Moving to France

Dreaming of life in France? Whether you're attracted by the world-class cuisine, rich cultural heritage, or the promise of a better work-life balance, France remains one of Europe's top destinations for expats. This guide covers everything you need — from visas and healthcare to housing and cultural integration — for a smooth relocation in 2026.

France at a Glance

Why Move to France in 2026

Exceptional quality of life: France consistently ranks among the world's best for healthcare, education, and work-life balance. The 35-hour work week and minimum 5 weeks paid vacation are legally guaranteed.
World-class healthcare: The French healthcare system is considered one of the best globally, with public coverage reimbursing 70-100% of medical costs.
Central European location: Ideal base for exploring Europe — London is 2 hours by train, Barcelona 6 hours, and Italy reachable by car.
Affordable education: Public universities charge minimal fees (€178-€397/year for Licence through PhD), even for international students (engineering degrees are higher at ~€2,613/year).
Strong worker protections: French labor law provides robust job security, generous sick leave, and parental leave benefits.
Rich cultural and culinary heritage: From Michelin-starred restaurants to local markets, France offers an unmatched food culture alongside world-famous museums, festivals, and landscapes.
Growing tech and startup scene: Paris is now Europe's second-largest tech hub, with Station F — the world's largest startup campus.

Moving Costs to France

Understanding the financial aspects of your move is crucial for proper planning.

Costs by Origin Region

Component Costs Explained

Transportation: €800 - €5,000 depending on distance and volume
Insurance: €100 - €400 (typically 2-3% of declared value)
Customs clearance: €150 - €350 (for non-EU moves)
Packing materials: €100 - €300
Storage (if needed): €50 - €200/month
Administrative fees: €50 - €150

Visa & Residency Requirements

France offers several visa pathways depending on your nationality, qualifications, and purpose of stay.

For EU/EEA Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in France without a visa. You simply need to:

No visa or residence permit is required — you can live and work freely
A residence certificate (certificat de résidence) from the préfecture is available but optional — not mandatory under EU law
Register for healthcare through CPAM after 3 months of residency

OFII Registration & Carte de Séjour

After arriving in France with a long-stay visa, you must complete mandatory registration steps.

OFII Validation (First 3 Months)

What it is: The OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) validates your visa and arranges mandatory appointments.

Required documents:

Valid passport with visa
Proof of address in France (utility bill, attestation d'hébergement)
Passport-sized photos
Proof of financial resources
Health insurance certificate

The process:

Validate your visa online at administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Pay the OFII fee (€200 for most visa types)
Receive convocation for OFII appointment
Attend medical examination and integration visit
Receive OFII sticker (vignette) in your passport

Carte de Séjour (Residence Permit)

After your first year, you'll need to renew at the préfecture:

When: 2-4 months before your visa expires
Where: Préfecture of your département (appointment usually required)
Documents: Updated proof of income, address, health insurance, passport photos
Cost: €225 (taxe + timbre fiscal)
Note: Préfecture appointments are notoriously difficult to get — start early and be persistent

Finding Housing in France

The French rental market is competitive, especially in Paris and major cities. Understanding the system is essential.

Average Rents by Major City (2025-2026)

Source: Numbeo, March 2026; national averages. Paris is significantly more expensive than other cities.

Understanding French Rent Terms

Loyer (Rent): Monthly rent amount
Charges (Charges): Building maintenance fees, often included in rent ("charges comprises")
Dépôt de garantie (Deposit): Maximum 1 month's rent for unfurnished, 2 months for furnished
Bail (Lease): Standard 3-year unfurnished lease, 1-year furnished
État des lieux (Inventory): Detailed condition report at move-in and move-out — very important in France

How to Find Housing

Online Platforms:

SeLoger.com: France's largest property portal
Leboncoin.fr: Classified ads site, popular for direct-from-owner rentals
PAP.fr: Particulier à Particulier — no agency fees
Bien'ici: Official portal from French notaries
Logic-Immo.com: Large property database

Relocation Agencies:

Useful for newcomers who don't speak French
Typical fee: 1 month's rent (can be worthwhile in Paris)

Required Documents for Renting (Dossier de Location)

French landlords require a complete dossier. Prepare these documents:

Proof of identity: Passport, visa, residence permit
Proof of income: Last 3 payslips, employment contract, or tax returns
Proof of address: Previous utility bills or attestation from previous landlord
Guarantor (Garant): If your income is less than 3x the rent, you'll likely need a French guarantor (or use Visale, the state guarantee scheme)
Bank statements: Last 3 months
Tax notice: Most recent avis d'imposition

Visale: A free state-backed guarantor scheme for tenants under 30 and employees of any age. Apply at visale.fr.

Tips for Foreigners Finding Housing

Prepare your dossier in advance — landlords won't wait
Be ready to sign quickly — good apartments go in hours, not days
Consider temporary housing (Airbnb, residence hotel) for your first 1-2 months while you search
Use PAP or Leboncoin to avoid agency fees (typically 1 month's rent + VAT)
Visit apartments in person whenever possible — photos can be misleading

Warning: Rental Scams

Never transfer money before visiting the apartment in person
Be wary of "too good to be true" prices, especially in Paris
Avoid landlords who claim to be abroad and can't show the apartment
Verify the owner through the land registry (cadastre) if in doubt

Healthcare & Insurance

France has one of the world's best healthcare systems, combining universal public coverage with optional private insurance.

How the System Works

All legal residents are entitled to coverage through the Assurance Maladie (public health insurance), managed by CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie). The system reimburses 70-100% of most medical costs.

Public Health Insurance (Sécurité Sociale)

Coverage: Doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, maternity care, chronic illness treatment
Reimbursement rates: 70% for GP visits, 60-100% for medications, 80% for hospital stays
How to register: Apply at your local CPAM office after establishing residency
Carte Vitale: Your health insurance card — present it at pharmacies and doctors for instant reimbursement

Mutuelle (Complementary Insurance)

To cover the remaining 30% not reimbursed by the public system, most residents purchase a mutuelle (supplementary insurance):

Cost: €30-€120/month depending on coverage level
Coverage: Covers co-payments, dental, optical, private hospital rooms
Top providers: Harmonie Mutuelle, MGEN, AXA, AG2R La Mondiale, April International
Employer requirement: Since 2016, all employers must offer and partially fund mutuelle for employees

Healthcare Timeline for Newcomers

Upon arrival: Use travel insurance or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for immediate coverage
After 3 months residency: Apply for PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie) at CPAM
Processing time: 2-6 months to receive your Carte Vitale
Mutuelle: Purchase immediately or wait for employer enrollment

Doctor Visits & Costs

GP visit (médecin traitant): €30 (standard rate since Dec 2024, 70% reimbursed by CPAM)
Specialist visit: €30-€60 depending on specialty
Prescriptions: 65-100% reimbursed depending on medication
Hospital stay: 80% reimbursed by CPAM, rest by mutuelle
Dental: Basic procedures well covered; major work less so — mutuelle important
Optical: Often the weakest coverage — choose mutuelle with good optical benefits

Choosing a Médecin Traitant

Required for full reimbursement of specialist visits
Can be any GP accepting new patients
Check doctolib.fr to find doctors and book appointments online

Banking & Finance

Opening a Bank Account

When to open: As soon as you have proof of address (even temporary) — you'll need a French account (RIB) for rent payments, salary, and most formalities.

Required documents:

Valid passport
Visa or residence permit
Proof of address (utility bill, attestation d'hébergement)
Sometimes proof of income or employment

Top banks for expats:

BNP Paribas: Largest French bank, extensive branch network, English-speaking branches in major cities
Société Générale: Second-largest, good online services
Crédit Agricole: Regional cooperative bank, strong in rural areas
HSBC France: Good option if you have HSBC in your home country
N26 / Revolut: Popular online alternatives — quick to open, no branch needed
Boursorama (BoursoBank): Top-rated online French bank, free current account

Bank Account Costs

Monthly fee: €0 (online banks) to €10-€15/month (traditional banks)
Debit card: Often included; premium cards €5-€15/month
International transfers: €15-€30 per transfer (use Wise or Revolut for cheaper options)
ATM withdrawals: Free at own bank's ATMs; €1-€3 at others

Getting a RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire)

Your RIB is your bank account details document. You'll need it for:

Setting up direct debits (rent, utilities, phone)
Receiving salary payments
Applying for housing aid (CAF)
Almost any administrative process in France

Getting Your Numéro de Sécurité Sociale

Your social security number is essential for healthcare, employment, and tax purposes:

When issued: After your first employment or CPAM registration
Format: 15 digits (1 + birth year/month + birthplace + etc.)
Temporary number: Issued first, permanent number follows within 3-6 months
Ameli account: Create online at ameli.fr to manage healthcare once you have your number

Cost of Living in France

Monthly Budget Breakdown by City

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Housing:

1-bedroom apartment (city center): €550 - €1,400/month
1-bedroom apartment (outside center): €400 - €1,000/month
Utilities (85m² apartment): €120 - €320/month
Internet (broadband): €20 - €42/month

Groceries & Food:

Monthly groceries (1 person): €250 - €450
Inexpensive restaurant meal: €10 - €25
Mid-range restaurant for 2: €40 - €100
Baguette: €1.00 - €1.40
Coffee (espresso at bar): €1.50 - €3.00

Transportation:

Monthly public transport pass: €35 - €90 (Paris Navigo: €90.80/month since Jan 2026; most employees pay €45.40 with employer contribution)
Taxi start: €2.80 - €8.00
Gasoline (1 liter): €1.70 - €1.99
TGV (Paris-Lyon): €30 - €90 depending on booking time

Insurance & Healthcare:

Public health insurance: Free (covered by social contributions)
Mutuelle (complementary): €30 - €120/month
Home insurance: €15 - €40/month

Leisure & Entertainment:

Gym membership: €20 - €50/month
Cinema ticket: €9 - €15
Netflix/Streaming: €6 - €20/month

Comparison with Other Countries

vs Germany: Comparable overall; Paris more expensive than Berlin, but other cities similar
vs UK: Generally 15-25% cheaper than London; smaller cities significantly cheaper
vs USA: Healthcare much cheaper; housing in Paris comparable to major US cities but groceries and dining are often cheaper

French Culture & Integration Tips

Language

While English is spoken in international companies and tourist areas, French is essential for daily life, bureaucracy, and social integration outside Paris.

French Language Levels (CEFR):

A1 (Beginner): Basic greetings and simple phrases. Achievable in 2-3 months of study.
A2 (Elementary): Handle simple daily interactions. Minimum recommended level for daily life. 4-6 months.
B1 (Intermediate): Comfortable in most everyday situations. Many administrative processes require this level. 8-12 months.
B2 (Upper Intermediate): Professional-level fluency. Required for most French-speaking jobs. 1-2 years.

Language Learning Resources:

Alliance Française: International network offering quality French courses, €150-€400/month
Cours de français (free municipal courses): Many cities offer free or subsidized French classes for newcomers
France Éducation Integration: Government-funded integration courses including French
Duolingo / Babbel: Good for basics, but not sufficient alone
Tandem apps (HelloTalk, Tandem): Language exchange with native speakers

Cultural Norms & Etiquette

Greetings:

Always greet with "Bonjour" (or "Bonsoir" after 6pm) when entering a shop, café, or speaking to anyone
The bise (cheek kiss) is common among friends and acquaintances — 2 kisses in most regions, sometimes 4
Use "Monsieur/Madame" in formal situations — French formality matters

Meals:

Lunch is typically 12:00-14:00 — many shops close during this time
Dinner is usually 19:30-21:00 — eating before 19:00 is considered early
Meals are social events, not rushed — don't expect fast service
Bread is placed directly on the table, not on the plate
Wine with meals is normal and culturally important

Administrative Culture:

French bureaucracy is thorough — always bring original documents plus photocopies
Appointments are essential — showing up unannounced often doesn't work
Being polite and formal goes a long way — rudeness gets you nowhere
Things move slowly — patience is a virtue in France

Social Norms:

Dress well — appearance matters in French culture
Don't be excessively loud in public spaces
Respect meal times and don't call during lunch (12-14h) or after 20h
Sunday rest is still observed — most shops closed, especially outside big cities

Social Integration

Meeting People:

Join local associations (clubs, sports, volunteering) — France has a strong associative culture
Attend neighborhood events, marchés (markets), and festivals
Expat groups on Facebook and InterNations are active in major cities
Learn French — it's the single most important step for integration

Key Expat Resources:

AngloInfo: English-language resource for expats
FUSAC: France USA Contacts — popular in Paris expat community
Expat.com France: Forum and guides

CAF Housing Aid (APL/ALS)

One of France's unique benefits — the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) provides housing aid to nearly all residents, including expats.

What it is: Monthly financial aid to help pay rent, based on your income and rent amount Who qualifies: Nearly all legal residents (including expats on long-stay visas) How much: Typically €100-€300/month depending on income, rent, and location How to apply:

Sign your lease and move in
Apply online at caf.fr
Provide your residence permit, lease, and bank details
Aid starts 1-2 months after application

Important: Apply as soon as you move in — the aid is not retroactive to your arrival date, only to the application date.

Where to Find Tools and Resources

ReloAdvisor Tools:

Volume calculator — Estimate your shipping needs
Video survey — Get a tailored moving quote
Moving cost calculator — Budget your relocation

Official French Resources:

france-visas.gouv.fr — Official visa portal
service-public.fr — Government services portal (French only)
caf.fr — Housing aid applications
ameli.fr — Health insurance portal

Expat Communities:

Expat.com France — Forums and guides
AngloInfo France — English-language resource
InterNations France — Global expat network

Related Guides:

Moving to Germany
Moving to Spain