Common question and tax law is somwhat complex to say the least. There s a principal in the UK that if you ask the tax office for advice they have to give you the best advice thay can, to the piont that is they get it wrong and it costs you they they have to give you the money back with interest!! I think it is probably the case accross europe that if you are up front with them they will be helpful. What they are looking for is the people who use properties abroad, offshore accounts etc to dodge paying taxes. I think there is suposed to be a principle as part of U tax harmonisation thy nobody would ever finish up paying tax on the same thing in two countries so presumably if you become tax resident in France you cease to pay tax in the UK. Since tax seams lower and benifits greater in France this seams to be a good thing.