Your first 12 months in France – a guide for new arrivals

Making the leap to life in France is an exciting adventure, but settling in involves more than simply arriving with your visa in hand. From validating your paperwork to securing your place in the French healthcare system, arranging property matters, and ensuring your daily essentials are in order, there are a series of key steps to take early on. These processes not only keep you compliant with French regulations but also lay the foundations for a smooth and stress-free life in your new home.

From visas to residency

You’ve received your visas and you’re on your way!  Exciting times, but there are things you need to do to ensure your ongoing stay and life in France is kept on track!

• Validate your visas:  This must be done whilst you are physically in France, and within 3 months of your arrival date – don’t wait until the last minute, get it done as soon as possible.  The process is done online, and is relatively simple.  Help is at hand if you need it. There is an individual fee to pay for each person at the time of validation and you need to pay this as part of the process.  Once validated, you’ll receive a verification.  You may need to attend a meeting at your local prefecture (the right is reserved, though often not needed)
• Healthcare part 1:  the first step in joining the French healthcare system is to apply to OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) for a health certificate.  This will involve a medical at a local doctor appointed for the process.  A certificate will be issued once the process has been undertaken.
• Healthcare part 2: the next step is to apply to your local CPAM office (caisses primaires d’assurance maladie) who will require a copy of your medical certificate.  The process includes the issue of a French social security number and subsequent medical card (carte vitale), meaning you are in the system and entitled to full healthcare in the same way as a French citizen.
• Note: the process for holders of an S1 certificate is different
• Titre de séjour:  In order to remain in France at the end of your 12 month long-stay visa for the next 12 months, you will need to apply for a titre de séjour (also called a carte de séjour).  This is an initial online procedure, followed by a visit to the prefecture. Many of the documents needed for your visa will again be needed for the titre de séjour, plus the OFII medical certificate and social security number.  Once you have your titre de séjour for 12 months, it can be renewed for additional yearly periods, and at the end of 5 years, a multi-year titre can be obtained. Click here for help and advice.

Property matters

Assuming you’re buying a property as part of your move to France, then there are a number of matters to consider and attend to:

• Surveys:  many people will tell you that it is not “normal” to undertake a detailed condition survey before buying a property in France, and whilst that is largely true of French buyers, that should not deter you from protecting your investment and ensuring you’re aware of any major faults with the property that could require costly renovations.  Similarly, if you’re looking to undertake any alterations (pool, extensions, conversions, etc), then it is useful to review local planning regulations to verify the feasibility of your project. Click here for help and advice.
• Property insurance:  It is a legal requirement that liability insurance (as a minimum) is in place at the time you complete the purchase.  Of course you’ll want to have buildings insurance too, and probably contents, but the liability cover is most important.  The notaire handling the purchase should ensure you are aware of the obligation, but do ensure you have taken steps in good time so that there is no last-minute rush! Click here for help and advice.
• Online tax account:  all French taxes are now dealt with online, including property taxes.  You need to set up such an account in order to complete various formalities and to obtain annual tax bills for the property, but also to make any ownership, accommodation details, and use of property declarations which are required from time to time. Click here for help and advice.
• Utilities and services:  make sure that all utilities are transferred to your name and that you have meter readings at the time of purchase to ensure accurate billing going forward. Click here for help and advice
• Driving licenses and vehicles: most foreign licences and vehicle registrations will need to be transferred to their French equivalents.  There are time limits for doing this, and some are short, so don’t get caught out and have to deal with fines if action is not taken in good time. Click here for help and advice

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