A bill passed by the French National Assembly on the 29th of April 2009 means that the government may soon officially recognise civil partnerships between foreign people such as English expats living in France.

If passed the new law will mean that British couples who formed a civil partnership in the UK will receive the same legal recognition as French civil unions or Partes Civil de Solidarité (pacs). This means that they would be entitled to the same tax privileges, rights and legal benefits as French couples living under the Pacs regime.

Current laws mean that such partnerships are not recognised in France leaving some British couples unprotected by French law and having to face unfavourable tax regimes including a 60% inheritance tax.

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