British ex-pats in France face being hammered for their pensions in devastating new order

British expats living in France are being clobbered with devastating four-figure tax bills on their public sector pensions, despite longstanding laws that should shield them from such charges.

Since 2010, public sector pensions have been protected from French income and social taxes under the UK-France Double Taxation Convention.

But a string of retired public sector workers, including former teachers and police officers, claim they have been ordered to cough up thousands of euros for social security for the first time, according to the Connexion, a French publication. The news comes as locals reject Macron's plans to work 2 more days to boost economy.

British retirees receiving a state pension can apply to the NHS for an S1 form, which entitles them to state healthcare in France, paid for by the British government.

Early retirees - who have not yet reached the British state pension age - do not qualify for an S1. However, public sector pensions have historically been exempt from French taxes, under the Double Taxation Convention.

In several cases this year, the French government has slapped social charges on British expats' public sector pensions for the first time. Authorities cited the fact that individuals did not have S1s as the reason for the brutal charge.

Andy Pickwick, a former police officer who retired to the south of France in 2020, told the Connexion he and his wife, a retired teaching assistant, had challenged the charges, but were overruled by the French tax office.

He said: "The tax office said we have to pay because we do not have an S1. I said we don't need it because they are government pensions, under the Double Taxation Convention's Article 19. They think we're not paying for health cover anywhere."

Mr Pickwick, 60, has set up a Facebook group for affected expats, in which dozens of retired British expats claim to have been hit with social security charges for the first time.

Writing in the group in August, Mr Pickwick said an accountant had advised him that, because he had now paid a General Social Contribution, he would not qualify for an S1 once he reached retirement age.

He said: "My accountant's only advice was to take out private health cover. I'm seriously considering selling our house and going back."

The French tax office reportedly told Mr Pickwick his government pension was classed as a pre-retirement benefit, which would put it outside the scope of double taxation rules.

A number of other expats describe encountering similar charges after their S1s expired. Mark Taylor, also a retired police officer, said he suffered "quite a hit" when he was ordered to pay €3,500 (£3,020) in 2023.

Mr Taylor successfully appealed the charges, but added that "it appears that people in other departments have not had their appeals upheld".