Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to France

Every week we answer the same core questions from Americans planning a move to France, and for good reason: the answers change, and much of what you find online is years out of date. So here they are in one place, current as of 2026, each with a short, direct answer and a pointer to the deeper guide when you are ready for the detail. We help 30 to 40 people relocate to France every month, so these are the questions people actually ask, not the ones a search engine thinks they should.

Do I need a visa to move to France from the US?

Yes. As a US citizen you can visit France without a visa, but any stay longer than 90 days requires a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour, usually issued as a VLS-TS), applied for through the French consulate covering your US state before you travel. The most common route for retirees and anyone not working in France is the long-stay visitor visa; there are separate routes for employees, students, entrepreneurs and family members. Our guide to the French long-stay visa for Americans walks through the whole application, or answer a few questions in our visa checker to see which route fits your situation.

How long can I stay in France without a visa?

90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen area, not just France. Since October 2025 the EU’s Entry/Exit System has recorded arrivals and departures biometrically at the border, so the days are now tracked automatically rather than by passport stamps, and the separate ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-free visitors is expected to follow. The counting trips up a lot of people, so read our simple guide to the 90/180 rule, and if you are worried you have miscounted, see what happens if you overstay.

How much income do I need for a French visitor visa?

The benchmark is the French net minimum wage, roughly €1,450 to €1,500 per month per applicant in 2026, from stable sources such as pensions, investments or rental income. There is no single published threshold, though: each consulate assesses files case by case, and showing a comfortable margin above the minimum makes for a much stronger application. Savings can help support a file but regular income carries the most weight. For how the visitor route compares with the alternatives, see visitor visa vs long-stay visa.

Can I use French healthcare as an expat?

Yes. Once you have lived in France stably and legally for three months, you can apply to join the state system (PUMa) through your local CPAM office, and you will eventually receive a carte vitale, the card that handles reimbursements. Be aware that processing routinely takes several months after those first three, which is one reason visitor visa applicants must show private health insurance covering their whole first year. Our complete guide to CPAM and the carte vitale covers the process step by step.

Can I open a French bank account before I move?

It is difficult but not impossible. Most traditional French banks want proof of a French address, which creates a chicken-and-egg problem for new arrivals; some banks offer non-resident accounts, and online banks are generally more flexible. In the meantime, a euro account from a service such as Wise with a European IBAN will cover most early needs, since French billers must accept any SEPA account. The options, documents and pitfalls are all in our guide to opening a French bank account.

Can I drive in France with my US driving licence?

Yes, for exactly one year from the date you become a French resident. What happens next depends on your state: around 18 US states, including Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania, have reciprocity agreements that let you exchange your licence for a French one without a test, while licences from non-reciprocal states such as California and New York cannot be exchanged at all. If your state is not on the list, you must pass the French theory and practical exams before your year is up, so start early.

How much does it cost to move to France?

For most families the true cost runs well into five figures once you add visa fees, certified translations, flights, shipping, rental deposits and the private health insurance required for the first year. Shipping is the biggest variable, and our honest advice is to bring far less than you think you need: American furniture rarely suits French homes, and 110-volt appliances will not work. We break down every line item in how much it costs to move to France in 2026, and our cost of living calculator will show you what daily life costs once you arrive.

Will I be taxed in both the US and France?

You will file in both countries, but the US-France tax treaty is designed to stop you paying tax twice on the same income. The US taxes its citizens wherever they live, and you become a French tax resident once your main home, principal activity or centre of economic interests is in France, or you spend more than 183 days a year there. The treaty is genuinely favourable to Americans, treating US-source retirement income and Social Security particularly well, but the paperwork on both sides is unforgiving. Start with how to avoid double taxation, then read up on your first French tax return, which is filed in the spring following your arrival.

Can I buy a house in France as a foreigner?

Yes. France places no restrictions on foreign buyers, and the purchase process, handled by a notaire, is the same whether you are French or American. Owning property does not grant any right to live in France, though: you still need a visa for stays over 90 days. We usually advise renting for six to twelve months before buying, and when you are ready, our complete 2026 guide to buying a house in France explains the process from offer to keys.

Do I need to speak French to move to France?

Not to get your first visa: there is no language test for the long-stay visitor visa. Language requirements now arrive later in the journey, and they were raised in January 2026: you need A2-level French for a multi-year residence permit, B1 for the 10-year carte de résident and B2 for citizenship. Day to day, even basic French transforms your experience, so start learning before you arrive rather than after.

Where in France should I live?

The honest answer is: somewhere you have spent time outside the summer holidays. France varies enormously between regions, and a village that charms you in July can feel very different in February. Think about climate, healthcare access, airports for trips home and how much community you want around you, then try our region matcher, which turns your priorities into a shortlist of regions worth exploring.

Do I need a relocation company to move to France?

No, plenty of people manage the move themselves, and our guides exist precisely to help you do that. Where professional support earns its keep is in the areas where a mistake is expensive: visa applications, tax planning and property purchases, and in doing the French-language legwork of setting up your new life. We have helped more than 1,200 families make the move, and our relocation services range from one-off advice to a fully managed relocation.

Still have questions? Ask French Connections HCB

Every move is different, and a paragraph can only take a general question so far. If you want answers that account for your income, your family and your timeline, take a look at our relocation services or book a consultation and put your questions to someone who handles French relocations every day. We would love to hear about your plans.