Relocating to France is a dream for many, but turning that dream into a successful reality requires more than booking a one-way ticket. From gathering the right documents to preparing your pets and sorting your accommodation, this comprehensive moving to France checklist walks you through every essential step. Whether you’re renting or buying, relocating solo or with family, this guide will keep you on track.
✅ Step 1: Know Your Visa Type
Before relocating to France, your first step is choosing the correct visa category based on your real-life plans and activities. Applying under the wrong status can lead to visa denials, delays, or legal complications down the line, especially if your purpose of stay doesn’t match your paperwork.
Here’s an overview of the most common long-stay visa types (VLS-TS) for non-EU nationals:
- Visitor Visa (VLS-TS “visiteur”): Ideal for retirees or individuals with passive income who do not plan to work in France. This visa requires you to formally commit to not engaging in any professional activity on French soil.
- Spouse of a French National: If you're married to a French citizen, this visa allows you to join them in France with access to certain residency and work rights. This is different from family reunification under general immigration rules and has its own application track.
- Student Visa: For those enrolling in full-time education at a French institution. This visa permits limited part-time work and access to student healthcare, but not full-time employment.
- Talent Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour “Talent”): It includes several sub-categories such as Qualified Employee (salarié qualifié), Innovative Company Employee (jeune entreprise innovante), Business Investor or Company Founder (porteur de projet), Researchers, artists, tech founders, and more. Each sub-category has its own eligibility requirements, especially regarding minimum salary thresholds, contract type, or investment level. Don’t assume one label fits all, careful alignment with your situation is essential.
Not sure which visa is right for you? Book a Moving to France Consultation with one of our Fab Expat advisors, we’ll help you choose the best path and prepare your application the smart way.
Tip: The application process starts on the official France Visas website.
Key Documents Needed for Most Long-Stay French Visas:
- A valid passport (must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended visa period)
- Proof of financial means – e.g., bank statements, pension letters, or other income sources
- International health insurance – required for all long-stay visa holders. Check out Fab French Insurance for affordable plans tailored for expats
- Proof of accommodation in France – (see Step 3 for your options)
✅ Step 2: Set a Moving Timeline
Moving to France is a process best started well in advance. While visa applications can technically be submitted any time between 6 months and 2 weeks before your departure, securing an appointment can be challenging. That's why we recommend targeting a window of approximately 3 months before your planned move as the safest timeline.
General Timeline:
- 6 months before: Begin researching regions, cost of living, and visa categories. Start gathering basic documents.
- 3 – 4 months before: Finalise which visa best suits your plans. Start collecting financial paperwork, proof of accommodation, and other essentials.
- Around 3 months before: Apply for your visa through France‑Visas. This aligns with official guidelines and improves your appointment odds.
- 1 – 2 months before: Coordinate shipping, cancel home services, prepare pets, and complete any document translations or certifications.
- 2 weeks before: Have your passport, visa appointment confirmation, and supporting documents ready to go.
Booking within this timeframe gives you ample buffer for unexpected delays and ensures you have time to correct any mistakes.
✅ Step 3: Secure Accommodation
One of the core requirements for a long-stay visa application is showing where you'll live in France. Whether you're renting, buying, or staying with someone, you must submit valid proof of accommodation with your visa application.
Renting in France
Most newcomers to France begin by renting. This is often the most straightforward way to demonstrate a stable address.
What you’ll typically need:
- A signed rental contract (bail) showing your name, dates, and the address
- Proof of income and identity (bank statements, tax returns, passport, etc.)
- A French guarantor or use of a service like Garantme if you don’t have local income
Important to know about French leases:
- Unfurnished rentals: Standard contract is 3 years, automatically renewable
- Furnished rentals: Standard contract is 1 year, also automatically renewable
- Notice periods: 1 month for tenants in most cities (with justification) or 3 months otherwise
While some consulates may accept short-term leases or Airbnb reservations, these are generally not considered visa-compliant. In certain jurisdictions (like the US), short-term options may be tolerated as a “Plan B”, but we strongly recommend securing at least a 12-month lease to avoid delays or rejections.
Need help understanding your options or local consulate expectations? Book a consultation with Fab Expat for personalised visa support.
Buying Property in France
Planning to buy your future French home before your move? It’s possible, but be aware of the timing and documentation requirements.
Steps to buy a home in France:
- Sign a compromis de vente (pre-sale agreement)
- Hire a notaire to handle legal formalities
- Finalise the acte de vente (official deed of sale), this usually takes 2–3 months
Only the final deed of sale (“acte de vente authentique”) is fully accepted as valid proof of accommodation for visa purposes. The compromis de vente may not be accepted by all consulates, especially if the sale is not finalised at the time of your appointment.
If you’re buying but don’t yet have the final deed, you may need to rent short-term or be hosted temporarily to meet visa requirements.
Staying with Friends or Family in France
Another legitimate option is being hosted by someone in France. If you’re staying with a friend, partner, or relative, they can provide an attestation d’hébergement (hosting certificate).
What your host must provide:
- A completed and signed attestation d’hébergement. Download the official form here (PDF)
- A copy of their ID or residence permit
- A proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental contract
This is a fully acceptable form of accommodation proof, especially useful for short-term stays or while looking for housing.
Summary: What You’ll Need for Your Visa
Your visa application must include proof of accommodation in one of the following forms:
✅ A valid, signed rental contract (ideally 1 year+)
✅ An acte de vente if you’ve bought property
✅ An attestation d’hébergement if being hosted
Don't risk your visa being delayed or rejected over accommodation documents. Requirements can vary by consulate, so it's best to check what's expected where you're applying.
Still unsure which option is best for your situation? Book a one-on-one consultation with Fab Expat to make sure your visa dossier ticks all the right boxes.
✅ Step 4: Budget for the Move
Relocating to France comes with several upfront costs, so it's essential to build a realistic budget before applying for your visa.
Typical Expenses to Plan For:
- Visa application fee: 99 € (paid at the French consulate when submitting your long-stay visa application)
- Residence permit validation fee: 225 € (to validate your VLS-TS once in France, includes a 200 € tax and 25 € fiscal stamp)
- Document preparation: Translation by sworn translators and apostille/legalisation fees (for birth certificates, marriage documents, etc.)
- Travel costs: Flights for yourself (and family or pets if applicable)
- Accommodation setup: Initial rent and security deposit (usually 1–2 months), or down payment if purchasing property
- International health insurance: Mandatory for long-stay visa holders
- Shipping and relocation services: Furniture, personal belongings, or pet transport
Tip: Once your visa is approved, consider opening a French bank account (many online banks allow remote setup) to simplify rent payments, utility setup, and reimbursements from the French healthcare system.
✅ Step 5: Sort Your Health Insurance
Health insurance is a mandatory requirement for securing your long-stay visa, and not just any policy will do. You must be covered for the full duration of your stay with a comprehensive plan that includes hospitalisation, emergency care, and full medical coverage appropriate for a resident (not a short-term tourist policy).
Explore Fab French Insurance for tailored expat coverage. Once in France, and after three months of residence, you can register for the French public health system (CPAM).
What Happens After You Arrive in France?
Once you’ve been legally residing in France for at least 3 consecutive months (with a permanent, stable address), you may be eligible to apply for PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie), France’s public health insurance via CPAM.
However, don’t expect instant coverage:
- Processing times for a social security number typically range from 3 to 6 months after you apply.
- That means from arrival to full access to the French healthcare system, it may take 6 to 9 months total.
- A stable address (not a short-term rental or Airbnb) is required to start the process.
During this transition period, having international private insurance ensures you're fully protected without coverage gaps.
Tip: Some residence permits tied to work or business (like the profession libérale or Talent Residence Permit) may allow earlier access to French healthcare depending on your activity status. Consult CPAM directly once you're settled.
✅ Step 6: Organise Shipping & Storage
Whether you’re bringing everything or travelling light, plan early.
- Contact international shipping companies for quotes
- Determine customs regulations (especially for electronics, alcohol, and plants)
- Consider short-term storage for items not immediately needed
- Label boxes in French and English
Pro Tip: Keep important documents and valuables in your carry-on.
✅ Step 7: Prepare Your Pets
France is a pet-friendly country, but your four-legged companions must meet strict entry requirements, especially if you're arriving from outside the EU. Make sure you start early, as the process can take weeks or even months depending on your country of departure.
Pet Travel Checklist for France:
- Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip.
- Valid Rabies Vaccination: Administered after microchipping and at least 21 days before travel.
- EU Animal Health Certificate: For pets coming from non-EU countries (like the U.S.), this certificate must be issued and endorsed by an official veterinarian within 10 days of entry into the EU. (Check with your local USDA or equivalent authority.)
- Rabies Titer Test: If you’re travelling from a high-risk or non-listed country, your pet may require a blood test to confirm sufficient rabies antibodies, followed by a 90-day waiting period before travel is allowed.
Travelling with multiple pets or from a high-risk country? Consider using a certified pet relocation service to manage logistics, especially if you’re dealing with connecting flights, customs paperwork, or quarantine rules.
✅ Step 8: Translate & Legalise Key Documents
Some French authorities require official translations or apostilles.
Translate these with a traducteur assermenté:
- Birth/marriage certificates
- University diplomas
- Employment contracts
- Criminal background check (if required for visa type)
Apostille authentication is typically required for official documents from outside the EU. More information on this in our article here.
✅ Step 9: Set Up Your Digital Life
Once your visa is approved:
- Get a French SIM card or international plan
- Register with La Poste for mail forwarding
- Check utilities and Internet setup if you’ve secured accommodation
- Download apps like Doctolib (medical) and Gens de Confiance (classifieds)
✅ Step 10: Don’t Forget to Activate Your Visa
Once you've landed in France with your long-stay visa (VLS-TS), there's one critical step you must not overlook: validating your visa online.
This process officially activates your residency status and ensures you’re legally residing in France.
How to Activate Your French Visa:
- Go to the official site: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
- Create an account and enter the information from your visa sticker
- Pay the tax and fiscal stamp fee (timbres fiscaux) online.
- For most categories, the total cost is 225 € (composed of a 200 € residence tax and a 25 € stamp duty).
- Some categories, such as students, may pay a reduced fee (e.g. 50 € total), depending on your visa type and legal status.
- Legal basis: Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA), Articles L432-10 and following.
- Submit your details and download the confirmation of validation
Deadline: You must validate your visa within 3 months of your arrival in France. Failing to do so may result in loss of legal residency status, which can affect future renewals or applications for long-term permits.
✅ Final Tips Before the Move
As your departure date approaches, here are a few final steps to help your move to France go smoothly:
✅ Notify your home bank and credit card companies to avoid transaction blocks abroad.
✅ Cancel or update subscriptions (phone, internet, streaming, etc.) that won’t follow you to France.
✅ Check driving licence rules:
If your licence is from outside the EU/EEA, it’s generally valid in France for up to one year after you establish residency. Some countries have reciprocal exchange agreements, others don’t. An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be helpful short-term, but it’s not a blanket requirement. 👉 Check the French government’s guide here.
✅ Make digital and paper copies of key documents: passport, visa, birth/marriage certificates, health insurance, housing contracts, and financial records.
✅ Set up practical tools like mail forwarding or scanning, cloud storage, and a secure password manager.
✅ Start with flexible online banking (like Wise or Revolut) to manage euros easily while getting set up. A French bank account will likely be needed later for rent payments, electricity bills, or CAF housing aid, but it’s not required to enter France.
Reminder: Know your visa type.
Whether you’re coming on a VLS-TS “visitor” (no professional activity), VLS-TS “conjoint de Français”, Student visa, Entrepreneur / profession libérale status, or a Talent residence permit sub-category (e.g. “salarié qualifié”, “porteur de projet”), each one comes with its own rights and obligations. Be sure your visa aligns with your actual plans in France.
And finally… embrace the adventure!
Moving to France isn’t always smooth sailing, but with the right prep and mindset, it’s one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.
Ready for expert guidance?Book your personalised Visa & Relocation Consultation to make your move smoother and stress-free.