We talk to different types of doctors and therapists. All agree that the language is the main barrier to overcome and the paperwork is arduous but that help is available. None have regretted moving here, despite often taking a significant drop in pay. Their work is less stressful and they have more time to enjoy the country and their families.
Under the French medical profession’s code of ethics, doctors can be interviewed but not named or identified by their town or photo. Another difference, though no British doctor does it any more, doctors in France have to swear the Hippocratic oath – in French.

Acupuncturist in the Midi-Pyrénées

“My clientele is mostly French”
British reflexologist, holistic masseuse and reiki healer, has a clinic in Midi-Pyrénées

After 20 years working in London I was ready to move on. I wanted to live near mountains and liked the idea of working abroad. It was quite easy to get registered. First I went to the Fédération française des réflexologues. They were a bit cagey but I told them everything I’d done which included charity work in Africa. After that they were really supportive and made me an associate member so I could get insured. My French teacher came with me to URSSAF to help explain everything. I had copies of my international diplomas, translated into French. That made a big difference. They were very helpful. I opened my clinic three years ago.
Here you’re not allowed to promote the benefits of reflexology, so it’s all word-ofmouth. My clientele is predominantly French. I find them open-minded and trusting. My clinic is also an art gallery which is a fantastic showcase and has helped me get to know people really quickly.
Of course, I charge less here than I did in London. It has to be affordable otherwise it won’t work. It would be good if reflexology were covered by health insurance. In England alternative therapy is covered by the National Health. I think it will happen here as more people become aware of it. Doctors are happy their patients come to me. They see it as a good thing.

“It’s great even if we do give 50% to the state”
British osteopath, married to an osteopath, has a practice in Midi-Pyrénées

We settled here after a nine-month honeymoon touring southern Europe and set up as osteopaths with just our English qualifications. In France, osteopathy isn’t yet regulated. We’re classed as complementary therapists.
The main hurdle was the language. We did an intensive French course which helped enormously. The other problem was starting in business. There was confusion about which caisse we belonged to. The process was made a little easier by using an accountant but that wasn’t cheap and didn’t give us full peace of mind. We needed someone to hold our hands. In England we trained with lots of French students. When we said we were moving here they thought we were mad. They were planning to stay in England to practise, as it’s easier to set up, you pay less tax and there’s plenty of demand for treatment. They said that in France physiotherapists do the job of osteopaths. I don’t find that to be the case.
People here are well aware of osteopaths and will go out of their way to find one. We’re treating about 40 patients a week, mainly French. The practice is still building due to word-of-mouth publicity. So far it’s been great even if we do give 50% to the state. In England we could earn a lot more but we don’t mind earning less if we gain better healthcare, less stress, good schools and more time with the family. The unknown is whether we can keep our title. Osteopathy is in the process of becoming recognised.
I’ve had my practice for two years. My wife, who’s been on maternity leave, recently joined me. Having our two children under the French health system was a great experience.
Coming here was the best decision we ever made and we wouldn’t think of going back.

“It’s so nice without NICE”
British GP, Languedoc-Roussillon

At 34, I had just had my first child and was likely to be appointed a consultant in urology in the local general hospital – for many doctors the start of an ideal job surrounded by friends – and then came the idea “let’s go to France”. My husband and I felt we needed a change and so we just did it.
I did have Grade A French at O level and I had done a year of evening classes – but the language was the hardest thing.
Getting recognised by the French health system took about nine months and cost me £400, what with the official translations, eight or nine letters, degree certificates and a letter from the UK’s Department of Health saying my degree was acceptable in the EU and one from the General Medical Council confirming my registration.
Actually one of the hardest parts of the job at the start was remembering to ask patients for the €20 (now €22) – I was too embarrassed to start with – but then the bills rolled in and I had to steel myself – now I don’t even notice.
Is it really a good system? Well, it was said to be the best in the world in 2000 and I wouldn’t disagree with that. I have all the resources a GP could want. It’s easy to get appointments to see consultants or nurses and physios. In just a few specialities you might wait up to two months. I can prescribe pretty well whatever I want – no NICE [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence] saying what I can and cannot use… though there are a few drugs only a consultant can prescribe.
If a patient demands it, a doctor can write a prescription stipulating a named drug – but that may be phased out.
And the system is open to alternative therapies, particularly homeopathy. If you have ordered five back scans in a month in the UK you might postpone a sixth to keep within your budget – that certainly doesn’t happen here. On the other hand, there is no selfcertification here so the doctor has to spend a lot of time signing sick notes. It is not nearly as well paid as in the UK, where GPs can earn in excess of £100,000 a year – here, an average practice doctor would earn €60,000 and a really good practice around €80,000. But we have a better life.