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Moving to France, explained properly
Practical guides to every part of moving to France, from first visa to feeling at home.
Pinned · Life in France
The #1 Reason France Wants More Americans to Move There: Consul General Adrien Frier Explains
Adrien Frier, Consul General de France in Los Angeles, on why France is actively welcoming Americans and what it takes to make the move successfully.
10 August 2026
Visas & Legal
French Long-Stay Visa USA 2026: Your Guide to Moving to France
Every step of the 2026 French long-stay visa process from the USA: choosing your VLS-TS category, documents, the VFS appointment and validating on ANEF.
14 August 2026
Banking & Taxes
French Wealth Tax (IFI): Who Pays and How to Calculate Your Liability
Who pays France's property wealth tax (IFI), how to calculate it, and the five-year rule that keeps new residents' overseas property out of scope.
8 August 2026
Retirement
Retiring to France at 55: Your Early Retirement Visa Guide
Dreaming of early retirement in France at 55? Discover how to navigate the French visa process, financial requirements and healthcare for a successful move.
7 August 2026
Life in France
The Consul General of France's Only Advice for Moving to France
The singular advice given by Adrien Frier, Consul General of France in Los Angeles, on what France truly expects from new residents.
6 August 2026
Retirement
Healthcare for Retirees in France: S1 Form, CPAM & Mutuelle Explained
Healthcare for retirees in France made simple: how the S1 form, CPAM and a mutuelle fit together for comprehensive health cover.
5 August 2026
Banking & Taxes
Double Taxation France: Avoid Paying Tax Twice When Moving
How France's tax treaties with the US and UK work: which country taxes your pensions, rental income and salary, and how to claim relief correctly.
4 August 2026
Banking & Taxes
French Tax Return for Expats: Your First Déclaration de Revenus
Your first French tax return made manageable: who must file, when, the forms you need, and the pitfalls to avoid with your déclaration de revenus.
3 August 2026
Retirement
Best Regions in France for Retirees: Climate, Cost & Community Compared
Discover the best regions to retire in France, comparing climate, cost of living and community to help you make an informed choice.
1 August 2026
Language & Culture
French Bureaucracy Survival Guide: Préfecture, Mairie and Paperwork Tips
Navigate French bureaucracy with confidence: préfecture appointments, the ANEF portal, mairie processes and the paperwork every expat needs to master.
31 July 2026
Banking & Taxes
Opening a French Bank Account as a Non-Resident: An Expat's Guide
How to open a French bank account as a non-resident: the routes that genuinely work, the documents you need, and practical tips for a smooth start.
29 July 2026
Cost of Living
How Much Does It Cost to Move to France in 2026? Complete Cost Breakdown
A detailed breakdown of every cost involved in moving to France, from visa fees and shipping to property costs and your first year's living expenses.
27 July 2026
Visas & Legal
Retiring to France After Brexit: Your UK Citizen Visa Guide
How British citizens retire to France after Brexit: the long-stay visitor visa, financial proof, healthcare and S1 registration, step by step.
24 July 2026
Healthcare
Prescription Medication in France: Your Guide to Pharmacies & Coverage
How French pharmacies work, what prescription medication costs, what's reimbursed, and essential tips for expats.
22 July 2026
Visas & Legal
Carte de Séjour Renewal: Your Step-by-Step Guide to French Residence
Renew your carte de séjour with confidence: timelines, documents, ANEF steps and the common mistakes that delay French residence permit renewals.
20 July 2026
Property
French Property Taxes Explained: Taxe Foncière, Taxe d'Habitation and More
A clear guide to taxe foncière, taxe d'habitation and the other property taxes expats pay in France, so you can budget with confidence.
17 July 2026
Healthcare
Registering with a French Doctor (Médecin Traitant): Expat Guide
How to register with a French doctor (médecin traitant) as an expat: the process, essential documents, and tips for finding your French GP.
15 July 2026
Cost of Living
Hidden Costs of Moving to France Nobody Tells You About
Uncover the hidden costs of moving to France, from unexpected taxes to administrative fees, and learn how to budget for them before they catch you out.
13 July 2026
Visas & Legal
French Visitor Visa vs. Long-Stay Visa: Which Do You Need?
Short-stay Schengen entry or long-stay visa? Understand the 90-day rule, the VLS-TS visiteur route and which French visa fits your move.
10 July 2026
Property
Buying a House in France as a Foreigner: The Complete 2026 Process
Everything you need to buy a house in France as a foreigner in 2026, from financing and finding property to signing with the notaire.
8 July 2026
Healthcare
French Healthcare for Expats: Your Complete Guide to CPAM & Carte Vitale
Navigating French healthcare as an expat can seem daunting. This guide breaks down CPAM registration, the Carte Vitale, and how the system works for you.
6 July 2026
Cost of Living
Grocery Costs in France 2026: UK and USA Supermarket Price Comparison
French grocery costs in 2026 compared with the UK and USA, plus practical tips for saving money on food after your move.
3 July 2026
Retirement
How to Retire in France from the USA: Complete 2026 Guide
Retiring in France from the USA is more achievable than you think: visa options, financial requirements, healthcare and a step-by-step process for 2026.
26 June 2026
Cost of Living
Cost of Living in France 2026: Real Numbers by Region
How much does it really cost to live in France? Real monthly budgets by region, honest US comparisons, and the hidden costs that catch expats off guard.
23 June 2026
Life in France
The Biggest Mistakes Everyone Makes When Moving to France
The costly errors we see repeated every month, from underestimating French bureaucracy to buying in the wrong region, and how to avoid them.
18 June 2026
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