Moving to France from the US: an essential guide for future expats

France blends culture, healthcare, and daily ease into one of the world’s most livable packages, which is why nearly 153,000 adult Americans now call it home, with roughly one in four living in Paris. This guide opens with why France is a top destination for Americans, then explains what makes this move fundamentally different from relocating within the US, so you can chart a confident path. Along the way, you’ll see how rules on visas, healthcare, and travel authorizations shape how to move to France in 2025.

This article is brought to you by Taxes for Expats – a top-rated team helping Americans abroad meet US filing requirements. If you’re relocating to France as a US citizen, we can guide you in staying compliant with the IRS from your first year onward – learn more about our services or contact us.

Living in France: benefits for Americans

You’ll find that France delivers practical upsides that shape everyday life, especially for US citizens. Below we outline quality of life and work–life balance, healthcare and education benefits, plus cultural richness and travel opportunities within Europe to frame later decisions as you move to France.

• For professionals who relocate, the legal 35-hour week and at least five weeks of paid annual leave secure a strong work–life baseline.
• Universal healthcare activates after three months of stable residence under PUMA, out-of-pocket costs are among the EU’s lowest (9%), and public university tuition remains heavily subsidized (€178–€254 EU; non-EU bachelor €2,895, master €3,941).
• France’s cultural depth is unmatched, with 50+ UNESCO World Heritage sites – including the 2025 inscription of the Megaliths of Carnac.
• Weekend escapes are simple thanks to high-speed rail – TGV trains at up to 300 km/h and Eurostar linking Paris–London in about 2h17.

Visas & residency: your 2025 essentials

As a US citizen, you’ll pick the long-stay route that matches your purpose, then convert it to the right residence card on time. This is a concise map of visa options – followed by the exact steps that take you from application to validation to a residence permit.

Long-stay visa (VLS-TS)

For stays over 90 days, the VLS-TS is valid 4–12 months and must be validated online within three months of arrival. Most travelers pay a tax stamp when validating (€200 for most categories; €50 for students), then download a confirmation you’ll need for admin and travel.

Staying beyond a year means applying on the ANEF portal for a residence card before the visa expires.

Salaried employee – long-stay work visa

Your French employer requests a work permit; once issued, you receive a long-stay visa that can be valid up to 12 months. On arrival, validate the VLS-TS within three months to remain in legal status. Use this path when you relocate for a French job or assignment.

Student – VLS-TS “étudiant”

Eligible once your program is confirmed, the student VLS-TS covers 4–12 months and requires validation after entry. You’ll book biometrics with TLScontact in the US and leave your passport for processing during the stated timeline. Continuing your studies lets you move to a multi-year residence permit later.

Visitor – VLS-TS “visiteur” (retirement or sabbatical)

This visiteur option suits retirees and those staying long term without work; it requires sufficient resources and forbids any professional activity in France. Validate within three months and keep private health cover until you’re fully enrolled in the French system.

Many applicants use it to move to France for a quiet year while setting up long-term plans.

Entrepreneur/profession libérale – self-employed

For creating or running a business or a liberal profession, you’re issued a VLS-TS marked “entrepreneur/profession libérale.” After arrival, validate online and keep proof of payment for audits and prefecture visits. Multi-year residence is available once you convert to a card and meet renewal criteria.

From visa to residence card – the exact steps

You’ll follow the same rhythm no matter the category – apply, enter, and validate, then convert to a card before your first year ends. Below is the shortest path for how to move to France as an American, with precise timing.

Step 1 – Apply and give biometrics. Start on France-Visas, then book a TLScontact appointment in the US; long-stay files are accepted no earlier than three months before departure, and processing times vary by case. This is the official start of your move to France.

Step 2 – Arrive and validate the VLS-TS. Validate within three months and pay the required tax stamp (commonly €200; €50 for students); save the PDF confirmation for travel and prefecture procedures.

Step 3 – Convert to a residence permit. Apply online to ANEF two to four months before the visa expires, and budget €225 in tax stamps when your card is issued. This step secures your status for years two and beyond.

Living costs comparison & your housing choices in France

An American citizen weighing a move cares first about monthly reality – groceries, rent, and what a salary buys. Start with the Numbeo August 2025 table below, then use the four bullets that follow to decide between renting and buying.

(Ratio computed by converting €763.6 at Aug 2025 avg EUR→USD 1.1647)

France is cheaper in living costs and rent; the USA wins on purchasing power. For anyone living in France long-term, the next step is how you secure a home – see the four quick points below.

• Deposits & lease basics (renting) – Unfurnished leases cap the security deposit at 1 month’s rent; furnished leases at 2 months.

• Rent caps in controlled zones (renting) – Cities like Paris apply a capped loyer de référence majoré by district and property type; check your address against the official register.

• Purchase costs at closing (buying) – Expect ≈7–8% notaire/transfer costs on existing property vs ≈2–3% on new-build/VEFA.

• Financing & timeline (buying) – New-home loan rates averaged ≈3.1% in May 2025 and trended down mid-year; plan ≈2–3 months from compromise to deed.

Mortgage, rent, or savings in France? Don’t forget to report foreign accounts with FBAR.

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Best French cities for American expats

Where you land in France will shape daily life, especially as a United States citizen – commute, community, and cost. Below, in Popular cities and regions (pros and cons of each), we compare four hubs on vibrancy, openness, population, and risk.

Paris

Iconic and cosmopolitan, Paris is known worldwide for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Its core city population stands at 2,113,705 (2022), giving you unmatched services and international schools. It’s the easiest landing spot for newcomers thanks to dense transit, English-friendly amenities, and deep expat networks.

Crime Index sits around the high-50s, so street-smart habits are sensible; the trade-off is world-class culture at your doorstep. Advantage – unparalleled career and culture, but due to it having the highest rents and tourism congestion, you might ensure it’s worth the pain.

Lyon

A refined, well-run city famed for gastronomy and a UNESCO-listed historic core, Lyon feels manageable yet metropolitan. The commune counts 520,774 residents (2022), with a strong university scene and a balanced job market. Its scale and cleanliness appeal to professionals living in France who want big-city culture without Parisian pace.

• Crime Index hovers around the high-50s – comparable to Paris but felt differently by neighborhood.

• There is an extraordinary food culture and excellent rail links.

• Major con – English is less pervasive day-to-day than in Paris, so integration takes a little effort.

Bordeaux

Elegant and easygoing, Bordeaux is globally synonymous with wine and its UNESCO-listed “Port of the Moon.” With 265,328 residents (2022), the center is walkable, the riverfront is revived, and the lifestyle is slower than Paris or Lyon – good for families and remote workers. International communities cluster around wine, tech, and tourism, easing adaptation.

• Crime Index sits around ≈50 – lower than Paris and Lyon by Numbeo’s current measures.

• High quality of life, architecture, and day-trip terroir.

• The job market is calmer; salaries and roles can be narrower than in Paris/Lyon, and this may pose a difficulty to expats who seek employment.

Marseille

France’s Mediterranean capital blends gritty energy with sea-and-sun living. Home to Calanques National Park and France’s leading seaport, it’s lively, outdoorsy, and proudly authentic. City population is 877,215 (2022) – big-city services with coastal weekends built in.

Crime Index is mid-60s, higher than Paris, so choose neighborhoods carefully and lean on local advice; adapting is easier around the Vieux-Port and southern districts. Major pro – sea access, sunshine, and lower costs than Paris. Major con – uneven safety perceptions and occasional port pollution.

Daily life in France – complete survival guide

You’ve nailed the visa, taxes, and housing – now make the everyday rhythm work for you. These field-tested tips connect directly to our other sections on transport, education, and cultural fit.

1. Language & local integration – Start with the state-run integration track: the OFII contract prescribes 100–600 hours of French to reach A1, plus 24 hours of civics; new rules were refreshed July 22, 2025. Community classes (Alliance Française, municipal centers) and meetups accelerate confidence.

2. Culture, traditions & etiquette – Restaurant prices are prix service compris – taxes and service included by law – so tipping is optional and modest (round up or a few percent for standout service). Many shops still limit Sunday hours outside tourist zones; expect open Sunday mornings more than full days. Americans who move to France from the USA notice the calmer tipping norms immediately.

3. Getting around (metro, driving, bikes) – In Paris, the Navigo monthly pass is €88.80 in 2025; single-fare changes also arrived with the fare overhaul. Drivers: standard limits 50/90/130 km/h (urban/rural/motorway) and a legal 0.5 g/L BAC – 0.2 g/L for new drivers. Low-emission zones require a Crit’Air sticker – even for foreign plates – apply online before entering cities like Paris or Lyon. Cycling is booming; children under 12 must wear helmets, and Vélib’ subscriptions start around €9.30/month.

4. Food shopping, dining & daily habits – Expect clear, tax-included shelf pricing and frequent unit-price (prix au kilo) labels for easy comparisons. Lunch deals are common – think €15–€25 for a weekday menu du jour at neighborhood spots, though bistronomy can run higher. American Express works, but Visa/Mastercard have broader acceptance – carry a backup card.

Healthcare & insurance – essentials for expats

France’s system is universal, but it reimburses costs rather than making care free at the point of use – so understanding what’s covered, when, and how matters. Below is how the system works, how to register for public health insurance (PUMA), and where private coverage fits.

Assurance Maladie pays set percentages of official fees: a standard GP visit costs €30, and within the coordinated care pathway, public insurance covers 70% of that (about €19 refunded after the €2 copay). Hospital stays are generally reimbursed at 80% of the official tariff, with remaining costs often handled by a complementary policy called a mutuelle. Together, this public-plus-mutuelle setup is the norm for residents.

New residents without French employment become eligible for public cover under PUMA after three months of stable, legal residence – apply via your local CPAM and you’ll receive a Carte Vitale once approved. When you move to France as an American, keep private health insurance in place to bridge those first months and any processing lag. For long-stay visas, authorities require proof of comprehensive medical insurance – including hospitalization and medical repatriation – for the full visa period, so maintain private cover until your PUMA rights start.

Employment and business routes in France

For Americans moving to France, this section shows how to find work, read the work culture, and set up a company – in that order. It also flags a 2025 OBBBA update that may affect take-home pay and small-business choices.

• Landing employment as an American in France – Use France Travail and APEC to target in-demand roles; the May 21, 2025, list highlights hospitality, caregiving, and agriculture. With Q2 2025 unemployment at 7.5%, tailor your CV to local needs and valid visa categories.

• Workplace culture and hours – The 35-hour week is standard; overtime pays +25% to +50%, with a 48-hour weekly cap. Paid leave totals 5 weeks, and breaks are strictly regulated.

• Launching a business – Form a SASU (from €1) or begin as a micro-entrepreneur (limit: €77,700 in 2025), via the guichet unique. Non-EU nationals need a visa allowing self-employment, like profession libérale or Talent.

NOTE! Under OBBBA 2025, Americans abroad may deduct up to $25,000 in tips and claim overtime premiums. These US-side tax breaks can shift how income or business is structured while living in France.

France tax & finance for US expats

Taxes underpin your whole move and affect every other decision – from visa selection to healthcare enrollment and banking setup. For anyone moving to France, use the snapshot below to see how French residency, local taxes, and ongoing US duties fit together.

What makes you a French taxpayer?

Moving to France doesn’t automatically make you a French tax resident – but it might sooner than you think. France considers you a resident for tax purposes if even one of the following applies:

• Your main home is in France

• You spend 183+ days per year in France

• Your principal activity (job or business) is in France

• Your economic center (investments, income, family ties) is in France

Once resident, you're taxed on worldwide income – so knowing when that switch flips is crucial.

What taxes will you actually pay in France?

French taxes cover income, investments, real estate, and even local property use. Their core taxes include progressive income tax (0–45%) and VAT on goods and services (standard rate: 20%, with reduced rates at 10%, 5.5%, and 2.1%). These taxes can quickly shape your financial landscape – especially when paired with US tax rules.

Do I still have to file US taxes from France?

Absolutely – living abroad doesn’t let you skip the IRS. American citizens must keep filing no matter where they move:

• FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion): $130,000 per person for 2025 (Form 2555)

• Tax deadline: June 15 (can be extended to June 16 due to weekends)

• FBAR (FinCEN 114): File if foreign accounts total over $10,000 at any time

• FATCA (Form 8938): Required if foreign assets exceed $200k single / $400k joint at year-end

• OBBBA 2025: Didn’t change FEIE or remove filing obligations.

Even when your income is taxed in France, coordinating credits like FEIE or FTC ensures you're not double-taxed.

France taxes + US rules: see how to use the tax treaty to reduce your burden

Read more

Schooling options for US families in France

France makes school feel predictable – and affordable – once you know the pathways. By offering free public schooling from age 3 to 16, with meal prices like €0.13–€7 in Paris and private sous contrat fees averaging €680–€770 annually. Full-fee international schools such as the International School of Paris charge €24,790–€37,860, while bilingual sections internationales in public lycées lead to the Baccalauréat français international (BFI).

University tuition for 2025/26 is €178 (licence) and €254 (master) for EU students, or €2,895 and €3,941 for most non-EU students – with many exemptions. Over 430,000 international students enrolled in France in 2023–24, and first-degree applicants use Parcoursup, whose 2025 main phase ran from 2 June to 10 July.

Ready to make the leap – here’s what to keep in mind

Moving to France unlocks an entirely new way of life, but staying on top of your finances makes that transition smoother and more sustainable. Before you take off, remember: taxes don’t stop at the border – France and the US both expect your paperwork in order.

That’s where Taxes for Expats comes in – giving Americans abroad reliable, year-round tax guidance so you can focus on building your new life in France, not battling the IRS.

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