Moving to France Checklist and Top 10 Tips for Settling in Successfully

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“Fail to plan, plan to fail” goes the saying. Organisation and preparation are key when it comes to a move, and here Selectra has compiled a step-by-step timeline and guide to help make your move from any country to France a success.

With so many things on your mind when you plan a move, it can be very helpful to have a Moving to France Checklist to make sure you don't forget anything, and get through this exciting yet stressful process in the most peaceful conditions. It is thus useful to take note of all the tasks to deal with, in chronological order.

Printable Moving to France Checklist (pdf)

1- General preliminary moving steps

Note that, in conjunction to the list below, you should also take care of the general processes which come with any move regardless of the place of relocation.

These include, but aren't limited to:

  • Informing your landlord well ahead of time of your depart (if applicable)
  • Sorting out your move with a removal company
  • Notifying important organisations of your move: your workplace, your children's school, your utility suppliers, insurance companies, government bodies, bank, health institutions...
  • Taking care of your mail redirection

2- Sort out your French Visa / resident permit

As soon as possible

First of all, it is important to note that some nationalities require a French visa or residence permit to live in France for more than 3 months, so make sure to check whether you need a reside. There are 2 main types of French Visas: those of short stays and other for long stays. On top of this, the French Law divides the French territory into 3 categories, where different rules will apply.

Note that in some cases, in addition to a visa or resident permit, you may also need to find a job in France before your move and be able to provide proof of employment to the French Authorities.

3- Sort out your accommodation in France

3 to 6 months before

house-france

Whether buying or renting a place to live in France, starting your research early is always recommended. Indeed, whether you are looking for an apartment or a house, finding somewhere to live is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of moving to France. This said, by keeping your options open and preparing adequately, you will put your chances on your side and avoid the stress of finding a place to call home.

There are many ways to proceed to search for a home in France:

  • By looking up on websites such as Le Bon Coin, Appartager, SeLoger, Particulier à Particulier or French Property.
  • Through agencies, newspapers, bulletins boards or just by visiting the area
  • On dedicated social media groups, such as the many France housing groups on Facebook - for instance, search for "Logement Paris" to find plenty of flatsharing, renting and selling opportunity in the capital.
  • For students, you can check out the Campus France and CNOUS websites to find student accommodation and housing advice.

Check out this article dedicated to Buying a French property.

Note that some markets are very competitive and saturated, such as rentals in Paris, so be prepared to do quite a lot of scouring. Reaching out to an agency, although this may incur extra costs, can increase your chances of finding a house or apartment in the capital quicker.

4- Prepare your important documents

A week before

Don’t forget to bring along your important papers! Here are the main documents to bring to France, depending on which apply to you:

  • Visa
  • Passport/ID
  • Driving license
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage or PACS certificate
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  • Private health insurance documents
  • Relevant medical documents
  • Vaccination documents
  • Tax returns over the past 2 years
  • Car registration and insurance documents
  • Any relevant qualifications/diplomas

5- Set up a bank account in France

Upon arrival

bank-france

Holding a French bank account can be very useful, especially for paying bills or rent. You will for instance need a French RIB in order to open a French phone contract, or open your electricity meter.

The day of your meeting at the bank, be sure to bring the following documents with you:

  • Your passport / ID
  • Proof of French address (this can be a housing contract, a phone or electricity bill if you already have one...)
  • Visa or residence permit if applicable

The process can be completed within the same day. After that, you will be able to obtain your French bank card and a cheque book within the next 7 to 10 days.

Because of the delay between opening an account and receiving your bank card, it may be useful to bring some euros with you, in order not to be out of cash during your first week in France.

Note that you may even be able to open an account before you move, depending on the bank you choose.

6- Register with the French authorities

Within 3 months of arrival

You will have to register with the French authorities, regardless of your nationality. If you hold a long-stay visa, you also need to register with the Office Français de l‘Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII) within the 3 months of your arrival.

Because the process takes a long time, and requires several steps such as a medical exam and an interview, it is advisable to start the process as soon as possible.

7- Sort out a French healthcare scheme

Upon arrival

car-france

Health insurance is mandatory to access the French healthcare system. To be covered by the state French health insurance (Sécurité Sociale), you will need to register with the CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie), else you can take out a private health insurance.

Make sure to register with all your relevant health specialists. Note that, in France, you have to nominate one doctor as your referring professional, who will oversee your health and manage your medical record.

When choosing your GP, you can consider getting advice from friends or colleagues, or find a lists of doctors near you on the CPAM’s online directory.

8- Set up your utilities in France

Upon arrival

If you are moving into a new home, you will be in charge of setting up utilities and gas or electricity in your name, even if there is still energy in the house when you arrive.

Just note that meter opening rates are regulated and depend only on the response time desired by the customer - not the supplier. As of August 2020, in France it will cost you €16,79 for an electricity meter and €19,39 for a gas meter for opening in standard time, which is within 5 working days.

It is worth signing on for a French phone plan, as these are typically fairly cheap and having a French number will be very useful for any administrative processes. As for setting up Internet in France, you can easily get hold of a plan as providers and offers are plentiful and competitive on the French market.

Set up all your home contracts at once with an English-speaking advisor!You can call Selectra at 09 87 67 37 93 to set up electricity - open a gas account AND/OR subscribe to a phone and internet plan in France in minutes. You can also ask for a free callback.

9- Understand and pay French taxes

Upon arrival

The day after you arrive in France as a French resident, your status as a tax resident becomes effective. Be sure to request your French tax return form and register with your area’s tax office on the official government website.

10- Sort out your driving and transportation in France

Within the first month

Driving in France

car-france

When it comes to driving in France, you can bring your car along with you, but this will imply getting a certificate of conformity for it as well as a carte grise (vehicle registration document), which can be quite expensive. The registration process is done online, via ants.gouv.fr

Note that to get insurance, you may need to convert it to a French driving licence, or even retake the test depending on where you passed it originally. EU licences will be valid in France, but non-EU licences will have to be changed after a year and need an official French translation.

You can also rent a car in France - more info about that in this other guide.

Public transport in France

Many French cities have well developed public transportation networks, from trams to metros, trains and buses, all of which are quite affordable.

Start by doing some research on the transports available in your city, and if possible, subscribe to a transport pass to get preferential rates on the long run. For instance, in Paris, you can get hold of the Pass Navigo, which will give you unlimited access to the Parisian metro network in exchange of a fixed monthly payment.

Also look out for the SNCF (the national trainline operator) youth passes if you are under 27, as these can help you save a lot on your train rides.