Moving to France

France has so much to offer expats. From the romantic charm of Paris to the sun-soaked beaches of the French Riviera, and from the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux to the scenic landscapes of Alsace, there is something for everyone. Some areas are ideal for families, others may be preferable for retirees wanting a quiet life. We’ve highlighted a selection for your consideration.

Moving to France with a family is not without its challenges, but thankfully, there are plenty of areas to choose from. You’ll want to find a place with good schools, plenty of green spaces, job opportunities and a safe environment. The Île-de-France is a great starting point.  The towns of Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and Neuilly-sur-Seine have excellent schools with easy access to Paris. Lyon is also a great place for families. It has a robust economy, plenty of parks, an inclusive and immersive culture and offers city life without the hectic feel of Paris. Bordeaux rates highly, too. The city and its surrounding towns have a relaxed feel and, like many parts of France, have excellent schools.  For families who prefer outdoor living or more recreational areas, Annecy and Grenoble are perfect, especially if hiking or skiing are popular family hobbies. For a warmer feel, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes and Antibes are great choices.

France is a hotbed for the digital nomad lifestyle. Plenty of stylish cities can put you in the heart of the startup scene and help you embrace networking opportunities, while others give you a quiet backdrop so you can focus on work without tempting distractions.

Paris is ideal for digital nomads, with its rich cultural scene, abundance of co-working spaces and endless networking opportunities; it is a great place to get yourself noticed, if a tad expensive!

Lyon is similar but offers a much lower cost of living, which certainly adds to its appeal. We also rate Bordeaux (relaxed city living), Toulouse and Montpellier (strong digital nomad communities) and Nice (relaxed and sun-soaked).

For expats looking to live out their golden years in France, a relaxed pace of life, beautiful landscapes, and rich culture are often high priorities. Provence offers charming streets, sunny weather and a calm pace of life. The Dordogne and Lot regions tick the box for countryside living, while Brittany and Normandy are ideal, with small, welcoming towns, coastal views and rugged landscapes.

France is generally a safe country to live in, but expats are advised to exercise caution in some places. Additionally, language barriers and access to certain services may make things more challenging in rural areas.

Industrial towns and regions with struggling economies may be best avoided in the early days of your stay in France. With limited job opportunities and limited access to key services, the initial part of your time in the country may be difficult. Many cities tend to be a draw for expats, and while they are generally safe, certain neighbourhoods in Paris, Marseille and Lyon may be best avoided due to above-average crime rates.

Citizens of EU countries can move to France and live there indefinitely without a visa or residence permit. However, if staying longer than three months, they may need to register locally and meet specific conditions to extend their stay.

For those from non-EU nations, visa requirements depend on nationality. Citizens of visa-exempt countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan can visit France and the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This is purely for tourism or business trips and does not allow visitors to work, study or live in the country long-term. Citizens of non-EU countries that are not visa-exempt must apply for a visa before entering France, even for short visits.

Anyone planning to stay in France for more than 90 days must apply for a long-stay visa before travelling. In many cases, this will be the Visa de long séjour-valant titre de séjour (VLS-TS). This acts as a temporary residence permit and must be validated within three months of arrival. You’ll be eligible to stay in France for a year, but for longer stays, you must apply for residence through the local prefecture.

You’ll need a residence permit in France if you stay for longer than a year. These permits, known as titre de Sejour allow you to live in France legally. Many long-stay visas, such as the VLS-TS, act as temporary residence permits for a year, but a full permit is required to stay longer.

There are different types of residence permits in France, and like visas, they depend on your situation. They last for 1-4 years with the option to renew.

To apply for a residence permit, you’ll need:

As a non-citizen, you can open a bank account in France. There are plenty of options to choose from, with BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole among the most popular. All you need to do is visit your local branch, complete an application form and provide the relevant information. This would normally include:

Some banks may require further information, and in many cases, you may be asked to have certain documentation translated into French.

Card payments remain the leading payment method in France, with cash making up around 10% of all transactions. That said, independent retailers and services in remote areas may prefer cash over card. Contactless is used widely. You can spend up to €50 without inserting your card, but some devices allow you to pay more than this amount, provided you also enter your PIN once your card is tapped.

France has a varied cost of living. Cities such as Paris are expensive, although mid-sized cities like Rennes or Dijon deliver good value for money. Rural areas are by far the cheapest to live in, and when compared with equivalent areas in the UK, they offer exceptional affordability. Overall, the cost of living in France is generally lower than in the UK and the USA, but is more expensive than in Italy and Spain.

The minimum wage in France was recently increased to €12.02 per hour, making France one of only a few countries where the minimum wage earns you more than €1,500 per month. Unfortunately, the high tax rates mean your wages may have to go much further than they would in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy or many other European countries. However, many in France accept these significant deductions because they contribute towards a great healthcare system and comprehensive retirement and unemployment benefits.

Using the latest Numbeo data, we’ve highlighted some common expenses in France and compared them to those in one of Europe’s most expensive countries, the UK.

Before moving to France, you’ll need to organise a place to live. Rental and homeownership are both options for expats. You don’t need to be a citizen, meaning the process can be quite simple.

Renting is common in France, with a little under 40% of the population opting to rent rather than buy. Costs vary greatly by region, with Paris, of course, being the most expensive place to rent a home. It’s quite possible to rent a property in Montpellier for at least 50% of the price that the same accommodation would cost in the capital city.

The rent process is quite easy. Choose whether to go directly through a landlord or through an agent immobilier. Just be aware that while a landlord is a cheaper option, it may not be as secure as using an estate agent.

Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll likely need to provide a dossier de location. This will include:

If your application is successful, you’ll pay the first month’s rent and a deposit. The deposit is capped at one month’s rent for an unfurnished property and is returned one to two months after your contract ends.

Buying a home is a popular option for expats in France, but you can face several obstacles, notably, the time it takes for the legal work to be completed. You can find your new home through an estate agent or an online portal, and once you are happy. You can follow some simple steps:

Other costs also apply and can amount to 6%-8% of the property value, or 2%-3% if a new build. One challenge expats may face is the mortgage. Foreign buyers may be required to pay a higher deposit or face more stringent checks when applying.

Moving to a new country can be challenging, and it’s not just about finding a job or securing school placements. Cultural differences and language barriers can make settling into the French way of life difficult.

French is the primary language in France, but English is widely spoken in the major cities. Whilst this can be beneficial, it is worth noting that in rural areas or smaller towns, the prevalence of English speakers can be significantly less.

France is a hotbed of cultural infusion, but there are key differences expats should note. Politeness is expected everywhere. For example, failing to greet or thank a shopkeeper when entering or leaving the store is considered rude.

A huge emphasis is put on food, and you may not notice as much “on-the-go” eating as you would elsewhere. Instead, meals are sacred, with 2 hours or more often dedicated to lunch and dinner.

You’ll also find that there’s a lot of paperwork. From permits to taxes and more. Nothing is quite as straightforward as you may have thought.

You will also notice that conversation can be direct, but nuanced. This can take some adjusting to.

Etiquette plays a key role in France. Punctuality, politeness and respect are expected. From arriving on time for appointments to addressing people correctly, it all matters.

Greet someone with a handshake in a work environment, but use cheek kisses among friends and acquaintances.

You should also remember to use the correct form of “you”. In a work environment, around elders or with strangers, always use “vous”. When with friends, family or children, always use “tu”.

You also need to remain aware of personal space. The French people appreciate more personal space than people in many other cultures, and getting too close can be seen as intrusive.

There is a tremendous focus on valuing personal and leisure time in France. The standard workweek is 35 hours, with lunch breaks often extending to 2 hours. Overtime exists but is not as common as it is in many other countries. You’ll also notice a respect for work/personal life boundaries from employers.

There are five weeks of paid holiday as well as the national holidays, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy all France has to offer.

France has a typical European climate with the four seasons reflecting much of what you find elsewhere on the continent. Southern areas are, as you’d expect, warmer than those in the north, with Provence and the Riviera enjoying 30ºC+ in summer months while Paris averages around 25ºC. May and June are nice months for enjoying outdoor activities without it being too warm. January and February, on the other hand, are unlikely to see temperatures rise above 7 °C, and in some areas, snow is frequent, allowing winter sports fans to enjoy their hobby.

In 2026, there are 11 main public holidays. These days, known as jours fériés, are as follows: