Making a Move to France

Relocating, Removals and Information for Emigrants and Retirees

Sep 14, 2009

Moving to France - A Dream for Many, Caery

Moving to France is a dream for many. The country is steeped in history with beautiful rivers, forests, mountains, a stable economy and world renowned cuisine.

The French immigration authorities have traditionally been very protective of their domestic labour force, and put tend to put many bureaucratic obstacles in the way of companies wishing to recruit foreign workers interested in moving to France. However it is getting easier, mostly due to labour shortages, especially in the IT sector.

Moving to France – Immigration Laws

There are three types of entry visas into France for non-EU citizens, each with its own rules:

Student visa (3 types – 3month stay, temporary long stay and one year visa)
Long-stay visa
Work permit visa (2 types – a temporary secondment and full work permit)

In order to obtain a work permit, the emigrant must obtain a contract from a company operating in France and the employer must file an application for approval with the authorities before a visa can be issued.

Tips on Relocating to France

Take lessons in French and learn the language properly. Doctors, dentists, tax authorities or grumpy neighbours are not going to address an emigrant in English. The French are not generally patient with those who massacre their language.
Bringing a car into France is not straight-forward and it involves producing plenty of paper work ranging from the original bill of sale and registration, tax exemption certificate, VAT exemption certificate to a French road worthy certificate. In addition, the car model has to be approved for use in France, so it may be less complicated to sell up back home and buy a new or second hand car in France.
Be realistic about location – It may sound wildly romantic to buy a 18th century semi-ruined farmhouse and bury oneself deep in the French countryside near a tiny medieval village. The reality is that many rural areas in France are very isolated and accessing amenities may mean a long drive to the nearest town. Buying a renovation project can turn the relocation dream into a nightmare. Rather rent first and purchase later.
For those who want to retire to France, get professional advice on pension, tax and health care issues. If moving from within the EU, check what paperwork is necessary in order to access the French medical system.
Contact support groups and Anglo-French societies as a way of making new friends and getting help and advice.
Essential documents for EU citizens to take with when moving to France are a birth certificate, EU passport, UK (or other) driving licence, marriage certificate and insurance paperwork.
A residency card will need to be obtained. This will be issued within six months of applying. It is free and is valid for five years. This will allow one to work free in France and to obtain the correct social security documents.

Removals to France

The web abounds with companies offering household removal to France. The best thing to do is undertake an online comparison between companies, look for references and check out forums to see what experiences different removal companies have provided for their clients.

Source:

www.emigrationexpert.co.uk, article Official Documentation When Moving to France, information retrieved on 14 September 2009