How to come and live in France?

If you want to come and live in France permanently, you may need to apply for a residence permit.

If you’re a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you don’t need a residence permit.

Otherwise, you will need to apply for different types of permits:

• Long-stay visa: This allows you to stay in France for between 4 months and a year. To obtain it, you must apply at the French consulate in your country. When it expires, you can apply for a residence permit.
• Temporary or multiannual residence permit: Depending on your situation, you can apply for this permit. The condition depends on your status. For example, as a worker your employer must make the demand himself. If you live abroad, you must apply for a long-stay visa VLS-TS and if you already live in France, you must go ask for your permit in the prefecture or subprefecture of your home department. As the process differs depending on your situation, consult Service Public to find out how to apply.
• Resident permit: This permit allows you to stay in France for 10 years and can be obtained as a first permit or when renewing a temporary residence permit. You can obtain it in many situations: as the spouse of a French citizen, as the parent of a French citizen, as a refugee, after serving in the Foreign Legion, etc. You will find all the details on this page (in French).

If you are Algerian, the rules are different and you can find them here (in French).

Finding the right accommodation depends largely on your personal preferences. But how do you find the perfect place in a country you may never have set foot in before? There are several ways to do this.

You can look for a relocation agency, a company whose mission is to help employees and their families move to another country. They can help you in many ways (such as obtaining a visa), but especially in finding a place to live. You can also choose to work with an estate agent, who will find the perfect place for you according to the criteria you give them.

If you want to do it on your own, you can choose to contact estate agents via the Internet or search for your own accommodation online. The most popular site is Se Loger, but take the time to explore the agencies in your chosen city, as they often have exclusive offers. Websites such as Le Bon Coin and De Particulier à Particulier also have listings from individuals who don’t work with agencies.

Adapting to a new country can be difficult, especially if your own culture is very different. But there are many ways to adapt and feel right at home.

One of the first steps is to prepare for the new culture before you arrive. Find out as much as you can about French culture and learn about it. The more you know, the fewer surprises you will encounter and the fewer misunderstandings and mistakes you will make. Be sure to learn about etiquette, what is considered appropriate and inappropriate depending on the context, etc.

Learning the language is one of the best ways to prepare to live in France permanently. As a language cannot be separated from the culture of its speakers, French lessons will teach you a lot about the country, its history, etc.

Once you are in France, try to socialise with French people as much as possible. For example, by joining a club or taking part in social and cultural events, you will meet new friends with whom you can begin to learn more and adapt to your new home.

If you are moving here with your family, you will need to find a school for your children. There are dozens of international schools in France, teaching in many languages. English-speaking schools are the most common, but you can also find schools in Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Japanese, German, etc. They are usually located in the larger cities, such as Paris or Lyon. Relocation agencies can help you find the perfect school.

Note that if you enrol your children in the public education system, the school they attend will depend on where you live. On the other hand, you can choose a private school. In this case, the choice is yours.

France is a large country, with diverse climates and landscapes. Its cities are diverse and cater for different lifestyles. Where to live in France? Here are some elements to consider:

• Can you find a job? Different regions have different economic sectors. Depending on your profession, you may choose to live in a particular city. For example, if you work in cleantech, Lyon is a major player in France.
• What kind of weather are you looking for? From the cool and rainy north to the dry and hot south, there are many climates in France and depending on your preferences, you may prefer a particular region.
• Do you want to live in the countryside or in a big city? Note that public transport in cities such as Paris or Lyon is very efficient and makes it convenient to live away from the city centre and settle in a quiet town.
• What about leisure activities? Make sure that the place you choose to live in has all the activities you want to do in your free time.

Lyon is one of the best cities to come and live in France permanently. Its dynamic economy, its temperate climate and cultural life make it an exciting place to move to and start your new life.

Moving to France is an ambitious project with great potential. Renowned for its quality of life, dynamic economy and vibrant culture, it is no surprise that it is one of the most popular countries to emigrate to. By choosing Lyon as your new home, you will be able to enjoy France at its best!