How To Move To France: Step-By-Step Guide (2024)

Wondering how to move to France as an expat or digital nomad? You’ve come to the right place!

As someone who has extensive knowledge of international relocation, this blog post will provide the necessary tips and information to help families and individuals successfully move abroad. Last year, France issued more than 300,000 residency permits to foreign nationals, so the odds are in your favor!

If this sounds like you (which I assume it is if you found yourself here!), continue reading below. You’ll learn more about passport requirements, the top places to live in France, the costs of moving abroad, and so much more.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find more information in our disclaimer.

Can You Move To France?

The short answer is yes, you can move to France! However, this is obviously dependent on a number of factors. These factors include which passport(s) you hold, your financial situation, and your job or employment situation.

Additionally, you truly have to be mentally ready to move abroad. You will be immersing yourself into an entirely new culture. You will also likely need to learn the French language and adjust to new norms and traditions (French people will really appreciate this).

This is one of the most exciting aspects of moving abroad – if you’re ready for it, of course!

Requirements To Move To France

As I explained above, there are a number of necessary requirements you have to consider when researching how to move to France. I explain a number of the most important requirements in-depth below:

✔️ Sufficient Financial Resources – You first need to make sure you have the financial means to move abroad. In most instances, this can be confirmed through a job you acquire overseas (in your home country), an employment contract for a job in France, or through savings. Moving to France requires money up front for visa applications, deposits for accommodations, and other fees. It is recommended that you have enough income or money saved up to cover a minimum of 120 euros per day (more if you have children or a larger family).

✔️ Valid Passport  – Make sure your passport is valid for at least another 18 months past the expiration of your long-stay visa. This includes one year to cover your visa stay and an additional six months as a buffer. If you are a family moving to France, you must make sure every member of your family has enough time left on their passport. More than two years of validity is highly recommended.

✔️ Proof of Accommodation – It might not make sense, but you actually need to secure housing before you submit your application for a long-term stay visa. This helps prove that you are committed to a life in France. It also gives the French Consulate an address to send documents to. Many expats think it’s better and more affordable to rent after the summer season. It’s best to start looking at what is available 3-4 months in advance as landlords typically don’t commit to leases (or attestation d’hebergement) earlier than that. Additionally, renting provides more time to explore neighborhoods and decide where you might want to invest in real estate.

✔️ Health Insurance + Additional Coverage – It is legally required that you enroll in a health care plan prior to arriving in France and applying for a long-term stay. It’s important to do your research on which healthcare option would be best for you and your family. You typically have three different options:

1. Purchase a private health care plan or keep your existing private plan through your home country, if allowed. 
2. Buy into the French state insurance scheme, PUMa.
3. Apply for the French universal healthcare system, Carte Vitale. This healthcare system is considered one of the best healthcare systems in the world! 

You can also purchase supplemental or “secondary” insurance to cover the percentage of costs not covered by a state insurance plan once you are accepted into France’s universal public health care scheme.  

✔️ A Long-Stay Visa – If you’re looking to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a temporary long-stay visa or a French long-stay visa. This does not apply to people who are already citizens of an EU country.

The process for getting a temporary long-stay visa is fairly simple and costs 99 euros per person. It allows for a stay of up to six months. However, this visa does not allow for paid work within France, and cannot be renewed once it expires.

The long-stay visa permits a one-year stay, sometimes longer if requested. However, the visa process for this is a bit more extensive. You must complete online registration and show many documents. These documents include a valid passport, proof of long term accommodation, your own public or private health insurance coverage, and financial resources. 

There are other visas (which I discuss in more detail below) that you can apply for if appropriate for your situation.

✔️ A French bank account – While it is not legally required for expats to open bank accounts in France, doing so is a great idea. Furthermore, you will want to open an account before you arrive. Doing so will allow you to pay your utility bills, register for the state universal health care system, pay your taxes, and rent. You can set up an online account with a mobile bank which is a much faster process. This allows you 24-hour access to your account. If you prefer to do it in person, you will need your passport, proof of accommodation, employment verification (if you have it), and visa (if you have it).

✔️ A Tax Identification Number (TIN) – If you are on a long-stay visa longer than six months and make income in France, you will need a TIN (or numéro SPI). This 13-letter code is used to calculate what residents and non-residents owe the French government annually. However, even if you don’t earn income in France on a long-stay visa, it’s still beneficial to obtain a TIN. You can unlock housing and other benefits with it. You can obtain your TIN after your first tax declaration, or you can apply online for one prior to your first filing.

How To Move To France

When researching how to move to France, all of the information and requirements can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to make it as streamlined and stress-free as possible!

STEP 1: Make sure you can afford the cost of living in France

Before you make any moves, you should first make sure you have the finances to begin the process of moving abroad. Many applications have fees, and down payments are occasionally required for apartment rents, health insurance, and visas. This doesn’t even include the cost to physically move you and your things abroad, especially if you have a family. It is recommended to have at least three to six months worth of French minimum wage salary saved up. This is around 3300 euros. You should triple this amount if you have a family. More is always better in this case. 

 STEP 2: Determine where in France you want to live

With so many beautiful cities and regions to choose from, deciding where to live while deciding how to move to France can be challenging. This decision should definitely reflect your finances, as well as the type of atmosphere and activities you enjoy. If you don’t like bustling big cities, Paris may not be for you. If you prefer a more quiet and slow pace in the countryside, a mid sized city like Toulouse might be a better fit. Cost is another deciding factor. Paris is the most expensive city to live in, but there are mid-size and smaller cities that are friendlier on the budget. I will cover some of these further on. 

STEP 3: Secure your accommodations

Once you determine the city or town you think will be best to live in, it’s important to secure your accommodation. It may seem like a backwards process, but you will need to show proof of accommodation in France prior to applying for your long term stay visa, open up a bank account, and more. To do this, it’s important to use reliable sources and websites to ensure you don’t fall victim to a scam. 

Many expats find that it’s best to search for open rentals in expat Facebook groups, chat groups, or through word-of-mouth personal recommendations from expats already there. Some other useful sources to help expats find housing in France are Wunderflats, Housing Anywhere, Explorimmo, and SeLoger. You can look at flats or houses prior to your arrival, but many expats prefer reserving temporary accommodations before they arrive, then looking at properties in person for their long term stay. 

STEP 4: Enroll in a health care plan

France requires that all expats show proof of health care insurance upon their arrival. You also need to show proof of health insurance when applying for a long stay visa. This can be from a public or private scheme, depending on what country you hold citizenship in. Some insurance companies with private plans for expats include Cigna Global, IMG Global, AXA Global Healthcare, and International Insurance. Once your long stay visa is approved, you may apply for France’s public universal health care program. This is usually after six months of your arrival to France, but can vary depending on your employment situation.

STEP 5: Apply for the Appropriate Visa

If you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days (a tourist visa), unless you are a citizen of a European country, you must apply for a long stay visa. Now, there are different types of long stay visas which I talk about above, so you will have to determine which one is appropriate for you or you and your family. The kind of visa you need to apply for will depend on how long you plan to live in France, your reason for relocating to France, and which passport you hold. 

You can apply for the following Visas as a foreign national:

1. Long Stay Visa as Resident Permit (VLS-TS). This is for a period of 4-12 months, and is for students, employees with a contract of indefinite duration, the husband of a French woman, and those with a Talents Residence Card.
2. Working Holiday Visa. This allows for one year of stay and cannot be renewed once expired. 
3. Temporary Long Stay Visa. This allows for a stay between four to six months. 

The requirements and rules may slightly differ depending on what country you are moving from. Check with your local consulate authorities for exact guidelines.

STEP 6: Set up a French bank account

As I talk about above, you should definitely set up a bank account in France. This isn’t legally required unless you are receiving income from within France. However, it will make your life a whole lot easier while going through the visa application process and actually living there! There are different types of accounts you can open, depending on your residency status and purpose of the account. These include:

1. Compte courant (general account for shopping, expenses, paying bills, and receiving salary)
2. Livret (general savings / deposit account)
3. Compte a Terme (fixed term savings account with interest rates)

To open up a bank account in person, you will need to show a valid passport, proof of income, residency status and . For an easier option, you can apply for a non-resident bank account with a French mobile bank. It’s pretty simple and it gives you 24 hour access to your account. In most cases, in order to do this you will need to show a valid passport or national identity card, a physical address, email, and phone number. 

Some banks require you to transfer a certain amount into your account to keep it open. Additionally, if you own a business with a high net worth, you can open up a multi-currency account with Wise. By showing a valid passport, you can hold, send, spend, convert, and receive Euros without the transaction fees before you even arrive in France.

STEP 7: Immerse yourself in the French culture

This might be the most stressful aspect of moving to France, but with great challenges come even greater rewards! The French are very proud of their heritage and rich history, and for good reason. Because of this, they truly value expats who arrive in France ready to immerse themselves in all things French. This includes recognizing and celebrating French holidays, learning the French language, being open to trying French wines and cuisines and interacting with locals. If you plan to move your family, enrolling your children in a Montessori or other bilingual international school is a great idea. This way, they can learn French and connect with local children. Finding ways to interact with the community you move to really makes for a richer and overall less stressful experience. 

Best Places To Live In France

If I am being honest, there’s no “bad” place to settle down in France. Sure, towns may be more affordable than larger cities, but cities also have more amenities and job opportunities! It really just depends on what you or your family are looking for. Below are some of the top places for couples, singles, and families to move to according to recent data. 

📍 Paris

BEST FOR: Couples; Singles

BUDGET: High

WHAT TO EXPECT: Famous Landmarks, World Renowned Restaurants, Rich History and Art Scene

Ah, Paris. The city of love. As one of the most culturally significant cities in the world, France welcomes more than 100,000 expats to Paris each year. In fact, 14 percent of the population of Paris are expats, which is the largest expat community in France. While it is popular, it is very expensive to live in the city, especially families. That being said, there are more pros than cons to starting an expatriate life in Paris.

For starters, there are dozens of globally famous art galleries and museums throughout Paris. These include the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Musée de l’Orangerie, among others. There are also dozens of historic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and Montmartre. An extensive public transportation system makes it easy to explore these sights. Close proximity to multiple airports makes visiting other countries from Paris possible. 

If you are looking to start a career in France, Paris is also the place to do it. The city has very large workforces in industries like fashion, finance, hospitality, and technology. Oppositely, Parisians are also known to place value on the work-life balance culture. While there are occasional worker strikes which is a downside, France strongly urges people to enjoy leisure time, lunch breaks, and vacations. 

📍 Lyon (Rhone-Alpes)

BEST FOR: Couples; Families

BUDGET: Mid-Range to High

WHAT TO EXPECT: Authentic Food Markets and events, Natural Spaces and Parks, Museums

If you are a self proclaimed foodie, Lyon is the place to be. Nicknamed the “world capital of gastronomy”, there is a running joke that the city has more restaurants than people. While that is not literally true, it is true that there are more restaurants per head in Lyon than in any other city in Europe!

If a vast array of cuisines isn’t enough to entice you to move there, its history might. Thanks to its incredibly diverse culture, Lyon itself  is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon is known to offer a very high quality of life and a dynamic economy for those who live there. It welcomes thousands of expats each year for study, jobs, and retirement. 

Lyon is also a great option for native English speakers. As the city is used to seeing millions of tourists each year, many of the locals are fluent or have a high proficiency in English. However, you will still get bonus points from the locals if you learn the French language!

📍 Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)

BEST FOR: Couples; Families 

BUDGET: Mid-Range 

WHAT TO EXPECT: Historical Architecture, Food & Wine Culture, East Access to Nature

Bordeaux might be easily overlooked by potential expats moving to France, but it shouldn’t be. There are many reasons for this! The most important of these reasons is the wine. I am somewhat joking when I say this, although wine culture is a very significant part of the culture in Bordeaux. 

Aside from the world renowned wine, Bordeaux is within close distance to the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoys a mild climate. The weather there is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. Furthermore, it’s considered one of France’s most pedestrian-friendly cities. If you love walking, hiking, or biking, this is the place to do all of it. You will be sure to enjoy 

The only downsides to a life in Bordeaux are the potentially high cost of property rentals and the tourists. Due to the global adoration of its wines, tourists flock from all over the globe to try them. The Old Town area is especially crowded during the summer months. 

📍 Nice (Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur)

BEST FOR: Couples

BUDGET: High

WHAT TO EXPECT: Mediterranean Climate, Beautiful Beaches, Blend of Cultures (French and Italian)

Many expats choose Nice as their chosen destination when researching how to move to France. It’s actually not surprising that they do since it’s considered one of the most picturesque cities in the entire country! Aside from its obvious beauty, Nice offers a very pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Since it’s located on the coast, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a beach day with outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, or kayaking.

Due to its close proximity to the ocean, Nice is full of incredible restaurants that sell fresh seafood. In fact, Nice itself boasts a blend of traditional Provencal cuisine as well as Italian and other Mediterranean influences. 

The only downsides to Nice are the high cost of living and somewhat limited job opportunities. However, the city itself is great for young couples or individuals looking to experience life in France for an extended period of time. 

📍 Toulouse (Occitanie)

BEST FOR: Couples; Families 

BUDGET: Low

WHAT TO EXPECT: Mediterranean Climate, Easy Access to Parks and Green Spaces, Great Public Transport

People who have relocated to Toulouse as digital nomads have had wonderful things to say about it. For one, the quality of life in the city is exceptional. Locals live at a slower pace, and there are plenty of parks and green spaces to enjoy. This is an important perk, especially if you have children you need to spend time outdoors. The city experiences very little snowfall in the winter, which might be a bonus if you enjoy milder weather.

Toulouse is also known for its festivals, cultural events, and nightlife – if you’re into that kind of thing! Job opportunities in certain fields such as aerospace and aeronautics are plentiful. The city also has a very reliable public transportation system to get around. Lastly, many members of the local community speak some level of English, though it’s still recommended to pick up as much of that beautiful French language as possible!

📍 Strasbourg (Alsace) 

BEST FOR: Singles; Families 

BUDGET: Low to Mid-Range

WHAT TO EXPECT: Diverse International Community, Rich Culinary Scene, Festive Holiday Celebrations

When considering how to move to France, don’t disregard Strasbourg as a place to settle down. Located in the stunning Alsace region, Strasbourg is most famous around the world for its over-the-top holiday decor and festive Christmas markets. This is for good reason, of course. More than 2 million people ascend upon the town during the holidays! However, Strasbourg is so much more than just a whimsical Christmas town.

Firstly, It’s surrounded by natural beauty including the Vosges Mountain range. It’s a popular spot to ski, snowshoe, camp, and hike. It’s also conveniently located in the heart of Europe, surrounded by Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. This makes exploring other countries much easier. Secondly, Strasbourg has a great community of expats. Because of this, plenty of meet-ups, events, and resources for newly relocated individuals and families are available. 

Lastly, the Alsace province has one if not the best social security and health care systems in France. In fact, if you legally reside in any town in Alsace, 90 percent of your health care expenses are covered compared to 70 percent in the general system. That’s a pretty amazing perk! 

📍 Perigueux (Dordogne) 

BEST FOR: Families 

BUDGET: Low 

WHAT TO EXPECT: Beautiful Countryside, Affordable Cost of Living, Focus on Outdoor Activities

The Dordogne region is one of the most affordable areas to live in France. As a more rural region, its towns and cities are surrounded by striking landscapes of fields, rolling hills, and charming medieval villages. With a population of more than 400,000, it’s large enough to still provide opportunities for growth and job opportunities, but not large enough to leave you feeling overwhelmed. The capital towns of Perigueux and Eymet have sizable expat populations. In fact, thirty percent of Eymet’s population is British! 

Throughout Dordogne, you will find top-notch dining, rich French culture, beautiful architecture, and locals who love outdoor activities. Many of them are avid hikers, bikers, kayakers, and swimmers given the close proximity to the Dordogne River. Regarding the locals, since many towns in Dordogne are smaller in size, you may have some trouble finding locals that speak English. That being said, it’s a great excuse to brush up on your French! 

Is It Expensive To Live In France? 

When researching how to move to France, you will find that the cost of living varies between urban and rural areas. That being said, France is still considered to be more expensive when comparing it to other European countries. For example, in the capital city of Paris, the cost of living is one of the highest in the world. 

The average cost of living for a family of four in Paris was more than $5000 USD per month in 2024. However, the cost of living in towns such as Toulouse and Bordeaux for a family of four was well under $4000 per month. France was ranked the 21st most expensive country to live in 2024. In order to live comfortably, it’s estimated that a household must bring in a minimum of $44,000 USD a year. Ultimately, even with higher costs of living, it’s still about 10 percent cheaper to live in France compared to the United States.

Is Living In France Good?

The short answer is yes – many people with French citizenship consider themselves to be very lucky to call France home. That’s one reason why hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals apply for nomad visas and (eventually) French citizenship themselves! From an excellent health care system and a strong work-life balance, to rich culinary traditions, stunning natural landscapes, and the chic French language, “la vie est belle” in France. 

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Move to France

Conclusion: How to Move to France

Have I answered all of your questions about how to move to France?

Hopefully, I have convinced you to take the leap and kick start the process of making your dream life in France a reality. If you put the time into doing research on visa requirements (and follow the advice in this blog), you’ll find that France is an ideal place for families, couples, and retirees alike.

Life in France as an expat can be extremely rewarding if you appreciate a slower pace, respect cultural traditions, and keep an open mind. From gourmet food and top-notch health care, to luxe seaside towns and the rolling hills of the French countryside, France truly has something for everyone to enjoy.