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information
​VersuS advice.

Information, support, and advice - what's the difference?

On this page we explain:
  • the difference between giving information and support on citizens' rights, and giving specific personal advice;
  • why we do the former but not the latter; and
  • what to look for (and look out for) when you're seeking help on your rights elsewhere.
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The issues that we cover on this website and on our Facebook page are effectively legal issues as they derive from legislation - from EU law and from France's own immigration and social security law.
​

This means that we have to be careful about the way in which we provide information, and especially in how we answer your questions, as although the France Rights team has a wealth of experience in citizens' rights in France, we are not immigration lawyers.

Our role is to explain your rights and the law from which they derive in general terms, pointing you towards information that is relevant for you and helping you to understand what it says.

What we can't do is apply that law to your specific situation or make recommendations about what course of action you should take. Only a lawyer qualified in immigration can do that.

Information and support: what we do

​Anyone who is knowledgeable about an area of law can provide information and general support. This is what we do here at France Rights.

It means that
  • we can provide information resources such as this website and our news update blog which put complicated stuff into simpler language;
  • ​we can help you understand, for example, what legal residence means and what the different categories of residence card are;
  • we can point you towards particular bits of information that fit your circumstances and help you find your way around and understand it; 
  • we can point you towards relevant parts of the legislation and help you understand what the words mean;
  • we can help you understand the procedures involved in applying for a residence card, for example, what the application process is and how to compile your dossier;
  • we can explain how applications are dealt with and decided;
  • we can give you options about different ways you could proceed, for example if your application for a residence card is refused.

Advice: what we can't do

Giving specific personal advice on ​things that derive from legislation is equivalent to practising as a lawyer, and should only be done by those with appropriate qualifications and with professional liability insurance. 

We can't give specific personal advice at France Rights, though we will give you general support and information as we describe above. 

An example of the difference

Someone asks a question in a France Rights Q&A session about whether they would qualify as legally resident as a non-economically active person with a specific (and low) income.

Someone giving you personal advice might say that based on their understanding of the law you should apply as you would qualify.

Someone giving you information and support would explain what the requirements are to be legally resident for those who are not economically active, provide you with information and links to either legislation or official French government web pages, and explain how the application process works and how the applications are decided. No 'shoulds' or 'should nots' would be involved!

​

Seeking advice

Under a constitutive system the consequences of wrong or incomplete advice can be serious - with your future rights at stake we strongly suggest that you take care if you are seeking personal advice and (especially if your circumstances are complex) that you don't rely on enthusiastic amateurs.

If you are seeking, or considering seeking, personal advice (either paid or unpaid, and whether privately, in a social media page or group, or verbally) particularly on residence issues, for your own protection we recommend that you check out whether the person or organisation giving that advice is qualified to do so and has appropriate professional liability insurance.

For complex situations you might like to contact an avocat specialising in immigration law. There are many links out there on Google - this site will give you some of them along with an idea of the costs involved: https://www.conseil-juridique.net/droit-etrangers/immigration/avocats-13-417-0-0-0.htm
France Rights provides information and promotes knowledge of citizens' rights for all British in France, and represents their interests on all matters relevant to citizens' rights. We are a founder and core member of British in Europe, the coalition of UK citizens in Europe.

We are a totally independent platform, in regular communication with, but not linked to or funded by, either the British or French governments or the European Commission. This means that we can represent your interests in a completely independent and impartial way.
It also means that as a voluntary organisation we are - like British in Europe - unfunded, except for donations from our supporters.
If you value what we do and would be willing to support our work, please click here to donate.
About us
Some of our work
Survey May 2020
Information vs advice

British in Europe
​Donate
Applying for your new CdS
The application process
​
More than 5 years with CdS perm
More than 5 years without CdS perm
Less than 5 years and employed
Less than 5 years and self employed
Less than 5 years and jobseeker
Less than 5 years and work outside France
​Less than 5 years and a student in France
​Less than 5 years and retired or inactive
Withdrawal Agreement
Residence rights and procedures
Health, pensions and social security
Working rights, professional qualifications, family reunion
What's not included in the WA
​Easy reading guide to the Guidance Note 

Other France information
Moved to France at the end of 2020
​Moving to France from January 2021
The health care system
Health care under the WA
French citizenship
​
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The information provided on this website is for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes.
We are experienced in citizens' rights but are not lawyers and do not give personal, legal or immigration advice, not can we advise on any legal matters relating to your rights.
The information in this website is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice on what action to take, please consult an avocat.
We do our best to keep all the content on this website up to date but because things may change rapidly can't guarantee that everything on this site is completely current at all times. 
​

© COPYRIGHT Kalba Meadows, France Rights 2019-20. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About us
    • Some of our work
    • Survey May 2020
    • Information vs advice
    • British in Europe
    • Donate!
  • Applying for your new CdS
    • The application process
    • More than 5 years with CdS permanent
    • More than 5 years without CdS permanent
    • Less than 5 years and employed
    • Less than 5 years and self employed
    • Less than 5 years and a jobseeker
    • Less than 5 years and work in another country
    • Less than 5 years and a student in France
    • Less than 5 years and retired or otherwise inactive
  • Withdrawal Agreement
    • Residence rights and procedures under the Withdrawal Agreement
    • Health, pensions and social security
    • Working rights, professional qualifications and family reunion
    • What's not included in the Withdrawal Agreement
    • Withdrawal Agreement FAQ
    • Easy reading guides to the Guidance Note
  • Other France info
    • Moved to France at the end of 2020
    • Moving to France from January 2021
    • The health care system >
      • Heath care under the Withdrawal Agreement
    • French citizenship
  • Donate
  • News updates