Here's some quick facts about France:
Thinking of moving to France from the United States? Discover everything you need to know in our Ultimate France Relocation Guide.
Planning a relocation to France from the USA? You're joining a vibrant community! Each year, thousands of Americans choose France as their new home, drawn by its exceptional quality of life, rich cultural heritage, and enviable lifestyle. Whether you're shipping luggage to France or planning every detail of your move, thorough preparation makes all the difference.
France consistently ranks among the world's most desirable destinations for American expats, offering an unbeatable combination of career opportunities, world-renowned cuisine, excellent healthcare, and unparalleled cultural experiences. From Paris's artistic sophistication to Lyon's gastronomic delights, from Provence's Mediterranean charm to the French Alps' natural splendor, France provides Americans with a diverse living experience that balances professional growth with lifestyle enrichment.
This ultimate relocation guide will walk you through every essential aspect of moving to France from the United States, from visa requirements to settling into daily life. Whether you're planning to work, study, start a business, or simply embrace the French art of living, we'll provide you with the practical insights needed to make your transition as smooth as possible.
This ultimate guide covers all the essential aspects of relocating to France from the United States, including:
We hope this guide both inspires and informs you. As individual circumstances vary, we strongly recommend conducting your own research alongside this guide to ensure your move from the US to France goes smoothly. The information provided, including any costs or procedures, is indicative and correct at the time of publication. Over time and with economic and political changes, and even your own circumstances, these can change.
Here's some quick facts about France:
I want to move to France, where do I get started? This is one of the most common questions aspiring American expats ask. Moving to France made simple starts with understanding the visa system and securing the appropriate residence permit for your situation. The best way to relocate to France depends on your circumstances - whether you're moving for work, studies, retirement, or family reunification - but proper preparation is always essential.
The first step is determining which visa category suits your needs, as this forms the foundation of your relocation. France offers numerous pathways including work visas, the prestigious Talent Passport for skilled professionals, entrepreneur visas, and visitor visas for those with passive income. Once your paperwork is sorted, you can focus on the practical side - shipping your belongings to France, finding accommodation (ideally starting with short-term rentals while you explore different regions), and setting up essentials like health insurance, bank accounts, and address registration.
It's highly beneficial to research different regions ahead of time to see which ones suit your lifestyle - whether you prefer Paris's cosmopolitan energy, Lyon's economic dynamism, Bordeaux's wine country charm, or the Côte d'Azur's Mediterranean lifestyle. By handling these key details early, from flights to finances, you'll make your move smoother and give yourself more time to settle into your new life in France.
Yes, as an American planning to relocate to France for more than 90 days, you'll need the appropriate long-stay visa (visa de long séjour). US citizens can visit France visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement, but any stay beyond this requires a visa. Choosing the correct visa is crucial to your moving process, and starting early gives you ample time to gather documents and meet all requirements.
The type of visa depends entirely on your circumstances. Your options vary depending on whether you're moving for employment, to study, to join family members, to start a business, to work as a freelancer, or to live as a visitor with passive income.
Some of the most common visas for Americans include the French Work Visa (Travailleur Salarié) for employees, the Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) for highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs, the EU Blue Card for qualified professionals, the Visitor Visa for those with sufficient passive income, and student visas for higher education. Other categories cover seasonal workers, intra-company transfers, and working holiday visas for young Americans aged 18-35.
Visa applications can take several weeks to months to process, so applying well before your intended relocation date is strongly recommended. Always check the official France-Visas portal or speak with a qualified immigration advisor to ensure your application is up to date and complete.
Requirements for residing, studying, and working in France through the French Government.
When relocating to France from the USA, it's essential to look beyond visas and moving logistics to fully understand daily life in this diverse nation. From France's excellent healthcare system to navigating its bureaucratic processes, many key factors influence how successfully you settle in. Whether you're moving to France for work, to start a business, to study, or for family reasons, these are the most common topics Americans explore when planning their new French life.
France offers outstanding quality of life for American retirees, featuring world-class healthcare, pleasant climates (especially in the south), rich culture, and a relaxed lifestyle. Americans retiring to France apply for the Visitor Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour Visiteur), requiring proof of stable passive income from pensions, Social Security, 401(k) withdrawals, or investments, plus comprehensive health insurance. Initially, American retirees purchase private insurance before accessing the French social security system after establishing residency.
France actively encourages American entrepreneurship in tech, innovation, and creative sectors. Visa options for Americans include the Talent Passport for business creation and the French Tech Visa for startup founders and investors. American applicants must present viable business plans, demonstrate sufficient capital, and show how their business benefits the French economy. The business environment offers Americans access to the EU's second-largest economy and skilled workforce, though navigating French bureaucracy and taxation systems is required.
France's diverse job market spans finance, technology, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, luxury goods, tourism, and agriculture—offering excellent opportunities for Americans moving to France for work. French work culture emphasizes work-life balance with a legal 35-hour work week, minimum five weeks of annual vacation (significantly more than typical US standards), and strong employment protections. Salaries vary by region and sector, with Paris offering the highest wages but also the highest living costs. For Americans working in France, understanding French workplace culture, formal hierarchies, and language expectations ensures smooth career integration.
France's healthcare system ranks among the world's best—a significant upgrade for many Americans. Health insurance is compulsory for all residents moving to France from the USA. Public coverage (Sécurité sociale) reimburses approximately 70% of medical costs, complemented by private mutuelle insurance covering remaining expenses. Healthcare quality is exceptional, with short waiting times, freedom to choose doctors, and comprehensive coverage for medications, hospital stays, and preventive care. English-speaking doctors are common in major cities, though French language skills help throughout the country.
French public education is free and high-quality, with a rigorous academic system culminating in the prestigious Baccalauréat exam. American families relocating to France often choose international schools in Paris and major cities, offering familiar curricula including IB, British, and American programs. French universities offer exceptionally low tuition for non-EU students including Americans, with increasing numbers of English-taught programs at postgraduate level, making France an attractive destination for American students.
France's housing market varies dramatically by region—Paris and major cities command premium prices, while smaller towns and rural areas offer excellent value for Americans. Renting in France requires financial proof (typically 3x monthly rent), employment contracts, tax returns if available, and comprehensive references. Americans can buy property in France with equal rights and no ownership restrictions, though additional costs include notary fees, property taxes, and annual taxes foncières. Note that property ownership doesn't grant residency rights; Americans planning extended stays need appropriate visas or residence permits.
France's cost of living varies significantly by region, generally comparable to major US coastal cities. Paris rivals New York or San Francisco in expenses, while provincial cities and rural areas offer substantial savings for Americans relocating to France. Typical monthly expenses include housing, food and groceries, transportation (public transport passes or vehicle costs), mutuelle health insurance, utilities, and internet/mobile services. Americans should research specific regions to understand local cost variations when planning their move to France.
France offers excellent road infrastructure and scenic driving routes, though robust public transportation in cities reduces car ownership necessity. Americans can legally drive in France using their US driver's license for one year after establishing residency, then must exchange it for a French license—requirements vary by state, with some allowing simple exchange while others require testing. Vehicle insurance is mandatory in France. France's extensive highway network (autoroutes) requires tolls, while national and departmental roads remain free. Parking in cities can be expensive and challenging. France drives on the right side of the road, the same as in the United States.
Opening a French bank account requires proof of residence (utility bill or rental contract), valid passport, proof of US address, and sometimes proof of income. Major French banks include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, and LCL, while online banks like Boursorama and Hello Bank offer streamlined accounts with fewer requirements. France operates a progressive income tax system with social charges applied in addition to income tax. France's impatriate tax regime offers qualifying American expats tax exemptions on salary premiums for expatriation costs, plus partial exemptions on certain foreign-source income for up to 8 years under specific conditions. Importantly, Americans living in France must continue filing US tax returns annually and report foreign bank accounts (FBAR) and foreign assets (FATCA) to remain compliant with IRS requirements.
France's public transportation system is excellent, particularly in cities. Paris features extensive metro, RER, tram, and bus networks providing comprehensive coverage. Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and other major French cities offer integrated metro, tram, and bus systems with affordable monthly passes. France's national railway (SNCF) operates high-speed TGV trains connecting major cities rapidly—Paris to Lyon takes just 2 hours, Paris to Marseille 3 hours, and Paris to Bordeaux 2 hours. Regional trains (TER) serve smaller towns affordably. France's central European location enables easy travel to neighboring Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Germany via convenient international train connections.
French is the official language throughout France. While English is increasingly spoken in Paris and major tourist areas, learning French dramatically improves integration, career prospects, and daily life quality for Americans moving to France. Most residence permit renewals require French language proficiency certification at A2 level (B1 for permanent residence cards—carte de résident), with the TCF IRN (Test de Connaissance du Français pour l'Intégration, la Résidence et la Nationalité) being the accepted standardized test. French culture emphasizes art, literature, cinema, cuisine, fashion, relationships, and quality of life (art de vivre). Understanding French etiquette—including formal greetings, business punctuality, and leisurely meal traditions—significantly aids social integration for Americans accustomed to more casual US social norms.
Getting to France from the USA is straightforward with numerous direct flights available from major American gateway cities on both the East and West Coasts. Major French international airports include Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris Orly (ORY), Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS), Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), and Marseille Provence (MRS), all offering direct transatlantic service from US cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. Flight times range from 7-9 hours from East Coast cities to 10-12 hours from West Coast departures, making France highly accessible for Americans relocating.
If you're planning to bring your pets when moving to France, it's certainly possible, though France has strict import regulations to prevent rabies and protect animal welfare. Careful preparation and advance planning are essential.
Most Americans relocate with dogs, cats, or ferrets, though requirements depend on animal type, country of origin, pet's age, and veterinary documentation. Key requirements typically include an ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit, implanted before rabies vaccination), valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel for primary vaccination), EU Pet Passport or official veterinary health certificate, and anti-Echinococcus treatment for dogs from certain countries (administered 1-5 days before entry).
France has regulations regarding certain breeds classified as dangerous, divided into two categories with varying restrictions. Category 1 dogs (certain pit bull types, mastiffs, tosa) face strict import bans, while Category 2 dogs require registration and specific handling. Research requirements carefully before relocating. For the most current information, check directly with French Customs - Travelling to France with Your Pet.
Finding reliable international moving services to France from the USA can be challenging. Moving personal belongings to France traditionally meant relying on expensive international removal companies with lengthy timelines. Today, My Baggage offers a faster, more affordable alternative by using air freight courier services, ensuring your items reach France quickly and securely.
Whether you're shipping luggage, sending boxes, transporting golf clubs, or moving bicycles to France, My Baggage provides a reliable door-to-door international removals service with full online tracking and dedicated customer support. From a few bags to larger shipments, their service ensures your belongings are handled with care and arrive safely, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.
My Baggage specializes in shipping personal belongings to France from the USA, offering a great alternative to paying excess baggage fees with airlines, making it an excellent choice for your move to France.
