The Internet has made it much easier to work from home or at a distance from the traditional office. In theory many jobs can be done from a desk in own your house in the South of France just as efficiently as from a desk in an office building in London or Seattle.
Personally, I think there is a lot lost from the human interaction, coffee machine talk and after work drink – many creative and innovative ideas have come from the sparks and energy generated from casual chat and informal meetings – as well perhaps the third glass of beer. Perhaps a mixture of home working and group enterprise is a way forward and a better use of resources.
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Hi – great service you provide – love it.
After working for a UK company for 12 years in UK, they have allowed me to continue to work for them from the 1 Jan 2007 partly in the UK and partly in France using the computer and their intranet.
I have continued paying tax and national insurance for this year and then was told that I could get a working E106 so I applied. I have been turned down and told that I have to come out of the UK system and join the French Social Security system.
I wouldn’t mind this but I feel that my company will. Does anyone know what the implications for a UK based company are (if any). I do not want maternity, sick, unemployment or a pension from the French so do I need to join – I am happy to pay 100% private medical cover. Can I just take out private medical insurance and not pay social security?
Is it true that I cannot remain in the UK system?
Please help if you or any of your readers can advice.
Thanks.
Carole
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Hello Carole,
If your principal residence is in France (if your main home and you live there more than 183 days a year, or longer than in any other single place, even if you regularly commute to the UK) then you must come under the French social security system, if you are working for a UK company then they are responsible and must make arrangements to pay your social charges in France. You will receive and social benefit, pensions etc, there is no option or opt-out to this.
The implications and liabilities for the UK company are, I believe, higher than they are in the UK, If you are an employee than the terms of employment and employee protection would be those of France, not the UK.
If you live in France and have any employment for any amount of money you must be correctly registered and pay social charges. If you are self employed or a contractor you must register at the local Chambre des Commerces or Chambre des Metiers (or both) – for some professions you must register at the Palais de Justice (the local court).
You will also need to take out a separate health insurance for the part not covered by the French system and top-up your health cover.
Hope this helps
best wishes
Tony