By the way, it is much easier and safer to go abroad with a moving company than to do it alone. On the one hand, they could also help you with paperwork and get through customs without much trouble. If you plan to move your dog, cat or bird, you should follow a few simple guidelines. For many people, the idea of living in France conjures up images of them sipping a latte under the Eiffel Tower while serenading by a local accordionist. After all, it`s easy to get carried away by the romanticized portrayal of the country we so often see in movies. In reality, however, everyday life in the country is far from Hollywood, and it`s important that you take a closer look at what the France actually looks like before you move. The France is a first-class modern country with all the amenities and infrastructure you could wish for. With high-speed trains connecting you to every part of Europe, Wi-Fi in most neighborhood cafes, and enough culture to satisfy any appetite, moving in France can be a smooth transition. And International Living is here to help. We can provide you with all the information and resources you need for a successful move. Furnished and unfurnished apartments are readily available in France. However, there is more to both categories than it seems. Unfurnished properties are yours for at least three years.

You can cancel earlier if you want, but your landlord can`t ask you to move. However, furnished apartments have a maximum duration of one year each. While it`s often possible to extend your lease, landlords may refuse to renew it, especially if they think they can significantly increase the rent with a new tenant. In 2017, when Donald Trump was elected, French President Emmanuel Macron invited all Americans disappointed by the election result to move to France. The political situation has changed since then, but Americans in general are still welcome — though that doesn`t mean the notorious bureaucracy of France has become easier. If this sounds like you, we can help – we`ll show you step by step how to leave the United States. The France has a universal health care system that grants the right to health care to everyone legally residing in France. After three consecutive months as a permanent resident, you can apply for coverage.

You are automatically entitled to it if you are employed in France or if you contribute to the French social security system. Even if you`re not covered by a plan, anyone in France can access emergency services at any time in the event of a medical crisis. Various services, such as insurance or credit card plans, can be purchased for a small monthly fee. For example, we know an American retiree who recently moved to southern France and bought tenant insurance for $18 a month, and it was good enough to help her open an account. As you would expect from a country of enormous size, France is a land of contrasts thanks to its varied geography. While some expats seek out the hustle and bustle of Paris, others flock to leafy rural communities or head to the resorts of the mountains and coast. For more information on where you might move, check out our guide to the best places to live in France. If you`re planning to move to France, this is the hardest part of deciding which region of France has the qualities you`re looking for. For some, they are the wild and rocky shores of Celtic Brittany, steeped in ancient customs and traditions. Others can`t resist the allure of sunny Provence, a beautiful region of hilltop towns and lavender fields bordered by turquoise sea and the shady palm trees of the French Riviera. Then there`s the Dordogne department in Aquitaine, a lush land of castles and quaint little villages that seem to sleep in the Middle Ages. If you`re crazy about markets, you`re in heaven.

The Dordogne has dozens, and it is known for its gastronomic specialties such as foie gras, truffles and other wild mushrooms. Do you dream of this holiday home in Provence? Or maybe a chalet in the mountains? Whatever your perfect French home is, chances are you`ll need to find short-term housing to fill it when you first move to France. Not only is it the easiest place to find accommodation, but it also gives you plenty of time to orient yourself and decide where you and your family want to live in France. Not to mention the formalities you need to complete to move your car out of the United States. Before shipping your car, you must export a U.S. Customs & Border Protection vehicle cover sheet and provide an original certificate of ownership or certified copy. If your car has a privilege, you will need an official letter from your lien holder allowing you to take your car out of the country. Expatriates and retirees who wish to settle in France must first obtain a long-term visa valid for 12 months in France.

The process begins in your country of residence. For example, North Americans apply from the United States or Canada. The first step is to fill out an online visa application on the French government`s website: www.france-visas.gouv.fr. Most Americans who want to move to France need a work visa. If you are employed, your employment contract must be approved by the French Ministry of Labour and the French Bureau of Immigration and Integration. Self-employed people can also obtain a work visa, although some professions, such as doctors, require special licenses before practicing in France. You can even get a work visa if you`re starting your own business in the country. The France is a beautiful country full of history, culture and excitement. Many people want to emigrate to France, whether for a short-term move or for a permanent move.

With a few simple and practical steps and the right preparation, moving in France can be made easier than you can imagine. Many of you may be wondering if Americans can settle in France and how difficult that might be. This is obviously not an easy task. Finding work and being able to work as an American in Paris is not an easily achievable goal, but it is quite possible.