So you’re thinking of moving to France? Do you dream of strolling along the river Seine, sipping café au lait in Montmartre, or basking in the iridescent light of the French Riviera? France has so much to offer, from iconic cities to Alpine resorts, azure seas and world-renowned vineyards. France is a fascinating patchwork of regions, each rooted in their own traditions, cuisine and vernacular.
France has a population of 67.97 million, of which just over 10% are immigrants. Paris is the country’s most populous city with 2.1 million people, followed by Marseille with 795,000 people and Lyon with 472,000. Until their run-in with the guillotine during the French Revolution, France’s Kings and Queens ruled over the wealthiest country in Europe.
The cost of living varies depending on which part of France you’re in. Paris is unsurprisingly the most expensive city, but you may be surprised to discover that the smaller cities of Lyon, Annecy and Bordeaux are not far behind the capital in terms of cost of living. In Mercer’s 2023 cost of living survey, Paris is ranked as the 35th most expensive city in the world, making it more expensive than Berlin, Brussels or Abu Dhabi, but cheaper than Amsterdam, Washington DC or Tokyo.
French language schools are free to attend for all children. International school fees are high, as they are across the world, and will account for a substantial part of your budget if you choose this route for your children.
Source: Paris, Numbeo. France, Numbeo. Data correct as of May 2024.
Source: Numbeo. Data correct as of May 2024.
Food in France is generally no more affordable than in the UK, but shopping habits are different, and you may find yourself shopping at market stalls where food is fresher and tastier (and less processed).
French cuisine is well loved the world over and the French are rightly proud of their culinary history. If you fancy a spot of people watching, café culture is a huge part of life in France. Order a coffee or flute of champagne and watch the world go by. If you tire of moules frites and entrecôte, there are plenty of other options for meals out, including Asian, Turkish and Lebanese to name a few. A good-quality three-course meal will cost in the region of €60.
The table below will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for staple food items in France.
Deciding on where to live can have a direct impact on how you settle into your new life in France. Balancing commute times, proximity to schools and rental costs can be challenging, especially if you want to be in a convenient location for making new friends, socialising and all the things city living has to offer. Renting is popular, with around 36% of the French population in rented accommodation. As with many cities around the world right now, Paris is facing an imbalance between demand and supply which is pushing rental prices up.
If you have your eye on owning your own property in France, there are a few things to be aware of, such as high transaction costs of up to 14.31% of the property value.
You have two options when renting in France: using an estate agent or agent immobilier, or renting direct from the landlord which is known as particulier à particulier. Renting through an agent will cost more because of agency fees but offers more security in terms of the contract and your rights as a tenant. Agencies will typically require a minimum of one month's rent, the security deposit and the admin fee upfront. They’ll also run a credit check to make sure you can afford the rent, although it’s illegal for a landlord to ask to see your bank statements.
Rentals can be furnished or unfurnished, but there are strict regulations regarding the mandatory equipment that must be provided in furnished accommodation, so make sure your landlord complies.
So, what type of properties can you expect to find in France? In the cities, most people live in appartements or maisons, which can be terraced, semi-detached or detached. In more rural areas, you have much more variety, from bastides to barn conversions, farmhouses to bungalows.
The following websites will get your started on your property search:
Thinking of buying a property rather than renting? The good news is, there are no restrictions on expats owning property in France. However, securing a loan will depend on your residence status, nationality, marital status and income. Banks are more likely to offer you a mortgage if you have proven links to France in the form of a residence permit or intention to stay throughout the duration of your mortgage term.
Property prices in France are in a state of flux, with significant increases in some areas but substantial drops in others. Stamp duty is 5.8% of the purchase price for all properties that are over five years old.
The French healthcare system is called Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) and is open to all residents in France, as well as expats who have been resident for longer than three months. By law, all residents in France must have some form of healthcare and pay around 7% of their salaries towards social security (employers pay 13%). In return, state health insurance pays for 70-100% of doctors appointments and treatment, with the patient responsible for the rest. In 2000, the World Health Organisation found that France provided the best overall health care in the world.
To register for healthcare in France, you must provide your ID or passport, proof of residence in France, a recent utility bill and an employment contract. You’ll then need to choose a primary care doctor in your neighbourhood and submit a declaration to your insurer in order to start accessing healthcare. You’ll receive a health insurance card called a carte vitale, which is your proof of insurance and something you need to take with you to all appointments.
If you do not qualify for public health insurance or want more complete coverage such as access to mental health practitioners, osteopaths and chiropractors, health insurance in France is necessary. Private and public healthcare is not as clearly defined as it is in other countries and even those with public health insurance can access private hospitals and specialists. However, as these private practitioners are more expensive, costs covered by the patient will be higher. For this reason, many French citizens and residents opt to top up their public health insurance with private cover.
For peace of mind, reduced waiting times and comprehensive medical support while living in France, consider health and medical insurance for expats.
Schooling is free for children ordinarily resident in France. Compulsory schooling starts with pre-primary from ages three to six. Primary school is for 6 to 11-year-olds, lower secondary for 11 to 15-year-olds, and upper secondary from 15 to 18. Students in upper secondary can choose between general baccalauréat, which will lead on to university, or vocational lycée, which is a non-university pathway.
There are many international schools across the country, most clustered in major cities. Enrolling your child in a British, American or IB international school, for example, will ensure the smooth continuation of the curriculum. The prospect of becoming fluent in French, however, is often a motivating factor for expat parents enrolling their children in local schools. The age of your children, as well as how long you plan to stay in France, will be the deciding factor.
There are public and private schools in France. Public schools are free, co-ed and secular. Class sizes can be large, up to 25 to 30 pupils. French schools operate via a catchment area system, which means your child will be allocated a school place depending on where you live. As well as this, you’ll need permission from your town hall and school inspectorate to enrol your child in the local school.
You can only bypass catchment area requirements if your child requires additional French language support. Transitioning into the French school system can be difficult for children with no prior knowledge of French. However, younger children pick up language more quickly so, in the long run, the benefits of this transition may outweigh the negatives, especially if you’re planning on staying in France for the long haul.
Private schools and international schools tend to be grouped together. Private schools are not very widespread in France, but there are many international schools catering for expat children whose parents, for one reason or another, have not opted for state education. Bilingual schools are a popular option for expat children and are a sort of middle ground between public and international schools in that they charge a fee but are not as costly as international schools.
International schools are mostly taught in English, although there are German language schools too. Some of the most popular international schools in Paris include the British School of Paris, the American School of Paris and Kingsworth International School. As time of writing, international school fees in France can cost up to €34, 000 (£28, 925, $36, 883) per child, per year. Private bilingual schools cost less: up to €24, 500 (£20, 846, $26, 579) per year.
Don’t let the frustrating levels of red tape and endless paperwork put you off moving to France. French work culture can seem like a breath of fresh air if you’re used to the daily grind in your home country which offers little or no downtime. An excellent work-life balance, social interaction in the workplace, long lunch breaks and annual leave allowances make France a great place to work.
If you’re moving to France from within the EU, you enjoy freedom to live and work in France without a visa. For the rest of the world, including the US and UK, you’ll need a work visa. France does have a list of visa exempt occupations, so be sure to check if this applies to you.
Since Brexit, UK nationals can enter France for holiday purposes for up to three months. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit, but you will not have the right to work.
Working visas in France can be broken down into three broad categories:
Short stay visas. These are valid for up to three months.
Temporary work visas. Valid from three months to one year.
Long stay work visas. These can be valid for five to ten years and can be renewed.
Within these three main categories, there are the following sub-categories of working visas:
In order to qualify for a work visa, you’ll need a job offer and signed contract from an employer. But that’s not the end of the process, France doesn’t have a reputation for endless red tape for nothing!
There are three steps in getting your work visa in France.
1. First, you’ll need a work permit. This is applied for by your employer once you have a job offer. They’ll need to demonstrate that you’re the best person for the job, as well as provide salary details.
2. Once your work permit has been issued, only then can you apply for a work visa. This is done online.
You’ll need to provide the following:
3. The final part of the process is to attend an appointment at a visa application centre in your home country. This must be done no later than two weeks before your travel date. VFS Global handles visa applications for France but do check if this is the case in your home country.
Taxation in France can be complicated. Earners are taxed progressively on their earnings, and allowances are made for married couples and number of children. France has tax agreements with countries around the world meaning as a resident, double taxation can often be avoided.
As an expat in France, make sure you seek out advice on your own tax situation.
As with many European countries, August is summer holiday month, and many small businesses close for an extended period in order to rest and relax in the sun.
Remote working is gaining popularity in France. Employers are becoming increasingly understanding of requests to work from home. The major difference in France, however, is the high value placed on social interaction in the workplace. The French love to chat face to face, resolve work problems and challenges in person and many prefer the office environment to the isolation of home working.
The four-day week is definitely gaining popularity in France. There is a growing understanding that longer working hours don’t equate to higher productivity, something that the French intuitively understand. It rests at the discretion of individual employers, and you’ll be expected to deliver your work and meet your targets in the same way as if you were working a full five-day week.
In terms of workplace culture and etiquette, the French prize professionalism and punctuality. Lateness is seen as rude and disrespectful of other people’s time. There is a level of formality in the French workplace too, and it’s better to address someone as monsieur or madame rather than their first name if you’re unfamiliar with them. Once you know them, first names and the informal ‘tu’ are fine.
Be sure to greet everyone with a bonjour before you start speaking. Launching into what you have to say without taking time to acknowledge others in the room is considered rude. The same goes with saying goodbye.
France has so much to offer, so if you have the time and the inclination, set off to explore the different regions. You’re spoilt for choice, really. If you want mountains, head to the Alps. Beaches? South to the French Riviera. Vineyards, it’s Bordeaux. Foodie heaven? Normandy is a surprisingly overlooked destination. Fields of lavender and farmers markets, head to Avignon. For Roman ruins and history, Marseille has you covered.
Paris is a fascinating city of contrasts. Magnificent and stately on one hand, grungy and full of graffiti on the other. Visit iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Louvre. Wander around the Musee d’Orsay and feed pigeons in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Relax with a picnic in the Luxembourg Garden or climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to watch the sun set over Paris. Walk along the River Seine and peruse the wonderful antique stalls selling all manner of posters, ancient books and vintage magazines.
Picasso found solace and inspiration in the south of France after WW2, and famously said, ‘I never draw fauns, centaurs, or mythical heroes anywhere else. They always seem to live in these parts.’ The French Riveria does have a fairytale quality. It’s in the twinkling blueness of the ocean, the luminous light and the fragrance of pine trees and sweet flowers in the air.
The best way to explore the myriad of villages in the South of France is by car. Start in Nice with its chic restaurants and pebble beach and work your way along the coast in either direction.
Clinging to the hillside 8.5 kms (5 miles) from Nice is the medieval village of Eze. It’s a haven for artists and creators and its winding streets are full of boutique shops.
If it’s seafood next to the ocean you’re after, head to Menton, Antibes or St Tropez. Relax on the beach and marvel at the super yachts bobbing just offshore.
If the glitz and glamour don’t appeal to you, there are many quieter, more down to earth villages dotted in the hills overlooking the ocean.
France is world renowned for its wine and visiting the country’s wine growing regions is a great way to while away a weekend, whether you enjoy a tipple or not. Stroll the picturesque streets of Bordeaux, explore Roman ruins in Languedoc, or visit Orleans or Tours in the Loire Valley to combine wine tasting with exploring chateaux and palaces of France’s long-lost nobility.
Very few places in the world (maybe Argentina and South Africa) offer such diverse landscapes where you can spend the morning on the beach and be on the ski slopes by the afternoon.
France has many airports which makes hopping to, well, anywhere, really easy. Air France is the major airline and flies regularly to every corner of the world.
Driving from Nice to Italy takes a few hours and the roads are excellent. You’ve got Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany pretty much on your doorstep depending on where in France you’re based.
As with most European cities, public transport in France is frequent and reliable. In Paris, the MRT will ferry you around the city and there are underground stations every few hundred metres. A one-way ticket on the metro currently costs €2.10 (£1.78, $2.27).
In Paris and other cities, buses are frequent, and trains are a convenient way to travel further afield. Bus tickets vary across France and can be bought online at a local tobacconist or on the bus from the driver. If you’re moving to Paris, get a Navigo card. It can be used on most forms of transport in the capital. Driving in the larger cities can be daunting, especially as a new expat! Anyone who’s been stuck in the inside lane around the Arc de Triomphe will tell you! But in the villages and more rural areas, a car will be essential.
The best way to settle into life in France is to sit in cafés, go for walks around the city, visit brocantes and flea markets on weekends, shop at local markets and interact with greengrocers, butchers, bakers and fishmongers.
Perhaps most importantly, learn French! The French are rightly proud of their language and culture and it's an excellent language to be able to speak. Enrol in French lessons and don’t be afraid to practise when you’re out and about.
If you’re moving with children, set up play dates and get to know other parents, both expat and local.
France adheres to EU regulations with regards to bringing cats, dogs and ferrets from abroad. It can seem like a lot to organise, but if you have the right documentation and have followed the rules, there’s nothing stopping your pet from joining you on your French adventure.
Pets may be brought into France without quarantine if the following requirements are met:
France is a popular destination for expats. The laid-back lifestyle, excellent work-life balance and affordable property prices are a big drawcard. Yes, you may feel mired in bureaucracy or entwined in red tape, but once you’re set up with your work and residence permits, health insurance and school places, you can start to enjoy everything a life in France has to offer.
At AXA- Global Healthcare, we have levels of cover to suit a variety of needs. To find out more, visit International Health Insurance: AXA - Global Healthcare.
Local insights have been provided by Oban International’s LIME (Local In-Market Expert) network: https://obaninternational.com/lime-network/