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Your first-month checklist
- Confirm whether you need a long-stay visa (EU/EEA/Swiss = no, most others = yes) ;
- Open a French bank account to obtain an IBAN — required for utilities, rent and salary ;
- Find accommodation, sign the bail and document the état des lieux ;
- Activate electricity, gas and broadband — Selectra's English-speaking line: 09 87 67 37 93 ;
- Apply for your Carte Vitale through Ameli to access subsidised healthcare.
Explore the moving guides
Each topic below has a dedicated hub with detailed step-by-step guides. Use this page as your starting point and dive into whichever section matches your current concern.
Settling In
Visas, residence cards, ANEF portal, country-specific guides for the UK, US, Canada, Australia.
Housing
Renting, buying, the bail, the état des lieux, APL housing benefits.
Utilities
Electricity, gas, water, broadband — what to prepare and the English-speaking helplines.
Healthcare
PUMa, Carte Vitale, EHIC, hospitals, mutuelle and English-speaking healthcare.
Working
Work permits, French employment law, finding a job, freelance and self-employment.
Taxes
Income tax, prélèvement à la source, social charges, property tax, VAT, treaties.
Education
School system, public vs private vs international, universities, Erasmus, back-to-school.
Driving
Foreign licences, French permit, road rules, buying a used car, ZFE Crit'Air.
French Culture
Greetings, vous vs tu, table manners, food, public holidays, learning French.
Phone Numbers
Emergency numbers, English-speaking helplines, dialling from abroad.
Before You Arrive: Visas and Paperwork
Whether a visa is needed depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay. Stays under 90 days within any 180-day period typically only need a Schengen short-stay visa or a passport for visa-exempt nationalities. Anything longer requires a long-stay visa.
Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can move freely without a visa or residence card. Citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican are also exempt. Everyone else — including UK citizens since Brexit — needs a long-stay visa for stays over three months.
A long-stay visa (VLS-TS) typically applies if you fall into one of these categories:
- Already employed by a French company on a contract of one year or more ;
- A temporary worker on a contract of three to twelve months ;
- A scientific researcher, artist or holder of a Talent Passport ;
- A student or intern enrolled in a French institution ;
- The spouse of a French citizen or of a foreign national legally settled in France ;
- A long-stay visitor with sufficient means and private health cover.
For the full list and the latest fees, the official source is france-visas.gouv.fr. For walkthroughs by nationality, see our country guides for the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
Renewing your residence permit
Most VLS-TS visas are valid for one year. To stay longer, apply for a renewable residence permit (titre de séjour) at least two months before expiry, through the ANEF online portal. After five years of continuous residence you can apply for a 10-year carte de résident, and after ten years for a permanent card.
Working in France
Non-EU citizens generally need an employment contract signed before applying for a work-authorising visa. Start the visa process early — it takes several months. Some nationalities under 30 (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina and others) can apply for a Working Holiday Visa, valid 12 months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the country list. For employment law and salaries, see our guide to working in France.
Opening a French Bank Account
A French bank account is the keystone of expat life. You need a French IBAN to set up direct debits for rent, utilities, broadband, taxes and to receive a salary. Online banks (Boursorama, Hello bank!, Revolut, N26) are usually faster and cheaper than traditional banks for newcomers.
Banks typically ask for the following documents (Boursorama, Hello bank!, Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, etc.) :
- A valid passport or national ID card ;
- Your visa or residence permit if you are not an EU citizen ;
- Proof of French address (an energy bill, a rental contract or an attestation from your landlord) — the blocker for newcomers ;
- Proof of income or status (employment contract, payslips, student card) ;
- A birth certificate, sometimes requested by traditional banks.
Online banks accept fully digital onboarding. Traditional banks usually require an in-branch appointment. Account activation takes a day or two ; the debit card and chequebook arrive within 7–10 days. For a full comparison, see our banking in France hub.
Finding a Home in France
Listings live on SeLoger, LeBonCoin, PAP (no agency fees) and through estate agents (agences immobilières). In Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and other tense markets, expect competition: a complete dossier ready to send the same day is the difference between getting and losing a flat.
As a rule, never send money before signing a contract. Scams targeting new arrivals — fake landlords abroad asking for a deposit by transfer — are common.
The rental dossier
A standard tenant dossier usually includes:
- A copy of your passport or ID ;
- Three most recent payslips and the last two tax returns ;
- Your employment contract and an employer attestation ;
- A copy of your French RIB (bank details) ;
- Proof that your monthly net income is at least three times the rent.
If your profile is atypical — student, freelancer, fresh arrival without French payslips — landlords often require a garant (guarantor). Without a French guarantor in your network, the Visale public scheme is free, and private services like Garantme accept international profiles for a fee.
The bail and état des lieux
The bail (lease) is governed by the law of 6 July 1989. Standard duration is three years for an empty flat and one year furnished. The deposit is capped at one month's rent for empty flats and two months for furnished. Before signing, you and the landlord must complete a detailed état des lieux (inventory of fixtures), photographed and signed by both parties — this document determines whether your deposit is refunded at the end of the tenancy.
You have one month after move-in (10 days for furnished) to add overlooked defects, plus the heating period for any heating issue. For a full walkthrough — including bilingual templates — see our dedicated guide to the état des lieux.
Home insurance and local taxes
Home insurance (assurance habitation) is compulsory by law for tenants. Most basic policies cover fire, water damage, theft, broken windows and third-party liability. The taxe d'habitation was abolished for primary residences in 2023 — only second homes still pay it. The taxe foncière, paid by the owner, remains. For more, see our housing hub and property taxes guide.
Activating Utilities and Broadband
Once you have a French address, IBAN and phone number, the rest of the setup falls into place quickly. Electricity, gas, water and broadband each need a contract opened in your name. Plan to start the process at least two weeks before move-in — particularly if the previous tenant has cut the supply.
Electricity and gas
The grid is operated by Enedis for electricity and GRDF for gas — both are distribution-only and not your point of contact. To have supply, you open an account with a supplier of your choice. EDF remains the historic incumbent but is not the cheapest. Alternative suppliers (TotalEnergies, Engie, ekWateur and many others) often offer better rates. The regulated gas tariff was abolished in 2023.
Broadband and mobile
The four main French operators are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free. Bundling broadband with a mobile plan typically saves €5–15 per month. Internet boxes are shipped within 7–10 days of subscription. A French IBAN is required.
English-speaking helpline · Free callback available
Set up your contracts in English with Selectra
Selectra's English-speaking advisors compare every supplier on the market and open the contract in your name, free of charge. Have your French address, IBAN and phone number ready before calling.
Energy line: Mon–Fri 8 am–9 pm, Sat 8:30 am–6:30 pm, Sun 9 am–6 pm. Broadband line: Mon–Fri 9:30 am–7:30 pm. Or get a free callback.
For a step-by-step walkthrough including water, propane and waste collection, see our utilities setup guide.
Healthcare and the Carte Vitale
France runs a hybrid public–private system. After three months of stable residence, you qualify for PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie), which gives access to the same level of healthcare as French nationals. The Sécurité Sociale typically reimburses 70% of GP visits and 80% of hospital fees ; the remaining 20–30% is usually covered by a top-up insurance called mutuelle complémentaire.
Once your PUMa application is processed, you receive a temporary health attestation and, a few months later, your physical Carte Vitale. To find an English-speaking doctor, Doctolib lets you filter by language. Ameli runs an English-speaking helpline at 09 74 75 36 46 (Mon–Fri 8:30 am–5 pm). Full process and documents in our Carte Vitale guide.
Driving in France
EU/EEA driving licences remain valid in France indefinitely. Non-EU licences are valid for one year after you become resident — after that, you must exchange yours for a French permit if your home country has a reciprocal agreement, or take the French driving test if not. Carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) on top of a non-EU licence is recommended in the first months.
Speed limits in 2026 : 130 km/h on motorways (110 in rain), 110 on dual carriageways, 80 or 90 on rural roads (varies by département since 2018), 50 in built-up areas (often 30 in residential zones). Alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L (0.2 g/L for new drivers). Many city centres now require a Crit'Air sticker. For everything else — buying a used car, ANTS procedures, road equipment — see our driving in France hub.
French Admin Glossary
A short reference for the French terms you'll meet most often during your first months in France:
| French term | English translation |
|---|---|
| Visa de long séjour | Long-stay visa |
| Titre de séjour | Residence permit |
| Préfecture | Local government office for residence permits |
| RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) | Bank details (incl. IBAN and BIC) |
| Bail | Rental lease |
| Loyer | Rent |
| Charges | Communal building expenses, often included in rent |
| Garant | Guarantor for the lease |
| État des lieux | Inventory of fixtures at move-in/out |
| Caution / Dépôt de garantie | Security deposit |
| Sans engagement | Contract-free (typically for mobile/broadband) |
| Sécurité sociale | Public health and social security system |
| Mutuelle | Top-up health insurance |
Building French up to a working level pays off quickly. Our guide to learning French covers what level you actually need for daily life and which methods work fastest.