Moving to the South of France

Certain administrative processes are essential as soon as you arrive in France.

• Obtaining a visa / residency permit

• If you are a citizen of a European Union member state, from the European Economic Area, or from Switzerland, you don't need a visa, residence permit or work permit to settle in France. Simply register with your local Mairie within three months of your arrival.

• If you are a citizen of a country from outside the European Union, to the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you need a visa to enter France and a residence permit to stay in the country, depending on your situation and the reason for your stay, unless special agreements exist between your country of citizenship and France.

>>>  Find out more about applying for a visa: Work and residency permit for France - Welcome to France

>>> See the list of situations that exempt you from visa requirements : https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/fr/Immigration/Les-visas/Les-dispenses-de-visa (site in French)

FOCUS ON THE TALENT PASSPORT AND THE INTRA-CORPORATE EMPLOYEE TRANSFER PROGRAMS 

The Talent Passport and the Intra Corporate Transferee (ICT) programs are two multi-annual residence permits that make it easier for you to settle in France. The Talent Passport is issued in a number of situations: if you are highly skilled, have been recruited by an innovative company, wish to set up your own business in France, or invest in the country... As an ICT employee, you can carry out an assignment of more than one year in a company that is part of the same group that employs you.

Learn more about the Talent Passport program

Learn more about the Intra Corporate Transfer program

• Getting your driver's license

• If you hold a license issued by the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, it is valid as long as it hasn’t expired..

• If you hold a non-European license, it is valid for a maximum of one year. After that, you'll need to exchange it for a French driving license. To exchange your driving license, the country that issued it must have signed an exchange agreement with France. If this is not the case, you will have to take the French driving test to obtain your French license.

• Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account will make your day-to-day life easier, enabling you to make purchases, collect your salary, pay your bills and rent, and deposit your money.

You will be asked to provide a number of documents (e.g. ID, proof of address, etc.), and you can close your account at any time.

• Receiving social security coverage

The French social security system is based on the principle of national solidarity. All persons residing in France are covered against the risks (illness, injury, old age, loss of employment) and make contributions to finance the system. Your contributions depend on your individual income. Learn more

Subscribing to a private complementary health insurance plan ensures better reimbursement of medical expenses. If you are an employee, you can benefit from your company's complementary health insurance plan.

• Filing your tax returns

In France, there are many different types of direct and indirect taxes to pay, whether on the products you consume, your income, or your assets. These tax revenues are used to finance a wide range of public services (police, hospitals, schools, courts, etc.) as well as social benefits and assistance (retirement, health insurance, minimum income benefits, support for people with disabilities, etc.). Learn more

Every year, you have to declare your income to the tax authorities. You can do this online at impots.gouv.fr (site in French)

The amount you have to pay depends on your situation. You can benefit from exemptions below a certain annual salary ceiling.