How many brits live in france

The foreign population is more concentrated than the population as a whole, but with location rationales differing from one nationality to another. In this respect, they differ from the Belgians and Germans who prefer the more urbanised border areas Figure 2. British residents are especially concentrated in a vast area that stretches from Haute-Vienne to Gers, encompassing Charente and Dordogne. There are also greater numbers of Britons in Brittany and south-west Normandy, areas that are closer to the English coasts, or even in some areas of Savoie and Haute-Savoie.

These regional preferences can also be seen among British owners of second homes in France. Purchasing a second home may be the precursor to some of these people settling in France permanently Box 2. This presence of the British community in France is the result of migratory movements that began at the end of the 20th century. In , there were 65, Britons living in France. The phenomenon grew and spread geographically, especially between and During that period, the number of British people rose by 5.

The new arrivals tended to head to the more sparsely populated areas Figure 4. This period coincided with a sharp rise in property prices in the UK, making access to property more difficult. Other British households saw an opportunity to sell their property in the UK at a high price and acquire both a home and a better quality of life abroad.

Developments in low-cost air transport helped this movement. Regular flights between France and the UK tripled between and The Channel tunnel also entered into operation at the beginning of this period. However, at the end of the s, this movement began to slow. This may partly explain why fewer Britons came to live in France. Over the more recent period from to , their number dropped by 1. At the same time, fewer British people acquired French nationality. The British residents in France have quite varied profiles, with characteristics specific to their place of residence.

These areas can be broken down into five distinct groups. In , there were 53, Britons living in France, the majority of whom reside outside of large agglomerations, preferring the most sparsely populated areas in the western half of the country Figure 5. There are 32, Britons in the least populated living areas group A , 16 times more than in These areas are situated in central France Creuse, Haute-Vienne, south part of Vienne, south part of Indre, north part of Charente, Dordogne , central Brittany or the south of Normandy Figure 5 , where property remain relatively affordable.

During the s, low-cost air routes were opened, departing from small regional airports such as those of Limoges or Bergerac. This increased the attractiveness of these areas for households on lower incomes than those that made up the first waves of British migrants. It also made it possible to expand flight routes to more areas of the UK. Therefore, for around 20 years, more and more Britons have been settling in these areas, among the most sparsely populated in France.

The presence of British nationals contributes to the life of these sparsely populated areas 11, inhabitants on average and often helps to support businesses and build up pupil numbers in the communes where these families live.

In this same west part of France, 35, Britons live in more populated living areas group B , with on average 30, inhabitants Figure 5. Among the retired Britons, who make up the largest proportion of this group, one in two were managers or in mid-level professions whereas this proportion is only one in four among the retired population residing in these living areas as a whole.

In addition, families with children are a little more common here. In , 55, Britons living in France were in employment, making their number a little higher than that of retirees. Is now a good time to buy a property in France? Brexit: will I be still be able to buy a property in France? This is why we love living in France all year round. Living in France. French property for sale.

French holiday homes. Published: AM October 6, Updated: PM November 12, Most Read. French citizens in UK. The APS will include long-term migrants and some short-term migrants although it is unlikely to include short-term migrants living in the UK for very short periods of time. Short-term migrants to and from England and Wales.

Those that migrate between 1 to 12 months for all reasons. Visitors to and from UK. Visitor estimates, ONS. Visits abroad.