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Moving to : France

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to France, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in France 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to France 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

French culture is defined in many ways. From fine wines and cuisine to haute couture. Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal. They are a people with a joie de vivre,a passion  for life. 

French Culture
Kwintessential - Language & Culture
French Culture Now

Each area of France will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of France you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of France you are investigating.

There is a much confusion regarding the need for a residence permit in France since a new law was passed in November 2003.  This law states that it is no longer compulsory for EU Nationals to need a residence permit (Carte de séjour).  However, this does not appear to have filtered out to everyone and therefore it's possible that some organisations will still expect you to have one. 

In addition, while researching this, I came across the term "community citizen".  As a layman, I had no idea what this meant, and for some reason, these people if over the age of 18, still needed to have a residence permit if staying in the country for more than 3 months.  From researching this further, it would appear that these people are those who belong to the new EU member states (with Cyprus and Malta exempt).

With all the above said, it would seem that although the law on this is clear and that you do not need one, most would say it's still advisable to have it.  Also, after 3 months, you must be able to prove that you can support yourself, either by your own financial means, an employment contract, or someone else financially supporting you.  Without this, you could be forced to leave.

Due to additional changes in legislation, we would suggest that before leaving for France, you should contact the French Consulate office in the UK to check on the up-to-date situation on documentation that may be required. You could also write to the British Consulate nearest to where you are going to live. It is a legal requirement in France that you carry some form of identification on you and having the Carte de séjour could actually make your life much easier. 

More information regarding applying for this, can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in France.  The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims.

Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in France
Jobs Abroad 
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

The following website offers additional ideas reagarding how to find work:

French Entrée - Employment

If you do not have an employment contract you will be working illegally and could be sent home.  Also, after 3 months, you will have to prove you can support yourself.  This must be done either by showing bank statements with enough money to support yourself, an employment contract or proof that someone else is financially supporting you.

More information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities".

If you are planning on going to France and starting your own business, the following sites may be of use to you.  Be aware that it's not easy...

Parisfranceguide - Talking Shop 
French Entrée - Self-Employment 
French Entrée - Do's and Don'ts of setting up a business 
French Entrée - Step-by-step guide to setting up a business 
Smallbusiness - Setting up business in France   
Doing Business

Be aware that it is illegal to start your own business without first obtaining a SIRET number.

French Entrée - Employing labour legally

The establishment you choose should provide you with information regarding the enrolment process. Do not trust this information! It is a good start, but quite likely to be incomplete, inaccurate, or out-of-date. French law changes with the wind. Check with the French embassy or consulate in the UK to find out what documentation you need.  Be sure to do everything well in advance of any possible deadlines. If the school year begins in November, then call the consulate in March. If you find yourself in France, wishing to attend a school, without the proper paperwork, your life has just become more complicated.

IntStudy - Studying in France  
Trans World - Why France? 
Open University - Business School in France 
Top Universities - Studying in France

The French recognise the need for good childcare and appear to be exceptionally family friendly.  They have a comprehensive system in place; however finding an open spot can be very difficult!  To find what you need locally, we would advise you to speak with the local authority about this prior to moving as arranging a place for your child, could take months!

Gites In Vendee - Childcare

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a French school?" Once you have made this decision, you can contact either local schools or one of the International schools. Be aware there is usually a huge waiting list and applications should be made early.

French Property - French Education System - Schools in France 
This French Life - Schooling in France 
French Schools - International Options
British International Schools

If you are considering retiring to France, then the following sites should be useful:

French Entrée - Retiring to France 
French Consulate - Retirement in France 
SAGA - Retiring to the Sun - the facts! 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad 

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in France can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, these links will help.

Buy Association - Buying a home in France 
French Property - Buying a property in France 

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

UK NET Guide
Property Abroad - Rental

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as French nationals.

NHS Guide 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance
French Entrée - Healthcare in France 
Property Showrooms - Healthcare - France
Other Countries - Healthcare 
Civitas - Healthcare in France   

If you require medical treatment in France, you should contact the Local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM).  Hand your European Health Insurance Card to them and they will give you a form.  Take this with you the first time you register with a Doctor (médicien traitant).  All specialist referals must go via this route.  Also make sure that your Doctor or Dentist is "conventionné" - this means they work within the French health system.

If you are in receipt of Sickness Benefit in the UK, you may be able to transfer payment to France. Ask at your local Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or Social Security office in the UK for more information.

Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of France. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted.  Doctors are not obliged to accept everyone, so shop around for one which will accept your whole family.  It's not unusal for different members of the family to have different Doctors for whatever reason.  For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.

For prescribed medicines you will be charged a standard fee, which is non-refundable.

There are loads of pharmacies in France and they can be recognised by the green cross in the windows.  Most pharmacies use an out of hours rotational system so that at least one is open at all times.  If the one you visit is closed, there will always be a note on the door informing you of where the nearest open one is.

Before taking any medication into France make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

Ambafrance - Importing medecines into France 

Private medical insurance is a personal choice. Although the French social security system is highly adequate, many of the French choose to have a "mutuelle", which pays other parts of the medical bills which normal social security insurance does not.

Paris France Guide - Health Insurance

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Opening a bank account is pretty easy in France! Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need to help:

French Entrée - Opening a French bank account 
This French Life - Opening a bank account in France

Be aware, if you are married, everything goes in the husbands name... As a married woman, it's very difficult setting up a bank account in your own name.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on international banking.

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.

The most popular company for both Telephone and Internet is France Telecom. This company has an english speaking telephone line for all your enquiries!  They can be contacted on 0800 364775 from within France. 

To run a television in France is much the same as doing so in the UK. You will need a "redevance audiovisuelle" (License) the cost of which is automatically added to your annual tax d'habitation (occupancy tax) for your home.  For private households, there is one fee only regardless of how many TV's you posess.  Be aware, if you have children under the age of 21 or 25 if they are still studying, your license covers them too, even if they are living elsewhere.  Regardless of whether you subscribe to the French TV channels, if you own a TV, this fee must be paid.

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

There are loads of different mobile phone options in France. Trying to help you decide which one to go with would take forever!  Although getting a mobile phone contract is much cheaper, it's very difficult to get one if you can- not prove your credit history in the country so "Pay as you go" may be your only option until you can prove yourself.

French Entrée - Land-lines, mobiles and the latest technology in France

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

Deciding whether to take your car or not, is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

Relocation Expert - Moving your Car Overseas   
French Property Links - Taking a car to France and registering it in France

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! Also, please don't forget to consider they may need their own Residency permits once in France.

Ambafrance - Importation of animals into France 
DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs & ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. As well as the tunnel for either taking the train or driving, the following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to France:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting