Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions when buying a motorhome in France, primarily for non-residents but applicable to all.
The société civile
Does the setup fee include the reception of official mail in France? Is this what the 60€ is for?
Yes, the domicile company fee is 60€ for the registered address and mail handling. The first year is included in the setup fee. The carte grise will be mailed to you physically and all other documents provided by email scan.
Are there any tax implications in future years following the creation and registration of the société civile?
No, our accountant makes various statements and declarations at registration so no yearly tax returns are required. The société civile does not generate any revenue and is not registered for any commercial activity.
Can we have 2 owners or shareholders for this new société civile (which would be my wife and I)?
Yes, in fact, the minimum number of shareholders is 2 for this legal structure. Either one or both can be administrative "managers."
Could the société civile allow us to purchase some real estate in France (a condo for example) in the future?
No, this requires a different registration process. The société civile we create is for a motorhome only — it also cannot be used to purchase standard vans or cars.
Motorhome Purchase Service
Where should I start looking for our motorhome?
We recommend clients start at annonces-caravaning.com — this is a nationwide website with the most reliable dealers. Once you identify a vehicle or two you like, we will search our own dealer network for similar models that may be cheaper or in better condition.
The prices we see on dealers' websites in France, is it usually an all-inclusive price, or are there additional fees to be expected?
The list price is at worst very close to the final price. Listed prices are inclusive of VAT if new, or VAT is not applicable for used. Dealers will add the registration tax dependent on engine size (normally around 500€) and may add a 500€ "on the road" fee. Expect to pay no more than 1,000€ above list price.
Is it possible to negotiate on price?
Short answer is no. It is not culturally normal to negotiate hard on price in France. Being a cash buyer does not qualify you for a discount. With current market conditions it is a seller's market and dealers can easily sell to another buyer at full price, so there is little incentive to offer a discount.
For the insurance quotes, is it part of the Motorhome Purchase Service?
Yes. There are not many insurance agencies that will insure a société civile. We have several contacts who offer cover in this way and are used to handling the process.
Assuming we find the right vehicle and proceed to purchase it, what would be the typical T&Cs?
You first pay a deposit of around 10% and sign an invoice called a "bonne commande" detailing all terms and conditions. This document will include warranty duration — normally 6 months, occasionally up to 12. The balance payment is expected promptly, up to a maximum of 3–4 weeks. Registration paperwork and fitting of any accessories are done thereafter.
What would the typical timeline and sequence of activities be?
We advise starting the société civile process as early as possible — the eventual KBIS certificate is required to complete the vehicle purchase. While that is ongoing, we settle on a vehicle model or two then start making concrete enquiries 3 months ahead of the trip start.
Storage
Is interior storage available or is there only exterior?
Interior storage convenient to Paris airports is at a premium but quite common elsewhere. Exterior is rather plentiful. Some places will store your vehicle outside until an interior space becomes available.
Are all storage facilities secured? Is there surveillance?
Yes, in most cases storage facilities are industrial buildings with surveillance or farm buildings with the family living on site.
Can we pay just for the months we store or is it an annual contract?
Highly in-demand storage spaces are paid for annually, the less so are monthly.
Are other services available in these storage facilities, such as washing the exterior or charging the batteries before we arrive?
Generally speaking, storage businesses are informal, independently run premises. The best approach is to build a good relationship with the owner — they'll typically be happy to accommodate extra requests.
General
How do I refill my gas bottle outside France?
If you travel outside France, you won't be able to exchange your French bottle for a local one as the connection types are different. Solutions include: using the Park4Night app to locate refill points, purchasing an adaptor set before you depart, or having a Gaslow refillable tank installed.
Would the insurance allow me to lend my campervan to a friend or family member?
Yes, in France it is the vehicle that is insured and any qualified person can drive it. The difference is that should they have an accident, the excess will very likely be higher (around 750€ on top of the standard 500€ amount).
Do we need an international driving licence since our Canadian permit is already in French?
Strictly speaking no, but we advise it is best to have a document and not be asked for it, rather than be asked for it and not have it.
What weight limit can I drive? My domestic licence says up to 4200kg.
Domestic limits do not always transfer over. The arbiter of this is the international driving permit issuer. A category B stamp is up to 3,500 kg and category C is up to 7,500 kg.
Any Other Questions?
Drop us an email or book a call if you have any questions not covered here.