Relocating to France
Understand the country before you commit to the move.
52% verifiedFrance is a member of the European Union, the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, offering multiple legal pathways for tourism, work, study, business, investment, family reunification and long-term residence. Immigration and residency are governed by the Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA) and administered through the digital ANEF portal and regional Prefectures, with citizenship governed separately by the Code Civil.
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Answered only from Atlas's verified France guides — if it's not covered yet, we'll say so rather than guess.
Life in France
What will life actually be like?
Where should I live?
Regions of France
What will daily life cost?
Living: Cost of Living
What is healthcare like?
Healthcare: Average Costs
What about schools?
Living: Education
How will I bank?
Banking: Best Banks
How will I get around?
Living: Transportation
Cities
Where should I live?
Paris remains the top draw for career opportunities and culture, but at significantly higher cost and housing scarcity than the rest of the country. Lyon, France's third-largest city (Rhône-Alpes region), is a leading alternative for expats wanting high quality of life without Paris's intensity, with a strong job market in pharma, biotech, and digital tech. Bordeaux offers a slower-paced, more affordable lifestyle with wine-region charm. Toulouse ('La Ville Rose') is a major aerospace industry hub, close to the Pyrenees and Mediterranean. Marseille is the most budget-friendly major option for families or cost-conscious individuals. Nantes and Montpellier also rank among top expat destinations for quality of life and affordability.
Residency
Find your residency route
Your best route depends on how you plan to live, work and invest. These are the guides Atlas currently holds for France.
How do you plan to support yourself in France?
Residency: Citizenship
Naturalisation by decree is the usual way for a foreign resident to become French, and it is a favour rather than a right. The standard requirement is five y…
Residency: Digital Nomad Visa
The France-Visas and Service-Public pages reviewed list long-stay visa categories by purpose, such as a visitor stay, work, studies and entrepreneurship, and…
Residency: Permanent Residency
France ties long-term residence to a progression of residence cards, and from 1 January 2026, passing the civic exam is required for a multi-year residence p…
Residency: Processing Times
France does not publish one processing time that covers visas and residence permits; times depend on the category, the consulate or prefecture and the comple…
Residency: Required Documents
The documentation required for French visas and residence permits varies depending on the visa category, purpose of stay, and personal circumstances. Proof o…
Residency: Retirement Visa
France does not have a visa called a retirement visa in the pages reviewed; retirees apply for the long-stay visitor visa, a visa serving as a residence perm…
Residency: Visa Overview
France distinguishes short stays under a Schengen visa from long stays under a national long-stay visa. Short stays under the Community Visa Code are limited…
Residency: Work Visa
France offers several residence pathways for foreign nationals who have secured employment with a French employer. Most applicants require an approved employ…
Property
A home is a relocation decision
Taxes
Understand the cost of your move
Banking
Banking
Healthcare
Healthcare
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Business
Business
Business: Accounting
Verified guideBusiness: Annual Compliance
Verified guideBusiness: Company Formation
Verified guideBusiness: Hiring Employees
Verified guideBusiness: Limited Company
Verified guideBusiness: Payroll
Verified guideBusiness: Social Security
Verified guideBusiness: Sole Proprietorship
Verified guideFrom the Journal
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