Moving to live in France is the dream of many people – making a living in France is a nightmare for some.
Our new president elect promises to make it possible to run a business and employ people, to get rid of the 35 hour week, eliminate union strangleholds, remove wealth tax and find the holy grail. I await the coming of these miracles, but I ain’t holding my breath – but it should happen.
Buying a home is easy, straightforward and secure. prices are still reasonable and, in some areas, property investment is a sound proposal.
Starting a business or working for yourself is complicated, expensive and fraught with hurdles and pitfalls. There are some resources to help you over the hurdles, but you need a very experienced guide to show you where the pitfalls are.
In Sunday’s blog I mention the electrical engineering business we are being asked to market and that we are looking at setting up a brokerage for business opportunities. This block of property, shops, apartments and the established business in the busy town of Roujon, 11 kilometers from Pezenas, is on offer for just over one million euro.
At first sight the investment is giving a return of just over 5 percent – but this does not factor in the business already turning over 400,000 euro a year. It is well established, with a large client list and loyal customers, the figures are not currently showing much of a profit, but the owner is making a very good living from this and with some new ideas (Anglo Saxon initiative) and the “new dawn” promised by Sarko – someone could have a great home and a living in France.
If you are thinking of coming to France and also looking for a livelihood, contact me through this blog, or email me
Could a retired US real estate attorney find work in France as a Notaire or with a Notaire? If it would be possible, but highly unlikely, that a French Notaire would hire such an individual, let me know.
Thanks.
John
How about my idea of running a small cattery? Do you think this would be fraught with problems on a business level?
A Notaire is a trained and licensed legal representative of the Government – I have never heard of a Notaire who was not French and do not know of any employing non-French staff, although I assume this is possible.
In France very few qualifications from any other country are accepted, so it would mean starting over again.
Some advice may be available from the official website
Notaires.fr
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Setting up any business in France you first need to register with the “Chambers des Commerces” and get a Social security and you trading reference number – it is illegal to start trading or charge for any service without this.
A small cattery will also need local permissions and, I expect, a license.
Once these formalities are set in place and you are paying social charges and fees – you can start trading.
I cannot advise on the marketing potential for a cattery in France.