Paris
EUR
French
UTC+1
Daily life
- Climate: Temperate and varied: mild, wet Atlantic west; hot, dry summers and mild winters on the Mediterranean coast; colder winters inland and in the east. Summer heatwaves and wildfires in the south.
- Safety: Low violent crime. Pickpocketing and bag theft on public transport in Paris are the main risks; strikes and demonstrations often disrupt transport.
- English: common in cities and among younger people
- Expat community: large
Sources: UK travel advice: France, safety and security (checked 2026-10-22) · EF English Proficiency Index 2025 (France 38th, moderate) (checked 2026-10-22) · Météo-France: climate (checked 2026-10-22)
Cost of living
| Monthly, EUR | Paris | Montpellier | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Couple | Single | Couple | |
| Rent | 1,080 | 1,555 | 660 | 845 |
| Food | 550 | 980 | 480 | 860 |
| Utilities | 250 | 270 | 225 | 240 |
| Transport | 90 | 180 | 0 | 0 |
| Health cover | 125 | 250 | 125 | 250 |
| Leisure | 280 | 480 | 230 | 400 |
| Total | 2,375 | 3,715 | 1,720 | 2,595 |
Rent: a one-bedroom flat outside the centre for one person, between one and three bedrooms for a couple. Health: a top-up insurance (mutuelle) at 65–74 on top of public cover. Utilities include internet. Public transport in Montpellier is free for residents of the metropolitan area.
Sources: Numbeo: cost of living in Paris (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · Numbeo: cost of living in Montpellier (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
Visas and residence
Long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS "visiteur")
For people who will live in France without working. You show resources at least equal to the net minimum wage over a year (12 × the net SMIC: about €1,478 a month since 1 June 2026), health insurance covering the whole stay, and a commitment not to work. The visa is validated online after arrival and serves as the first-year residence permit; then you renew at the prefecture.
- Minimum income: 1,478 EUR a month
- Valid 12 months, renewable; permanent residence possible after 5 years
- The SMIC is revised every year (and mid-year when inflation is high), so the threshold moves.
- Official page
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
No visa or residence card needed. After 3 months you must have sufficient resources and health cover; a card can be requested but is optional.
Trying it first: United States passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; United Kingdom passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; Canada passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
Sources: French government: minimum wage raised on 1 June 2026 (checked 2026-10-22) · Préfecture des Alpes-Maritimes: visitor card, resources of 12 × net SMIC (checked 2026-10-22) · France-Visas (official visa portal) (checked 2026-10-22) · European Commission: Schengen visa policy (90 days in any 180) (checked 2026-10-22)
Healthcare
After more than three months of stable, legal residence you can join the public health insurance (PUMa), which pays most costs; a top-up policy (mutuelle) covers the rest. Before that, the visa requires private insurance for the whole stay.
- Public system: Apply to your local health insurance office (CPAM) after three months of residence. People with little earned income but investment income may owe the subsidiary health contribution (CSM, up to 6.5% of capital income above a threshold).
- Private insurance, monthly (EUR): age 55-64: 105 · age 65-74: 125 · age 75+: 165
- Pre-existing conditions: usually covered
Sources: Ameli (French health insurance) (checked 2026-10-22) · Previssima: PUMa conditions for foreigners (checked 2026-10-22) · LeLynx: senior top-up insurance prices 2026 (mutuelle) (checked 2026-10-22)
Taxes
Residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 45%, plus social charges on investment income. France taxes high-value real estate (IFI, above €1.3 million) and has an inheritance and gift tax.
- When you become tax resident: Your home (foyer) or main place of stay is in France, or your main professional activity, or the centre of your economic interests (article 4 B of the tax code).
Coming from United States
The US keeps taxing its citizens wherever they live (the treaty's saving clause); foreign tax credits are what prevent paying twice. Ask an adviser who knows both systems before you move.
- Tax treaty: yes
- Public pension: US Social Security paid to a French resident is taxable only in the US (treaty Article 18(1)(b)).
- Private pension: Private pensions, 401(k) and IRA distributions are taxable only in France as your country of residence (Article 18(1)(a)).
Sources: US–France income tax treaty (IRS) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from United Kingdom
France taxes your UK pensions as a resident. Your UK State Pension rises each year while you live there (EEA country or social security agreement).
- Tax treaty: yes
- Public pension: Taxable only in France (other income article, as the pensions article covers pensions for past employment).
- Private pension: Taxable only in France (Article 18). Most UK government pensions (such as civil service pensions) are taxed only in the UK.
Sources: GOV.UK: France tax treaties (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: countries where the State Pension is increased each year (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: tax on your UK income if you live abroad (State Pension, Personal Allowance, government pensions) (checked 2026-10-22) · HMRC International Manual INTM343190: pensions and annuities (State Pension under tax treaties) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from somewhere else? The general rules above apply; check your home country's tax treaty with France or ask a licensed advisor.
Sources: impots.gouv.fr: international (individuals) (checked 2026-10-22)
Housing
Foreigners can buy freely. On an existing home, purchase costs ("notary fees", mostly transfer taxes) are about 7–8% of the price; on a new build about 2–3%.
- Can foreigners buy? Yes
- Purchase costs: about 8% of the price (taxes and fees)
- Renting: Furnished leases usually run for a year and unfurnished ones for three; Paris has rent caps.
Sources: Service-public.fr: notary fees on a purchase (what they include, notary scale) (checked 2026-10-22) · Meilleurtaux: notary fees 2026 (checked 2026-10-22)
Settling in
Once you choose France, the settling plan takes you through 7 steps, from a year before the move to your first year there. The first ones:
- Gather the visitor visa documents: Proof of resources at least equal to the net minimum wage, private health insurance for the whole stay, proof of accommodation and a written commitment not to work.
- Apply for the long-stay visitor visa: Fill in the application on France-Visas, then go to the French consulate or its visa centre.
- Validate your visa online: Within 3 months of arriving, validate the VLS-TS online and pay the fee; it then works as your residence permit for the first year.
- Join the public health insurance (PUMa): After three months of stable residence, apply to your local CPAM, then choose a top-up insurance (mutuelle).
The full plan, with costs, delays and official links, is in your personal space (coming soon).
Rules and figures change and we can make mistakes: confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor before acting.