How long does the French visa process take from start to first day in France?

Budget 3–5 months from beginning the process to arriving in France. Gathering apostilled documents takes 3–6 weeks. Consulate appointment availability varies by location — popular consulates (New York, London) can have 4–8 week waits for appointments. After the appointment, processing takes 4–8 weeks. Start the process 5–6 months before your intended move date to be safe.

What should I do in the first 24 hours in France?

Take a breath, then: go to a pharmacy and stock a basic medicine kit (pharmacies are excellent and pharmacists very helpful in France), buy a French SIM card (Free Mobile at any French Post Office or tabac is excellent value), find your nearest boulangerie, and if you're in a furnished apartment ensure the WiFi is connected. In day two or three, begin the ANEF portal validation of your VLS-TS and start the Boursorama bank account application.

What is the OFII integration contract and is it mandatory?

The CIR (Contrat d'Intégration Républicaine, formerly CAI) is a contract you sign with the French state at an OFII office within your first few months. You agree to attend civic education (1 day about French institutions and values) and French language assessment (and courses if needed). It is mandatory for most non-EU immigrants. Completing it contributes positively to your Carte de Résident application after 5 years.

Can I drive in France with my foreign driving license?

For most nationalities: yes, for up to 12 months if your license is from a country with a reciprocal agreement with France (includes US, Canada, Australia, UK, and all EU). After 12 months of French residency, you must exchange your foreign license for a French one (échange de permis) — easier than retaking the full test. EU licenses: valid indefinitely and can be exchanged for a French license at the Préfecture. US licenses: exchangeable if from certain states (California, Texas, and 31 others have reciprocal agreements).

How do I find a school for my children in France?

Contact your local Mairie's Service des écoles (primary) or Rectorat d'académie (secondary) — you are allocated a school based on your home address (carte scolaire). Private Catholic schools (enseignement catholique) accept applications and are often excellent and still largely state-funded. International schools (Lycée Français, American School of Paris, British School of Paris) offer curriculum continuity for expat children — cost €8,000–€25,000/year. Apply early — international schools have waiting lists.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

✈️

🇫🇷 France

Moving Guide

3–6 months

Advance Notice Needed

For visa, housing, shipping

€3,000–€6,000

Paris One-Time Setup Costs

Deposit + first month + fees

€3,000–€8,000

Container Shipping (US to France)

FCL 20ft, varies by origin

Required

OFII Integration Contract

For non-EU arrivals within 3 months

183 days

Tax Residency Threshold

Main criterion for French tax residency

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🗼Paris 🍷Lyon 🌊Nice

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Moving to France requires careful preparation in the months before departure and disciplined execution in the first weeks after arrival. The administrative system (prefecture, CPAM, CAF, tax office) demands documents and patience. But France's relocation infrastructure — especially for intra-EU moves — is well-developed, and the reward for getting the paperwork right is access to one of the world's most comprehensive social support systems.

Key Takeaways

Apply for VLS-TS or Talent Passport at your local French consulate — allow 2–4 months for processing
Day 1–3: Register VLS-TS on ANEF portal (anef-etrangers.gouv.fr) — must be done within 3 months but do it immediately
EU intra-move: no customs duties — bring what you need. Vans and self-drive trucks cross borders freely within Schengen.
ANEF (préfecture for foreigners): all immigration admin online — visa validation, permit renewal, change of status
EU pets: EU passport for animals + up-to-date rabies vaccination — no quarantine required. Microchip mandatory.

Pre-Move Checklist (3–6 Months Before)

The more preparation you do before leaving, the smoother your French arrival will be. French administrative processes start overseas — your visa application, housing search, and banking setup should all begin before you board the plane.

Apply for VLS-TS or Talent Passport at your local French consulate — allow 2–4 months for processing
Begin housing search on SeLoger, PAP, and Lodgis — Parisian apartments list and fill within days; be ready to sign remotely
Open a Revolut, N26, or Wise account with a Euro IBAN for receiving deposits and initial payments before your French bank account is open
Gather apostilled documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, educational diplomas, criminal background check (casier judiciaire)
Get an international driving license if applicable — French authorities require IDP alongside foreign license for first 3 months
Book temporary accommodation for first 2–4 weeks (Airbnb, Citadines Aparthotel, or booked furnished rental)
Notify home country tax authority of your departure date — important for avoiding double taxation in year of move

First Weeks in France

The first weeks involve a cascade of administrative tasks that must be completed in roughly this order. Sequence matters — your CPAM registration requires a lease; your bank requires a lease; your visa validation requires being in France. Plan accordingly.

Day 1–3: Register VLS-TS on ANEF portal (anef-etrangers.gouv.fr) — must be done within 3 months but do it immediately
Week 1: Sign lease, collect 'quittance de loyer' (rent receipt), set up utilities — your proof of French address
Week 1–2: Open traditional French bank account (Boursorama, La Banque Postale) using lease as proof of address
Week 2–4: Register with CPAM (Assurance Maladie) — bring residence permit, ID, lease, French bank RIB
Week 2–4: Register with CAF (caf.fr) — apply for APL housing benefit immediately with lease and income proof
Month 1–2: Contact URSSAF if self-employed — register auto-entrepreneur or SASU
Month 2–3: OFII convocation — you'll receive a letter for your medical examination and integration contract signing

Shipping Belongings to France

Moving your household goods to France involves customs considerations (especially from non-EU countries), choosing between shipping lines, and understanding France's customs rules for importing personal effects.

EU intra-move: no customs duties — bring what you need. Vans and self-drive trucks cross borders freely within Schengen.
Non-EU countries: personal effects may be imported duty-free if you have owned them for 6+ months and are moving your primary residence to France
Required document for customs exemption: 'franchise de droits de douane' — requires visa, proof of move, and detailed inventory
Shipping companies specializing in expat moves: AGS Movers, Santa Fe Relocation, Crown Worldwide — all have France expertise
Partial container (LCL) vs. full container (FCL): LCL from US or UK from €1,500–€3,000; FCL 20ft from €3,500–€8,000
Electronics: French/EU voltage is 220V 50Hz — US appliances (110V 60Hz) need heavy transformers or replacement. Laptops and phone chargers are dual voltage.
Vehicle import: foreign-plated cars from outside EU face significant import duties (10% + 20% TVA). EU-plated cars: 6-month grace period before re-registration required

Administrative Registration in France

France's administrative registration involves multiple agencies that don't fully communicate with each other. You'll need to register with the Préfecture, CPAM, CAF, URSSAF (if self-employed), and the Mairie (town hall) for various services. Each requires a dossier.

ANEF (préfecture for foreigners): all immigration admin online — visa validation, permit renewal, change of status
Mairie (town hall): register as a resident — gives access to local services, school enrolment, and some local benefits
INSEE numero de sécurité sociale: your 15-digit French social security number — issued automatically once CPAM registration confirmed
CPAM: health insurance registration — brings carte vitale within 2–4 months. Register at ameli.fr.
CAF: family and housing benefits — register at caf.fr immediately after signing lease
URSSAF: social charges for self-employed — register when starting auto-entrepreneur or company activity
Impots.gouv.fr: tax registration — create account in first year; file return in May of following year

Moving Pets & Vehicles to France

France is a pet-friendly country and has clear procedures for bringing animals from EU and non-EU countries. Vehicle import varies significantly depending on whether you're coming from within the EU or from a third country.

EU pets: EU passport for animals + up-to-date rabies vaccination — no quarantine required. Microchip mandatory.
Non-EU pets: official veterinary health certificate, rabies vaccination, titer test (blood test 30+ days after vaccination for high-risk countries), and microchip
UK post-Brexit: treated as non-EU — rabies titer test required, administered at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before travel
Quarantine: France generally does not quarantine pets that meet EU entry requirements — non-compliant animals may be quarantined at owner's cost
Vehicle from EU: no import duty, but must register at French préfecture within 6 months of establishing residency — obtain French plates (carte grise)
Vehicle from non-EU: 10% import duty + 20% TVA on customs value. Not recommended for vehicles over 3 years old due to cost.
Contrôle technique: French MOT equivalent. Required every 2 years for vehicles over 4 years old. Cost: €70–€80.

FAQs