Almost everyone has dreamed of moving to France at least once in their life. And if you’ve visited the country, then you most certainly have seriously considered it.
Except for the bureaucracy, there’s little not to love about France. French culture is an ideal environment for raising children, an infinite source of inspiration to fuel your pursuits, and an idyllic pace of life for retirees.
If you’re in the stage of making a move to France a reality, then this guide is for you. Read on to find out everything you need to know about moving to France from the U.S.
Things to Know about Moving to France from the U.S.
Work
Finding a job in France is challenging, especially for non-fluent speakers. Unless applying to multinational companies or start-ups, French fluency is expected. Work visas require you to secure employment before applying. Once in France, you’ll experience a strong work ethic balanced by a 35-hour work week and generous paid vacation.
Cost of Living
Your cost of living will depend on location and lifestyle. Overall, you’ll find that you can afford a better standard of living in some areas, like food and entertainment. The others, like rent, will depend on whether you choose to live in Paris, where accommodation is overpriced, or Montpellier in the South of France.
Housing
Next to finding a job, securing long-term accommodation is a quest best approached with patience and determination. Landlords in France are selective and prefer that the tenant has a job in France, which ensures rent can be paid. This process also comes with collecting documents like proof of income and identification.
While it’s exciting to finally find the French home of your dreams, you may have to manage expectations. Add on top a language barrier, hiring a relocation assistant may just pay off. As you begin your search, make sure you find furnished temporary accommodation first. Preferably in a convenient location to easily run errands, do viewings, and sort paperwork.
Healthcare
The healthcare system in France becomes available to you after three months of residing there. It works on a co-pay system with coverage of approximately up to 80%. Secure private health insurance to allow coverage until public healthcare becomes available to you.
Language
Knowing some French will be your biggest asset during the settling-in and integration process, especially if you’re moving to smaller cities. Outside of tourism and hospitality establishments, English is not widely spoken even in big cities. If you plan to move to France for work, you will most likely need to be fluent unless you secure work in a multinational company. For your children, you’ll have the option to enroll in international schools, as public schools are fully in French.
Culture and Lifestyle
Moving to France, just like anywhere else, will take adjustment. Some things will take time, and others will be a positive change for your lifestyle. For one, cities in France are walkable, and getting around on foot, by bike, or public transport is the norm rather than by vehicle, like in the car-dominated USA. Although this may seem less convenient, in reality, you will learn to have all your go-tos in walking proximity. As a byproduct of being a frequent visitor, you are more likely to integrate into the local community.
French people, especially in smaller cities, the countryside, and the coast, prefer a slower pace of living. It’s seen everywhere from business closing at lunch time to long meal times. It may be a welcome change from the constant productivity cycle in the American lifestyle. For others, moving to France for career or entrepreneurial endeavors, it may be a place of friction.
Forced or welcomed, the extra free time in your day is the time you could spend feeding on art, culture, and beauty in the simple things all around you. From browsing fresh produce at markets to admiring art. Who knows what doors this room for inspiration and creativity may open.
Visa
American citizens can reside in France for 90 days, after which they must exit the Schengen zone for 90 days. This is enough time to do a scouting trip, but your actual move to France will begin with securing a long-stay visa through your nearest French consulate. Some avenues you can explore are a student visa, an entrepreneur visa, an employment visa, and a long-stay visitor visa.
Once in France, you have to apply for a French resident permit called carte de sejour which allows you to reside in the country for five years, followed by a ten-year residency application, and finally become a permanent resident.
Final Thoughts on Things to Know About Moving to France
As the main takeaway to making sure your dream of moving to France comes to fruition with the least amount of stress possible, we recommend hiring help. Two services that will go a long way if you don’t know the language and are moving on a tight deadline are a relocation company and a reliable international moving company to ship your belongings. Start the process as early as possible, reach out to Arpin for free expert advice and compare quotes using our free Quote Smart tool.
