electrical devices to fastening bins and taking away magnifying mirrors. These simple measures will help keep your property secure and provide reassurance whilst you're absent, reports the Manchester Evening News. "If you return home to find your home burgled or damaged by flooding, it's important to report the incident to your insurance provider as soon as possible," advised Kara Gammell, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket. "To help prevent an insurance claim from being denied, make sure your contents insurance is up to date, reflecting the value of your belongings. It's also advisable to avoid leaving spare keys in obvious places, like under the doormat and ensure you have working smoke alarms throughout your home." Seven steps to follow before going on holiday Disconnect extension leads "Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of house fires in the UK, especially when you're away on holiday. Daisy-chaining extension leads, ageing wiring, or leaving appliances on standby can all pose serious risks," Kara warned. "Before you lock up, take a few minutes to unplug anything non-essential and make sure that extension leads aren't overloaded, and are turned off where possible." Keep your calendar out of sight Kara explained: "Leaving a calendar with your holiday dates on display near a window could make your home an easy target - a thief only needs to take a quick photo and zoom in to know exactly when your house will be empty. In general, it's best to keep your calendar out of sight to prevent opportunistic thieves from taking advantage." Don't leave electronics on charge and check batteries "Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, such as e-bikes, vaping devices, power banks and smart watches. If left charging unattended, particularly with cheap chargers bought online, they can overheat and cause fires," Kara said. "Electronics that use lithium-ion batteries should always be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and flammable materials. Do not leave electronics to charge when you are away and always look out for warning signs of a failing battery - which includes bulging or swelling and being hot to the touch." The expert continued: "Never throw devices with lithium-ion batteries in the bin or your standard recycling bins. If crushed or damaged, these batteries can ignite and cause dangerous fires. Instead, you can safely dispose of your batteries and rechargeable electronics at local household waste recycling centres." Magnifying mirrors "Fires caused by sunlight reflecting off everyday items like magnifying mirrors, glass ornaments or mirrored trays are more common than you might think - especially in summer," Kara noted. "When left near windows, these objects can concentrate sunlight and ignite curtains, furniture or even carpets. Before heading off on holiday, do a quick sweep to move anything reflective out of direct sunlight. It only takes a minute, but could prevent devastating damage," she continued. Be flood aware Homeowners whose properties have previously flooded pay twice as much for insurance compared to those that have never been flooded, according to new analysis from MoneySuperMarket. "There's a common misconception that you're only at risk from floods if you live beside the water, when in fact, a quarter of flooding occurs in areas that are formally designated as being outside of flood risk zones," Kara pointed out. "Ensure your home insurance covers flood damage, that you have your policy details readily available and register for free flood warnings from the Met Office or your local council to receive alerts about potential flooding – when you're at home or on holiday." Guard against leaks She warned: "Escape of water is the most common home insurance claim cause in the UK - and it's not just about burst pipes during a cold snap." "Don't ignore slow leaks from toilets, washing machines or taps; what seems like a small issue now can quickly turn into a full-blown insurance claim later. If you're heading off on holiday, it's worth turning off your water at the stopcock to reduce the risk entirely." Tidy up clutter Kara continued: "Rats can gnaw through almost anything, and there's nothing they love more than an empty, quiet house. If you've left food scraps in bins or crumbs under the sofa, or in your car - they'll move in fast and can do a surprising amount of damage." "To protect your property, clear away clutter, trim overgrown plants, seal up gaps or holes, and keep bins tightly shut and clean to avoid attracting rodents." As explained by Waste Managed, bins should get deep cleaned at least once a month to eliminate any odours and visible dirt that can attract pests seeking food to enter your home. Especially when going abroad for more than just a couple of days, it's recommended to empty the bins and wipe them.
