The pound has continued its positive run versus the euro and we are currently trading at the highest level for two months – 1.18 interbank (IB).

The main driver for the pound of late has been talk of a softer Brexit which has offered some much needed support for sterling. Britain's Autumn Statement on the budget was also read as more supportive of growth and upbeat than some had expected. Downward growth revisions were seen to be far less severe than the market had been expecting, keeping sterling on the front foot.

If tomorrow's all important GDP data beats expectations we could see the pound test the 1.20 IB resistance level which has not been breached since July 2016.

To find out how we can help you protect against or take advantage of these volatile markets, get in touch with your account manager.

Thursday 24th November at 17:20

£1.00 GBP = 1.1803 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2450 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6801 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7777 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6794 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 17.6196 ZAR

Just imagine if YOU could forecast the exchange rate?

No one can do that of course but being well informed is a start and knowing the events coming up that may influence the GBP/EURO exchange rate may help you with your planning.

The latest quarterly currency market forecasts from the international money transfer experts, FC Exchange, are now available. The reports are essential reading for anyone buying or selling a property, in fact anyone making international money transfers.

The currency markets have always fluctuated, but this year has seen unprecedented levels of volatility. The currency forecasts review the factors that have contributed to the uncertainty we have seen this year and look ahead to the issues that could affect currency markets in the next quarter, moving into 2017.

Grab your Free Report here... 

Do you want more information ?

So if you need to buy or sell sterling and would like to be kept up to date with all the latest data releases and exchange rate movements then feel free to contact myself Ben Amrany. If you are buying or selling a house in France we will make sure your monies are in the right place at the right time, we work hand in hand with you and Cle France.

For more information on the currency service I can provide please feel free to contact myself...

Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

On November 20, primaries were held for the French political party Les Républicains (previously known as L’Union pour un mouvement populaire). France does not have a two-party system (although two parties, Les Républicains and Les Socialistes typically hold the power in government) and many different parties can present candidates for the presidential election in April. Because these parties can only present one candidate, they hold primaries to select who will represent their parties in the general election.

Like with the general election itself, if no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, there is a run-off with the top two candidates. The run-off election will be held on November 27 (elections are always held on Sundays in France).

Ex-PM Francois Fillon Leads French Conservative Presidential Primary

The results of the primary for Les Républicains were surprising. In a primary that pitted two former prime ministers against a former president, former president Nicolas Sarkozy did not receive enough of the votes to be selected by the party. He had previously been thought to be a strong candidate. The other two candidates–both former prime ministers–Alain Juppé and François Fillon came in second and first, respectively. Juppé had long been viewed as the frontrunner and his loss to Fillon by nearly 15 percentage points was surprising. Because Fillon received 44 percent of the vote, and was later endorsed by Sarkozy during his concession speech, many people believe that he will win the run-off election on November 27th and be a likely candidate for president.

The Socialist party primaries will be held on January 22, 2017. Three candidates are running for their party: incumbent president François Holland, prime minister Manuel Valls, and Arnaud Montebourg. Recent polling suggests that Socialist party voters are deeply divided between Valls and Holland. However, it is widely believed that the Socialist candidate will not win the general election because of current president Hollande’s deep unpopularity in France right now (in September, his approval rating hovered at 15 percent).

It is also widely believed that the other candidate likely to make it to a second round of voting in the general election is Marine Le Pen of the Front National party. The Front National is a nationalist party widely known for its opposition to immigration. The party has gained in popularity due to the refugee crisis and recent terrorist attacks in France, as have other nationalist, far-right parties in Europe.

Have you been following the recent primary in France?

Who do you think will stand as candidates in the general election in April?

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

With the £ Pound recovering this week after a big dip and the political landscape starting to calm down a little, it offers some more stability to peoples plans to find a new life abroad. We find that everybody's reasons to move to another country are so varied that we are surprised most days, and it is true that this week we have seen a rise in viewing request from our American friends! seems like France is a popular choice for those not looking for the cold Canadian climate!

Closer to home we thought we would bring together some frequently asked questions and answer them for you, some of the information below has come from our friends over at 'The France Show' which is due to take place at London Olympia from 27-29 January 2017, we recommend a visit to this the biggest 'all things French' show in the UK, if nothing else it is a great day out but also you can pick up French food products and even a property if you are feeling flush on the day!

How has Brexit affected property buyers?

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has understandably caused concern and uncertainty among British buyers considering a property purchase in France. Yet while the exact implications of the result are still unclear at this stage, British buyers will continue to be able to buy in France and property experts have expressed confidence in the continued growth of the French property market.

Will I still be able to buy property in France?

Brits visited and bought property in France long before the UK was part of the EU, and will still be able to do so.

Buyers from non-EU countries including the USA, Australia and Chine consistently invest in French property without problems. The existing process of buying a property in France is the same for French, EU and non-EU residents.

Furthermore, British buyers are an important element of the French property market, accounting for 34% of sales in 2015, and it is unlikely that France will want to damage this by making it too difficult for Brits to buy property.

Will I still be able to get a French mortgage?

British borrowers are the largest single overseas nationality who borrow from the French retail banks so it is unlikely that French banks will introduce tougher criteria for Brits who want a French mortgage. French mortgage rates are currently at historic lows and some Brits who were cash buyers are now taking out a French mortgage as a way of mitigating the effects of volatile exchange rates.

Make a no-obligation mortgage enquiry here

Will I still be able to live in France?

As EU citizens Brits can currently live and work anywhere within the EU without having to apply for permission and this will continue until the UK officially leaves the EU. It seems unlikely that this freedom of movement will continue after the UK has left the EU but there are a large number of French people living in the UK so it seems likely that a bilateral agreement between France and the UK will be reached.

Sterling rallies on uncertainty in Europe and the USA

After weeks of turmoil, sterling has emerged as the main benefactor of uncertainty in Europe and more recently the USA, following a clear swing from the popular ruling establishment.

Risk averse markets have pushed sterling up against most major currencies.

Saturday 12th November at 10:30 £1.00 GBP = 1.16 EURO

For more information on the currency service we can provide please feel free to contact Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

'The France Show'

Taken in part from 'The France Show' the UK’s biggest celebration of France returns to Olympia, London in January.

The France Show is back for 2017, so whether you’re looking for some travel tips, thinking of buying property in France, hoping to brush up your language skills or want to try regional food and wines, pick up some recipe inspiration or just have a great French day out, you’ll find it all at The France Show at London Olympia from 27-29 January!

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

At Francophile Legal Consulting, we have been helping non-residents claiming back the French social charges they have paid in relation to the rental income or capital gain they have received from their French property.

Regardless of where you are residing and as long as you are not registered with the French health care system, you will be able to recover the social charges you have paid between 2013 and 2016.

In brief:

Starting in 2012, the non-residents had to pay social charges (15.5%) in addition to the capital gain or income they received from their French property. In 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled that this new tax regime imposed on non-residents was against EU Law.

Following this case law (case C-623-13-Mr De Ruyter), the non-residents could claim a refund of social charges they have paid. However, the French government took measures to make the tax regime on non-residents compliant with EU rules, making it impossible to claim back the social charges paid after the 1st January 2016.

Under French law, any tax claim must be issued by 31st December of the second year following the year in which the tax was paid.

So non-residents who have paid social charges on their rental income perceived in 2013 or capital gain in 2014 have until 31st December 2016 to submit a claim to get their refund. For those who have paid social charges on their rental income perceived in 2014 or capital gain in 2015 have until the 31st December 2017 to issue a claim.

Your claim must be issued to the French Tax Office for non-residents accompanied by the necessary supportive documents. The claim must include legal argumentation. We have seen many enquiries from people who unsuccessfully claimed the social charges by themselves due to lack of justifications or supportive documents.

That is why we strongly recommend to use our services in order to ensure your claim will be successful. So far, we have experienced a 100% success rate. See our latest testimonial. Once we have gathered the necessary information and documents from you, we will draft and issue your claim in France. The whole process can be long. In some cases, we have seen clients being refunded within 6-12 months in other cases longer.

We will advise you and update you throughout the process.

So don’t forget to claim a refund of French social charges! Our firm can assist you in claiming back the social charges you have paid.

Please contact us if you would like more information on this or would like to pursue such a claim.

This article was written by Loic Raboteau, French Legal Advisor and director of French Legal Consulting.

Francophile legal Consulting can assist you with international property matters. For more information on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact Loic Raboteau, managing director by completing the form below. 

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A little more about FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd.

The company was created in response to the need of legal experts for international private clients and businesses. People are no longer confined within their own country boundaries to work, create a business or purchase assets. National, international laws and new technology have enabled people and businesses to move and expand internationally, creating a demand to resolve cross-border issues.

We are a London-based legal consultancy company dedicated to addressing our clients’ international needs. Whether you are a private individual moving or investing in a foreign country, an entrepreneur, or a business willing to expand internationally, FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd will cater your specific requirements and will look after your interests in the short and long term.

Benefiting from an extensive network of international lawyers, solicitors, accountants and financial advisors based in London and in several jurisdictions, FRANCOphile Legal Consulting Ltd is able to handle your interests in different countries around the world.

Our approach and solutions are tailored to our clients’ needs. We believe that our clients are unique and warrant distinctive service.

Our international coverage includes France, London, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Mauritius. If you would like to know more about us then fill out the contact form above and we will be right back to you.

Wednesday 9th November at 08:30 - £1.00 GBP = 1.1172 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2418 USD

Another shock for financial markets to absorb as Trump defeats Clinton. It appears the Senate and House of Representatives are both Republican, offering more power to the celebrity President should he manage to unite the party.

Global markets rocked as Trump wins the US election.  US Dollar loses ground across the board as traders become risk averse, causing a sell-off of Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar and South African rand. While markets rush to safe-havens such as Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and Gold.

GBP/USD up by 0.25%

EUR/USD up by 1.00%

GBP/EUR down by 0.75%

With large swings in markets already happening, it is important you find out how this could affect you, contact Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

Do you want more information ?

So if you need to buy or sell sterling and would like to be kept up to date with all the latest data releases and exchange rate movements then feel free to contact myself Ben Amrany. If you are buying or selling a house in France we will make sure your monies are in the right place at the right time, we work hand in hand with you and Cle France.

For more information on the currency service I can provide please feel free to contact myself...

Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk