In truth the French tax rate is a lot less than the U.K. The cotisations ( social security ) payments are double that of the U.K. but pro rata my French State Pension is 30% more than my U.K State Pension, and the BIG plus is that the French Health care system if fast and very efficient. Example: I am undergoing 38 days of radiotherapy, picked up in a medical taxi ( only passenger ) every day, taken 68km to the Clinique, and taken back home. Cost to the State for transport: about 7,500€. Treatment probably 4,000€. All paid for by the State. Fucking French heh.