France continues to draw Expats with its blend of cultural richness, exceptional public services, and high quality of life. But the move isn’t just a romantic leap—it’s a detailed process that requires planning, patience, and local know-how.
This guide is your hands-on, up-to-date roadmap for moving to France as a non-EU Expat in 2025. It complements our French Visa Guide by focusing on everything else: housing, healthcare, schools, bureaucracy, transportation, and the day-to-day decisions that shape a successful life in France.
Step 1: Decide Where to Live
From cosmopolitan Paris to tranquil villages in Occitanie, each region in France offers a distinct lifestyle, cost profile, and pace. Don’t just choose based on scenery—think about connectivity, services, climate, and your integration goals.
| Location Type | Examples | Pros | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major cities | Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux | Career opportunities, cultural life, transit | Expensive housing, fast pace |
| Mid-size cities | Nantes, Toulouse, Montpellier | Good services, growing Expat communities | Housing competition rising |
| Rural & small towns | Brittany, Dordogne, Auvergne | Affordable, peaceful, community life | Fewer services, car essential, less English spoken |
2025 tip: France is heavily investing in “smart villages” that offer high-speed fiber, coworking hubs, and remote-worker incentives—ideal for digital nomads and families seeking rural calm with modern infrastructure.
Step 2: Before You Arrive
Rent or Buy: Understand the Housing Landscape
To rent, you’ll need a complete dossier with proof of income, ID, visa, and possibly a guarantor. Use DossierFacile to build one easily.
2025 tip: Furnished rentals are still easier for new arrivals, especially in big cities. Ask for an “État des lieux” before signing anything—it details the condition of the property and avoids disputes later.
Buying property is possible without citizenship. You’ll need:
- A notaire (legal advisor)
- French bank account (for mortgage)
- Additional buyer’s costs (~7–10% of sale price)
Prepare for Healthcare Access
Your first 90 days require private expat insurance. After 3 months, you can apply for France’s PUMA public health system via CPAM.
2025 tip: CPAM portals are slowly digitizing—many allow partial online setup, but be ready to mail paper forms, too. Keep scanned copies of everything.
Don’t forget a mutuelle (top-up insurance), which covers copays and specialist visits.
Sort Out Your Finances
Open a French bank account with:
- ID + proof of residence
- French mobile number
- Residence permit or VLS-TS validation
2025 tip: Wise, Revolut, and Boursorama remain go-tos for fast transfers and borderless banking. Americans should ask upfront if the bank supports FATCA reporting.
Organize Your Admin Documents
Bring originals and French translations of:
- Birth and marriage certificates
- School transcripts (for kids)
- Vaccination records
- Employment or income proof
These will be used for visas, healthcare, school, CAF, and more. Expats wait 6+ months. Bring certified French translations of documents like birth certificates to avoid delays.
Step 3: First 90 Days in France
Validate Your VLS-TS Visa
Complete validation online via OFII. You’ll receive:
- A health exam appointment
- Civic integration invitation
2025 tip: OFII’s integration module now includes sessions on environmental responsibility and digital literacy—attendance is mandatory.
Register With Local Services
Head to your mairie to:
- Register your address
- Sign up for waste collection
- Inquire about welcome sessions (many towns offer them)
2025 tip: Look for bilingual volunteers or “Accueils Nouveaux Arrivants” groups—local initiatives helping new residents settle in.
Set Up Utilities and Internet
Arrange:
- Electricity/gas (EDF, Engie)
- Water (via mairie or régie)
- Internet (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues)
2025 tip: Use ariase.com to compare fiber and ADSL plans. Many landlords will help with initial utility setup—ask before signing.
Step 4: Integration, Education, and Daily Life
Learn French and Embrace Culture
Language is key to thriving—not just surviving.
Options:
- Alliance Française (classic)
- Municipal classes (cheap or free)
- Online platforms: Frantastique, Italki, Preply
2025 tip: The Bienvenue en France initiative is expanding and includes language courses + cultural orientation for all new arrivals.
Understand Education and Childcare
Public school is free and mandatory from age 3. Enroll through your mairie.
2025 tip: For children under 3, options include:
- Crèches (municipal nurseries—apply early!)
- Assistantes maternelles (licensed home care)
- Private bilingual nurseries (more common in large cities)
Bring:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Proof of residence
- Health/vaccine records
Many towns now offer bilingual programs in public schools, especially in major metros and border regions.
Exchange Your Driver’s License
Eligible nationals (e.g. US, UK, Canada) can often exchange their license without a driving test.
Apply via ANTS.fr with:
- License + translation
- Proof of residency
- Passport-style ePhoto code
2025 tip: Some prefectures now offer remote appointments via video—check availability in your area.
Public Transport and Getting Around
France has one of Europe’s best networks:
- Cities: Trams, metro, bus (Navigo pass in Île-de-France)
- Regional: TER trains
- National: SNCF rail, TGV
2025 tip: Cities now integrate electric scooters, bikes, and parking via one mobility app—check your city’s mairie for local systems.
Finding A Job in France
France offers strong opportunities for skilled professionals, but the job market can be competitive—especially for non-EU citizens. Understanding the local landscape, visa requirements, and cultural expectations will help you stand out.
Where the Jobs Are
In 2025, demand is high in sectors such as:
- Tech & Engineering (AI, cybersecurity, clean tech)
- Healthcare (nurses, doctors, elder care specialists)
- Education (especially English teachers with TEFL or CELTA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (bilingual staff for hotels, restaurants, attractions)
- Construction & Skilled Trades (notably in regional towns)
2025 tip: Green energy, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience roles are growing fast. Explore job openings via innovation hubs or regional investment websites.
Job Search Resources
Start your job hunt with:
- Pôle Emploi – France’s national employment service
- Indeed France – Mainstream listings with English job filters
- Welcome to the Jungle – Focused on startup, tech, and creative roles
- APEC – For executive and qualified white-collar jobs
- LinkedIn – Widely used for networking and applying directly
- Angloinfo Jobs – Aimed at Expats and English speakers
Local coworking spaces and international chambers of commerce are also great for networking and job events.
French Workplace Language and Culture
- Most jobs require at least B2-level French, especially in customer-facing or administrative roles.
- Interviews tend to be structured and formal. Use “vous” until invited otherwise.
- Hierarchy and politeness are important in workplace interactions.
Some international companies operate in English, but they remain the exception, not the rule.
Contracts, Salaries, and Benefits
- CDI (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée): Open-ended and preferred for stability
- CDD (Contrat à Durée Déterminée): Fixed-term, often renewable
- Temps partiel: Part-time work; often common for students or freelancers
While base salaries may appear lower than in the US or UK, France offers excellent benefits—5 weeks of paid vacation, strong job protections, healthcare, and robust maternity/paternity leave.
2025 tip: The Passeport Talent – Culture & Creative category now includes digital creators and cultural entrepreneurs. A good fit for content professionals with an international client base.
Step 5: Build a Life That Works
Understand French Bureaucracy
Get used to:
- In-person appointments for digital tasks
- Paper copies, even when you’ve uploaded a PDF
- No email replies—but letters in triplicate
Tips:
- Stay polite and persistent
- Always ask for a “récépissé” (receipt) for submissions
- Use Lettre Recommandée with Accusé de Réception for official mail
2025 tip: FranceConnect now connects CPAM, taxes, CAF, and other services. Get a login and use it to simplify your life.
Tap Into Financial and Family Benefits
CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) provides:
- Housing aid (APL)
- Childcare support
- Income-based benefits
Apply early—it can take months.
2025 tip: Many CPAM and CAF offices now offer English-language support online, but face-to-face still moves faster.
Prepare for Taxation and Residency Obligations
All residents must file a French tax return, even with no French income.
2025 tip: The taxe d’habitation is now entirely abolished for main homes. Taxe foncière remains for homeowners.
Americans: File both US and French returns. Use a cross-border accountant if unsure.
Know What to Do in Emergencies
- Medical: Call 15 or 112 (Europe-wide)
- Police: 17
- Fire/Accidents: 18
Pharmacies rotate “on-call” after hours (pharmacie de garde)—look them up via local signage or online.
2025 tip: Use Doctolib.fr to book doctors, dentists, or teleconsultations. Some English-speaking practitioners are listed.
Embrace French Daily Life
Cultural norms:
- Say bonjour every time you enter a shop
- Shops often close mid-day or on Mondays
- Tardiness is tolerated less than in many anglophone countries
- Sunday is sacred: for family, for food, not for errands
Expats often find that once you lean into the rhythm of French life—long lunches, strong coffee, formal greetings—it’s easier to feel at home.
Final Expat Tips
- Join local sports, arts, or parents’ associations—this is how many locals make friends.
- Don’t assume frustration means failure. Often, it’s just France being France.
- Keep hard copies of every official document. You’ll need them again.
- Learn the basics of formal French—it makes a big difference in admin settings.
Final Checklist
- Stay organized, stay patient, and build your life in France
- Choose a location aligned with your lifestyle and goals
- Secure a visa (see French Visa Guide)
- Set up housing, insurance, and banking before you arrive
- Validate your visa and complete OFII steps
- Apply for health coverage and social services
- Integrate into your local community—language, school, transport
Moving to France Glossary
| Term (English) | French Translation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dossier | Dossier | A collection of documents (ID, proof of income, visa/residency status, etc.) used for rental applications and other administrative processes. |
| PUMA | Protection Universelle Maladie | The French health insurance card is issued once you’re enrolled in the public healthcare system and is used to streamline medical reimbursements. |
| CPAM | Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie | The local agency managing PUMA applications and other health insurance benefits. |
| Carte Vitale | Carte Vitale | Your French health insurance card is issued once you’re enrolled in the public healthcare system and is used to streamline medical reimbursements. |
| Mairie | Mairie | The town hall where you register your residence and access local government services. |
| OFII | Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration | The governmental office responsible for validating long-stay visas (VLS-TS) and organizing integration sessions for new arrivals. |
| VLS-TS | Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour | A long-stay visa that also serves as a temporary residence permit, requiring validation within three months of arrival. |
| Mutuelle | Mutuelle | A supplementary health insurance plan that covers the portion of medical costs not reimbursed by the state system (typically around 30%). |
| Profession Libérale | Profession Libérale | A status for self-employed professionals in regulated fields; used by those who work independently in fields such as consulting or healthcare. |
| Micro-entrepreneur | Micro-entrepreneur | A simplified self-employment status in France, ideal for freelancers or small business owners with limited turnover. |
| CAF | Caisse d’Allocations Familiales | A government body that provides family benefits, including housing aid, for eligible residents. |
| ANTS | Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés | The agency responsible for issuing secure documents like driver’s licenses and identity cards; used for processes like exchanging your driver’s license. |
| FATCA | Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act | A U.S. law requiring foreign banks to report information on accounts held by U.S. citizens; relevant for American Expats opening French bank accounts. |
| “Bienvenue en France” program | « Bienvenue en France » | A local integration initiative that offers language courses, cultural orientation, and other support to new residents. |
| Smart Villages | Villages intelligents | Rural communities equipped with high-speed internet, subsidized coworking spaces, and digital infrastructure aimed at attracting remote workers and families. |
| SELoger, PAP, LeBonCoin, Lodgis | SELoger, PAP, LeBonCoin, Lodgis | Popular property search platforms in France used by Expats to find rental or purchase opportunities. |
| Taxe d’habitation | Taxe d’habitation | A local housing tax once applied to primary residences (now abolished) but still applicable to secondary homes. |
| Talent Passport | Passeport Talent | A residence permit for highly skilled workers, enabling easier entry and stay in France for certain professionals. |
