To illustrate this post on moving to France, I've chosen some of my travel photos from various regions, to entice you.
In a post last month, we tried to answer the question, "Should you/could you move to France?", with lots of good help from our readers. Here's what to do next if your answer is oui. Even if you're just going for a few months, you'll find some helpful info here (this is principally for Americans, but other expats should find some good info here as well).
Alors. You've narrowed down your region. You've hopefully met a few folks in the area, and maybe even found that "angel" we talked about. You've brushed up on--or started-- your French study. You've rented somewhere to live, at least for the short term. Hopefully you are tuned in to helpful websites like The Local, The Connexion, Expatica, etc. Let's get packing!
(Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on this stuff, and rules change all the time. This is meant only as an overview--you'll need to do your own homework!)
First up, you'll need a visa.
Before you arrive you'll need a long-term visa, which will last for 6 months and which you must get in the States. When you get to France, you should start working on the process of getting a Carte de Séjour, with the préfecture in your département. Go to the website of your local préfecture for full info, and much of it can be done online. This is basically a year-long visa, which has to be renewed annually for 5 years, at which point you'll be eligible for a 10-year visa. With the 10-year visa, you will be also be eligible to work in France (note: if you want to work the first five years, there are different visas/rules. There's a good article on this subject in Complete France).
I wish I could tell you the Carte de Séjour process will be easy. But taking on the pesky French bureaucracy never is. ALWAYS make copies of everything and tuck these documents away in a file. Some you can even copy, change the date, and re-use.
Now, about that driver's license you'll be needing. You have a year to get one.
Eighteen US states have reciprocity--lucky you if you're a resident of one!-- meaning you just have to exchange your US driver's license for a French one and you're done. (It MUST be done in the first year!). Without reciprocity, you're going to have to hand over some cash and take a driving test, in French, which requires some serious study. (Pro Tip: note that you must turn over your US license to the French. If you want to keep both, go to the DMZ when in the States, before it expires, and tell them you've lost yours).
Américaine in France has a current article on the subject. There is also a good facebook page devoted to the subject.
Taxes: This is a complex subject. If you stay longer than 6 months you become a French fiscal resident and you are obligated to file French taxes in addition to your US taxes. You might want to start with this site, The Good Life France, they have an article on US taxes here. Ma French Life has a good article as well.There is a French/US tax treaty which governs all this. There is a wealth tax you should know about, if it applies to you.
There is a great facebook group my husband found called Strictly Fiscal France, which is all and only about taxes, insurance, and finances for UK and American expats. They have put together some guides on various topics. Kristin Espinasse of the French Word-A-Day blog has a great post on getting reasonably priced help with US tax filing from abroad.
If you're a subscriber, try this article from the Wall Street Journal on the subject.
Health care: The French health care system is excellent. Our only complaint is that it can take some time to get in to see a specialist--shortages abound. But a good GP can take care of most things, and get you in to a specialist in an emergency.
You will need health insurance of course. You can purchase special international policies for this. They will not be exorbitant because French health care is astonishingly cheaper than in the US. Sadly Medicare will not cover you in France but retired military health insurance will. Start by checking with your carrier to see what they might cover.
Buying into the French system is possible but beyond our scope here. Expatica weighs in here. And here is another helpful site.
Banking: Our reader Francine asked about French banking accounts. Ron answers: "US money laundering laws have made it more difficult for Americans as some banks think the compliance efforts are not worth having American accounts. PRO TIP: our bank, Credit Agricole Britline is a French bank with English speaking agents, designed just for anglos.
Renting a House: Leases for unfurnished residences are 3 years in duration. Annual increases are regulated, and small. Legal rights strongly favor tenants, in general. Rents here seem extremely reasonable to us (but then we are coming out of the expensive Charleston market). Expatica has a good article on the subject.
Buying real estate: Although the process is different, it's pretty straight forward. There are no restrictions on buying real estate in France (Ron says: "You've got money, you can buy!"). Just get good advice along the way (see tips at the end of this post). We think real estate is generally a bargain in France, unless you are somewhere pricey and chic--Paris, the Côte d'Azur, or west coast resorts for example.
Renting a car: we've always owned cars here, but you might want to rent, depending on how long you stay. The local grocery stores (the large Grand Surface ones, like Leclerc, Super U, and Carrefour) often rent cars, for far cheaper than anyone else.
Estate Planning: if you own property in France, be aware that the rules are very different. Kids automatically inherit, and you have to jump through some hoops if you prefer to customize that. Tax implications are different, too.
Bringing your pet: We travel with our cat Vino Bambino in the cabin, when we go back to the States for a while. Delta/Air France is the only option I know of to take a pet in the cabin from the US to Europe. But if you have a larger pet, you may have to put them in the hold. If you do, just be sure to travel in cooler weather--spring or fall are best. It isn't risk-free. But out of necessity we did ship our previous cat in the hold when we first arrived. She was a complete wimp of a cat, yet was absolutely fine with her Delta trip--well-fed and watered and totally relaxed and purring when we picked her up.
There is no quarantine period in France, happily, but be sure to read the rules carefully. There may be tests required for the first trip that must be done in advance, I believe it's 21 days. After that you get a French pet passport and you get your vet to update it before every trip, on both sides of the pond. It's pretty easy, just do it 10 days before you leave. Just don't get behind in shots, and pay attention to exam timelines, or you could get in a fix.
This covers just the basics. My dear readers, so many of you have been through this process. What have I forgotten and what is important to know? Pitfalls to avoid? Please do check in!
Are you overwhelmed yet? If so, I've got good news! There are multi-lingual expats who can guide you through every step of the process--buying a house, settling in--and I know two of them personally. I can recommend them both highly.
If you're moving to Burgundy, our friend Marit can help (and sometimes she goes a bit further afield):
Ella Dyer is an American living in Nice. She is a part of the Adrain Leeds Group: "French Property the American Way". They can help you navigate the French system in any area of France; Ella specializes in the Côte d'Azur.
In the COMMENTS: Thanks again to Francine for her delicious post on her cookbook. Also, if you are interested in moving to France, you might go back to our previous post, Should you, Could You, Move to France?, and check out the additional comments, which have continued to come in. Dana and Sandy have had experiences close to ours, and Sandy was interviewed on her adventures in a podcast you may want to check out.
Favorite READS: Natalia checks in with another great read for us: Things I Wish I Told My Mother, by Susan Patterson (yes, the wife of James). Natalia calls it "wonderful and poignant".
