How long does it take to get residency in France?
How long does it take to get residency in France? Moving to France is not easy. This section will help you navigate the customs process.
Moving to France for EU citizens
EU citizens can pass customs duty-free if they have the proper paperwork. You will need to pay VAT and tax on all your items if you move to France outside the EU. This authorization process can take up to one month and must be completed before you arrive in France.
We know that moving with family also involves pets, so we recommend this section if you plan to move to France with pets. This section covers everything you need to do to ensure your pet is ready to roll. A pet passport or non-commercial EU health certification from a veterinarian may be required. You should also know that the regulations regarding pet immigration can change depending on where you’re coming from and what kind of animal you’re bringing. France bans Staffordshire terriers, Pitbulls, Tosas, and Mastiffs with no pedigree.
This section contains essential information about the French vaccination requirements. You may need specific vaccinations depending on where you are coming from. To ensure you have the latest Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations, consult your doctor in advance. You may need to administer some of these in multiple doses or over a specific period. Make sure you are well-informed.
New travel regulations in France
If you’re a Canadian traveling in 2022, you’ll need nothing more than your valid biometric passport to travel to France. If you’re traveling in 2025 or beyond, however, you’ll need to submit an ETIAS application before your scheduled trip.
France is a Schengen country, and tourists who are planning to visit France from Canada in November 2025 or later will need to submit an application for pre-authorization through an ETIAS visa waiver. Rest assured that while submitting an ETIAS application will add an extra step to your travel prep, it’s not a major task. The form is short and easy to understand, and it should help the in-person pre-screening step go more smoothly.
Visa types and Work Requirements
It can be difficult if you don’t know how to find work in France. Our guide will help you navigate the process. For example, sending a translated version of your CV in French is a good idea when applying for a job. There are different types of visas in France, and each of them gives you different possibilities. This could help you land an appointment with a higher salary than the average French salary of 3,000 EUR gross or 2,250 EUR for a full-time private-sector employee. You can also look forward to France’s high-quality social security benefits once you are employed.
This section also covers French business culture. It is conservative with a strong emphasis on hierarchy. We also provide information on how to start a micro-enterprise in France to ensure that your income is recognized and tax ID numbers are obtained at the social security bureau.
Find your home in France.
The majority of French people rent rather than purchase their accommodation. Expats will love the variety of rental options available, including houses in rural areas and apartments in cities. If you don’t want to take your household items with you, you can find furnished apartments and houses in France. Although furnished apartments are more common, they can be pretty old. Unfurnished properties offer excellent legal protection and a shorter minimum lease, usually three years.
This section will help ex-pats looking for housing in France. It includes information about the average rent and how to arrange your utilities. You will also find many tips and tricks on renting in larger cities like Paris. It can take several months to find your place away from home. It is wise to book a short-term rental before moving so that you have enough time to find the perfect property.
Tourists traveling to France are safe and secure. There are many security measures that have been strengthened throughout France. Please take the time to learn about them before you travel.
This guide will help you learn how to purchase a French house as a foreigner. It also includes information about the average prices of housing in France. Because many agents go on vacation in August, May to July is the best month for house hunting in France. It is best to avoid looking for a property in a university city from September to October. The French housing market is slow during the Christmas season.
The Healthcare System and Health Insurance in France
Before you get residency in France, you must be aware of healthcare and health insurance news in France. This section of our guide will explain the French healthcare system, one of the most advanced in the world. This is crucial to know, as legal residents and non-residents can join regardless of their employment status. It may take several months for you to be able to access public healthcare. To make up for the difference, consider purchasing private French health insurance. You will be eligible for the European Health Insurance Card, which reduces hospital costs in the European Union once you have joined the French healthcare system.
Both the individual and the state fund the hybrid French healthcare system. On average, 70% of the costs are covered by the state. Prescription medicine purchased from a pharmacy could be eligible for reimbursement of 15-100%, depending on its necessity. This section covers, among other things, how to locate a doctor in France and give birth in France. Did you know that France covers all medical expenses during pregnancy? Mothers of new babies are guaranteed at least eight weeks of maternity leaves.
This comprehensive guide will help you open a bank account and manage your taxes.
It is easy to open a bank account in France thanks to the popularity and ease of accessing online banks and international banks. An ex-pat who is not a resident of France can open a non-resident bank account. However, ex-pats who are residents will have more banking options.
BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole are the best French banks. They have multiple branches all over France. Credit Mutuel and Societe Generale are some examples. A no-fee account is the best option for those under 26. It is sometimes possible to open one in certain branches.
France’s ex-pats are required to pay income taxes. France has a minimum 30% tax rate on non-residents’ income. France’s VAT rate is 20%. This is higher than the OECD average but lower than some European countries, like the Scandinavian countries. The Banks and Taxes section will help you understand France’s tax and banking system details.
FAQ
Can you buy a residency in France?
An investment in a French passport is not an option. However, the country has a residence permit program. The residence permit program is open to investors over 18 years old with a source of income that is official and without a criminal record.
Can I live in France permanently?
You can still apply for French Residency if you arrive in France in 2023 (on a long-stay visitor visa).
How much do I need to invest in France to get residency?
You must meet the following cumulative criteria: you create, protect, or commit to creating jobs within the next four years. You invest or are committing to invest at a minimum of EUR300,000 in tangible or intangible assets.
What is a golden visa in France?
France offers an Entrepreneur Visa to foreign business owners who invest a sufficient amount of capital in start-ups. Francois Hollande, President of France, announced the program in April 2013.
How can I live in France for 5 years?
The majority of French standard residence permits are valid for one year and can be renewed for an additional five years. After five years of continuous residence in France, you can apply for a 10-year long-term renewable permit (carte d’ resident). There are certain requirements that you must meet, depending on your personal circumstances.