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Expat petition targets France's strict inheritance law for foreign residents

Expats in France call the law 'frightening' as it overrides their inheritance plans. Can a grassroots campaign force the EU to intervene?

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2 min read
The image shows a poster advertising a localisation of children in France. It features a group of...
The image shows a poster advertising a localisation of children in France. It features a group of people, some of whom are holding babies, and a cat. The poster also has text written on it, likely providing information about the localisation.

Expat petition targets France's strict inheritance law for foreign residents

A new petition is challenging France's controversial 2021 inheritance law, which forces foreign residents to follow strict French rules on passing assets to children. Trish Miller, the campaign's organiser, warns that the law is causing widespread concern among expats. So far, the petition has gathered fewer than 400 signatures—but its backers hope to push the issue to the European Parliament. The law in question enforces France's réserve héréditaire, a system that guarantees children a fixed share of an estate, even when families choose foreign legal systems. Miller launched the petition to highlight how this rule disrupts inheritance plans for non-French residents. She has described the situation as 'frightening' and urged more people to sign before the campaign gains further momentum.

If the petition reaches a high number of supporters, it could spark a debate in the European Parliament. A successful European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) requires at least 1 million verified signatures from seven EU countries—like the recent 'My Voice, My Choice' campaign, which collected 1,124,513 signatures and led to a parliamentary discussion in December 2025. Miller's team is also exploring other routes, including writing to senators and preparing potential legal challenges. The ultimate goal is to overturn Article 913, paragraph 3, of the French Civil Code. Many affected residents are now considering drastic measures, such as selling their properties, to ensure their inheritance wishes are respected. The petition remains open to all EU citizens and residents aged 18 or older.

The campaign's success depends on gathering far more signatures before it can influence EU-level discussions. If enough support is secured, the petition could force the European Commission to review the law's impact. For now, organisers continue to push for wider awareness and legal action.

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