Moving to France can be a very exciting time but it can be a logistical roller coaster ride at the same time. From booking flights to arranging the right visas and setting up your life in your new home, it can be an exhausting challenge. We’ve put together a checklist to ensure all your bases are covered so your relocation to France is as painless as possible.
Visas & Work Permits
Before you start looking at airfares to France, you need to make sure you have the right visa. Most countries have an understanding with France so you should be able to stay in France without a visa for 90 days. However, if you plan on staying longer you should check with the French Consulate closest to you for accurate details on visa conditions. Also, if you plan on working in France you will need to make inquiries about obtaining the right working permit or visa. You may be lucky enough to already be working with a company with an international presence that will allow you to transfer to France, but if you don’t, you should start looking at employment platforms to see what jobs are available in France.
Parlez-vous français?
Many people in France are quite fluent when it comes to speaking English, especially in Paris and other major centers where tourists tend to flock, but you should still consider taking a French language course or, at the very least, use a language app to learn some basic French. Even knowing a little French will help you integrate into the local scenery more easily and your French counterparts will appreciate your effort which will improve your social life. Besides, learning a new language is always a good idea.
Basic Necessities
There are some things you will need as soon as you hit the shores of France and others you can take care of when you get there. Healthcare should always be on your list of priorities as even the healthiest people can get sick or injured and you don’t want to rack up medical debt in an expensive place like France. While you may be able to arrange medical insurance if you find a job in France, this may not be immediately available to you. Play it safe and get some travel insurance for a few months and this should tide you over until you can sign up for a policy with your job or make other arrangements.
Some of the other essential services you will need to include are a telecommunications service for your smartphone and internet service to your apartment as well as other utilities such as electricity, water and gas, a local bank account and a place to live.
Accommodation
Finding a place to live is essential and it’s important to find the right accommodation for your needs that is also within your budget. You can choose from studio apartments, one or more bedrooms, furnished and more. A good online platform will offer filters that will allow you to narrow down your search which will make it infinitely easier to rent an apartment in France.
Familiarize Yourself with Your New Surroundings
The first few days of your life in France may be a little overwhelming but this feeling won’t last long if you get out and do a little exploring. Getting to know your neighborhood by visiting local stores, eating lunch in a local park and seeing what other locals are doing are a great way to get started but you can also find local communities of expats who have already faced the challenges of moving to France. These people will quickly become your best friends and will be a wealth of information to tap into.
Before you start planning your move, take note of some of the tips but also think of what you think will help you. Everyone’s experience is different and with a little effort, you can make your transition to the land of fine dining and culture into an unforgettable experience.
