Q & AMoving/Living/WorkingSelf-Employment in France

Question:

I am a freelance writer/editor/layout artist who is building up a client base so that I will be independently employed, and thus free to spend time in France long-term, perhaps a year, hopefully in about 3 years. All my work is accomplished via phone and computer; my clients will be in the U.S. no matter where I am working, at least until my French improves greatly. We would have a very small amount of income from rental property in the U.S. as well. Would I need a work permit to be self-employed in France, and would there be any reason I could not obtain a long-term visa? My ultimate goal is to file stories on French topics to the American press. Would it be wiser to have my clients' payments deposited into an American bank and then transferred to a French bank account? Or directly into a French one?
My husband is a self-employed handyman/gardener, the kind of work that he is always able to find through word of mouth, helping elderly folks or un-handy people do projects they are unable to handle themselves. Would he be able to obtain a work permit for such humble employment, and if not, how serious is it to work "under the table" for cash when the opportunity arises?
We (my husband and I and our young son) are looking to live in a town (not too industrial please) of no more than 25,000 people, with good train access, in the center of the country, within striking distance of Paris, not too close to rainy west coast. If you have any suggestions of places we might consider we'd be grateful. Thank you.
Thank you for your wonderful site.

Answer:

You shouldn't have any problem receiving a long-term visa for France. There will be a minimum income/money in the bank requirement. Sorry I don't know exactly what the amount is. To be self employed you will not need a work visa that is unless the laws have changed or I'm misunderstanding things. The only place you are going to be able to get concrete answers to your question about French visas is at the French consulate.
About transferring into a French or American bank, that really depends on bank transfer charges and exchange rates. I've found it better to have money transferred directly to my French bank account. Mostly just because I like having my money where I can spend it if need be. Then on the other hand we are still leaving a great deal of our dollars in the states until/if the dollar goes up in value. When we moved to France we made the mistake of not transferring all of our money into our French bank, as the dollar had more value than the euro at the time.
Your husband should have no problem finding work under the table, not sure if will be enough to live on. A lot of people work under the table in France. As for the work permit like you, he should be able to be legally self-employed but he will not, I believe be able to lawfully work for someone else. Again check with your French consulate to be sure.
I live in Burgundy (Dijon) and like it. It's about an hour and a half from Paris by train and almost in the center of France. Burgundy is very nice to live in and has great food, wine and quality of life.

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