International Moving: Move to or From France

International Moving: Move To France or From France

France is known for its beautiful landscapes, iconic architecture (past and present), heritage sites, work-life balance, leisure (joie de vivre), friendly climate, and beautiful places such as the French Riviera and the Eiffel Tower. It's also rich in diversity. Moving to the area is a good initiative, especially if you're a retiree with free time, an American expat, a student, or you just want to stay in Europe for a while.

International relocation can be daunting, but this comprehensive guide has simplified the process. We've also provided practical advice on how to find reputable international moving companies to help ship your belongings to your new home in France. You are also covered if you are moving from France back to the US.

Things to Do Before Your Move

Before we discuss your move to France, let's start with the basic issues associated with international relocation, such as visas, work permits, and everything else you need to set up.

Visas & Work Permits

US citizens can travel to France without a tourist visa. Even a three-month tourist visa won't be required for Americans. However, if relocating to France to live and work, you will require a long stay visa such as the ones below:

• A spouse visa is required if you are moving to be with your partner or if you are a French citizen, but your spouse's nationality is different.
• A student visa is required if you are moving to France to study.
• A talent visa is a work visa that allows you to live and work.
• There is also an au pair visa, which allows a young person (age 18 - 30 ) to stay and work with a host family.

Most long-stay visas can earn you a residence permit once you arrive. If you also desire to move temporarily to other EU countries while in France, you will then apply for an EU Blue Card.

French Culture and Learning to Speak French

You don't have to wait until you get to France before learning to speak or understand French culture. The best way to fit into your new life abroad is to speak the local language and get along with the culture.

Besides, while some cosmopolitan jobs can allow you to speak English only, many other jobs require an appreciable understanding of the language, especially if it requires dealing with the government and its agencies often. Therefore, you need to learn French.

Another good thing about the culture is that you are only required to work 35 hours a week, which means you have time for other business and leisure activities. France has about twelve national public holidays in a year, and states can also have additional holidays.

Apart from language, you should also become familiar with French cultural norms and etiquette to limit the culture shock and fit in easily. For example, work is 35 hours per week, and the lunch period is longer than normal. There are also specific market days if you want to get fresh items.

Living Costs In France

For example, the cost of living is lower in the US than in France. Food and clothing are cheaper in the US, while the healthcare system is cheaper. Average earnings are higher in the US, whereas utilities, clothing, transportation, and real estate cost more.

You should also familiarize yourself with France's taxation system, social security, and health insurance. As a permanent resident, you must file tax returns by the end of May or June.

If you work in France, you and your family are entitled to the French social security system, which is comprehensive and includes:

• Government pension contributions
• Health, maternity, paternity, disability, and death insurance
• Occupational accident and illness insurance
• Family allowances, and
• Unemployment benefits

As soon as you move to France, it would help if you also got health insurance to use the healthcare system. You might also need a private health insurance plan apart from universal healthcare, which only covers about 70% of most medical costs.

Before you move, you can open a non-resident bank account and regularize it when you get there. The bank account makes it easy to move the funds you will need to get started with your new French life.

Understand the French job market.

Suppose you are moving to France for employment, whether you already have your work contract offer or are still job hunting. In that case, you must be familiar with the work regulations and, by extension, the European Union.

You can apply for jobs once you have a work visa and residence permit. Prepare your CV and tailor it in French. Also, ensure you have a French-translated copy done, preferably by a native speaker. Only send an English CV to a job posted in English. Even if not required, always attach a French copy to every application.

The sectors with the most in-demand jobs in France are health and social care, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, professional services, construction, accommodation, and food.

The French Labour Ministry regulates all employment-related matters. The average gross salary for full-time private-sector employees in France is 2,998 EUR (3,362 USD), while the net is 2250 EUR (2524 USD). The minimum wave is 1,498.47 EUR (1,681 USD). France is notably the second-largest economy in the European Union.

If you are moving to the area to set up your own business, you must register at Centre e Formalités des Entreprises (CFE). There are different CFEs in France based on the nature of your business.

You can also work as a Freelancer under a portage salarial system or join a worker's cooperative. You must pay 7 to 10% of your monthly earnings in both cases.

Self-employed people are included in France's social security scheme, which covers health, family allowances, and pensions as long as they contribute to the scheme.

If your work requires you to work in other EU countries while you stay, you must apply for a blue card, which is a kind of EU work permit. You can also apply for this when filling out your residence form.

Generally, French business culture is formal and conservative. Therefore, expect to deal with hierarchies in your job or business schedule.

Popular Regions to live in France

Expats moving to France usually like to settle in areas where they can easily find their countrymen. Some of the most popular cities and regions you will find ex-pats in France are:

• Île-de-France (Which means Island of France)
• Paris
• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
• Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• Occitanie
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Grand-Est
• Hauts-de-France
• Bretagne (Brittany)
• Pays-de-la-Loire
• Normandie (Normandy)
• Centre-Val-de-loire
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Most expats, especially Americans, live around Paris and Ile-Ide-France, where they can easily find employment and English-speaking clubs and groups. However, living in a local area or rural France can be challenging for several reasons.

Children Education

If you are a parent and wondering about schooling options for your kids when you move to France, rest assured that the public education system is free and open to all children legally residing. However, international and private schools also cater to children up to the higher education level. Generally, education is top-notch, as they boast some of the best schools in the world, and their tuition fees are relatively low.

You are at liberty to choose between public and private schools. However, Public education is in French. If you want a school that provides education in both English and French, you might need to take your children to private schools.

Get an International Driver's License

One way to make your move to France stress-free is to get an international driving permit before you Enter France. With that, you can drive legally for up to 12 months before you need a French driver's license. EU citizens and EEA nationals can continue to use their international driver's licenses indefinitely, but nationals of other countries will have to convert to a license.

Finding a place to stay

It would be best if you found temporary accommodation in preparation for your move to start a new life. Even if you hope to buy your own home, you will need a place to stay once you enter France so you can finish your paperwork and settle down to look for ideal accommodation to rent or buy. This will require working with Real estate agents.

Moving To France: Handling The Logistics

Thanks to real estate agents, you have secured your visa and work permits, temporary accommodation, or your new home in France. You are now ready to live with the French people and integrate into the culture.

But one thing remains: moving your household goods and belongings to France. This is a major part of your move, and it's not something you can handle alone. You need the services of an international mover to help you handle the logistics in a stress-free process. But before you begin to search for a mover, here are some things to know when moving to France and needing to ship your belongings.

Paperwork for importing household goods to France?

Unlike some countries, you do not have to be physically present when your items are cleared through customs. You must show that you have lived in your home country for at least a year and that you plan to be in France for at least a year. While you will have a year to import your household goods, you must declare all future shipments at the time of your first shipment.

Required Documents:

• Valid passport
• French visa – Get this before you arrive. Trying to get one after you arrive in France will just make the process more difficult.
• Declarations for Entry of Personal Effects and Duty Exemption
• Valid Residence Card - “Competences et Talents”
• Proof of Employment
• Proof of your new residence in France, such as utility bills or a home purchase
• Bill of lading for your overseas shipment, or, if you are a high roller, an air waybill for your air shipment

You must also provide a written declaration that you have lived in your home country for at least the past 12 consecutive months, that you have owned your household imports for at least the past six months, and that you will not attempt to transfer ownership of any of your tax and duty-free imports for at least a year after you arrive.

For your household goods, you will need to create a box-by-box inventory of all your belongings. This detailed inventory of your entire shipment must be valued in Euros and written in French. Here is where working with a shipper is essential.

What is the Moving Cost to France?

The cost of moving a 2-bedroom household to France depends on where you send your goods from. If you don’t live near a major port, for example, you may need to pay for shipping overland to the shipping terminal and then for the overseas container shipping. That’s a lot of logistics to keep track of.

To ship a full container to France from New York City, for example, would cost between $7,200-$9,600. From Tokyo, the cost would be ¥1,073,300 - ¥1,436,100.

Are vehicle imports permitted in France?

To qualify for tax and duty-free vehicle imports, you must be able to prove that you have lived in your home country for at least one year and that you have owned the vehicle for at least six months prior to your move.

Most vehicles will need some level of modification to be imported to France. North American vehicles will need extensive modifications. First, they will need to be altered so that they may be safely driven on the left-hand side of the road. In addition, they will need Xenon lights, a weight detection system, and an automatic cleaning system. The cost for these modifications will be several thousand Euros.

Not every vehicle is eligible, so check with your shipper for more information.

To pass your vehicle through customs, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of French motor vehicle insurance
• Clean title without liens
• Proof of purchase
• License plate numbers

If you not eligible for tax and duty-free imports, you will owe the following taxes based on the age and type of vehicle you are bringing:

• Car over 50 years old – 5% VAT
• Car over 30 years old – 5.5% VAT
• Motorcycles – 9% import tax/20% VAT
• All others – 10% import tax/20% VAT

Say oui to working with an overseas moving company

When filling out complex customs paperwork, your high school French may not cut it. Working with an overseas moving company means that you don’t have to spend your next six months juggling your packing list and a French dictionary. We can help you get packed and ensure that your paperwork is done right the first time. Contact Three Movers today to learn how we can help you move to or from France without a hitch.

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