Things To Do Before Officially Moving to France
It is hard not to want to up-sticks and move to France. After all, the country offers beautiful scenery, an excellent healthcare system, fantastic culture, and great social welfare policies. Relocating to a new country is a big decision, that you should give plenty of thought and consideration. Here are 11 things to do before you decide to move to France.
Learn the Language
If you are going to live in France, you will need to learn French. Not everyone in France will speak English – and many will not want to do so, either. The French will often be much more welcoming if you have taken the time to learn their language – or at least know basic French. Try to master French phrases before you make a move, so you can quickly feel at home with your neighbors.
Brush Up on the Social Security System
It is vital you register to the French social security system as soon as possible, as this will provide you with immediate access to healthcare, employment, education, and welfare services across the country. It is vital to brush up on the social security system before you go, so you will know how to benefit from these services once you have relocated quickly.
Translate Key Documents
Before you start your new life in France, you should print several photocopies of necessary documents for all the family, such as birth certificates, passports, driving licenses, wills, pet visas, and marriage certificates. If possible, request for a registered translator to translate the documents into French, as the French authorities will often require both an original and translated copy.
Print Copies of Your Bank Statements
In addition to printing copies of your essential documents, you should also print recent bank statements. You should also request a letter from your bank that confirms your financial situation in the French language. This could be helpful if you must prove your current economic status, which you might need to do to obtain a mortgage or rent a property.
Pick an International Bank Account
It might not always be possible for an expat to open a bank account in France, which is why you should identify if your current bank offers international banking options. To do so, you might need to provide your bank with proof of your overseas residencies, such as a mortgage statement or utility bill. It could, therefore, be the easiest way to manage your finances for a short-term period as you relocate to France, so it could make the transition much smoother.
Secure Employment in France
Unless you intend to start a business in France, you would be wise to secure employment before you relocate. If you are traveling as a couple, one person might need to visit France to find work, while another keeps their job in the UK until they are ready to move.
Improve your chances of securing a job by writing a French resume and covering letter. You could also register with the local unemployment office to find employment quickly, even if it is just seasonal work or a short-term contract.
Arrange Accommodation
Of course, you will need a roof over our head when starting a new life in France. You cannot move to the country without one, either, as you cannot open a bank account, apply for a job, or register on the social security system without a fixed address. Renting a property might also be an intelligent decision, so you can adapt to your new home and embrace the culture. Once you feel happy with your new life in France, you can then commit to a mortgage.
Research the Best Schools
Moving to France as a family? You will need to discover the best schools for your children. You can learn more about the different education establishments by reviewing the brevet results of a college or lycée. These will offer an insight into the average exam results at each school. It is important to note that you cannot register your son or daughter for a school until you have officially moved to France. A local school might be happy for you to pay a visit to make an informed choice.
Seek Financial Advice
Starting a new life in France could potentially impact your finances. For instance, it could affect your pensions or investments. For this reason, you should seek financial advice before you make the big move, as an advisor can provide informative advice on how to organize and manage your finances before you relocate to France.
Tie Up Loose Ends
Moving overseas can be a little stressful, but it will be worth all the hard work and effort once you are living your dream life in a new country. Avoid stress by tying up loose ends in your hometown before you make a move. For instance, you might need to contact your bank, tax office, and utility companies to inform them you are starting a new life abroad. Not only will this help you close accounts and stop bills, but the companies might also be able to provide helpful advice.
Get to Grips with French Culture
Quickly adjust to your new home by getting to grips with French culture, as there are specific social rules and etiquette you will need to follow. For example, you must always address a stranger with “Monsieur” or “Madame” when asking for directions. Business and dating etiquette might also be slightly different to what you are used to, so you must adapt to avoid humiliation. For instance, the French commonly shake hands whenever they meet, especially when meeting someone for the first time. In fact, many colleagues often greet each other with a handshake at the start and end of the working day.
Have you successfully moved to France? Are you planning to move abroad in the future? Share your relocation tips and stories by posting a comment below.
If you are going to live in France, you will need to learn French. Not everyone in France will speak English – and many will not want to do so, either. The French will often be much more welcoming if you have taken the time to learn their language – or at least know basic French. Try to master French phrases before you make a move, so you can quickly feel at home with your neighbors.
Brush Up on the Social Security System
It is vital you register to the French social security system as soon as possible, as this will provide you with immediate access to healthcare, employment, education, and welfare services across the country. It is vital to brush up on the social security system before you go, so you will know how to benefit from these services once you have relocated quickly.
Translate Key Documents
Before you start your new life in France, you should print several photocopies of necessary documents for all the family, such as birth certificates, passports, driving licenses, wills, pet visas, and marriage certificates. If possible, request for a registered translator to translate the documents into French, as the French authorities will often require both an original and translated copy.
Print Copies of Your Bank Statements
In addition to printing copies of your essential documents, you should also print recent bank statements. You should also request a letter from your bank that confirms your financial situation in the French language. This could be helpful if you must prove your current economic status, which you might need to do to obtain a mortgage or rent a property.
Pick an International Bank Account
It might not always be possible for an expat to open a bank account in France, which is why you should identify if your current bank offers international banking options. To do so, you might need to provide your bank with proof of your overseas residencies, such as a mortgage statement or utility bill. It could, therefore, be the easiest way to manage your finances for a short-term period as you relocate to France, so it could make the transition much smoother.
Secure Employment in France
Unless you intend to start a business in France, you would be wise to secure employment before you relocate. If you are traveling as a couple, one person might need to visit France to find work, while another keeps their job in the UK until they are ready to move.
Improve your chances of securing a job by writing a French resume and covering letter. You could also register with the local unemployment office to find employment quickly, even if it is just seasonal work or a short-term contract.
Arrange Accommodation
Of course, you will need a roof over our head when starting a new life in France. You cannot move to the country without one, either, as you cannot open a bank account, apply for a job, or register on the social security system without a fixed address. Renting a property might also be an intelligent decision, so you can adapt to your new home and embrace the culture. Once you feel happy with your new life in France, you can then commit to a mortgage.
Research the Best Schools
Moving to France as a family? You will need to discover the best schools for your children. You can learn more about the different education establishments by reviewing the brevet results of a college or lycée. These will offer an insight into the average exam results at each school. It is important to note that you cannot register your son or daughter for a school until you have officially moved to France. A local school might be happy for you to pay a visit to make an informed choice.
Seek Financial Advice
Starting a new life in France could potentially impact your finances. For instance, it could affect your pensions or investments. For this reason, you should seek financial advice before you make the big move, as an advisor can provide informative advice on how to organize and manage your finances before you relocate to France.
Tie Up Loose Ends
Moving overseas can be a little stressful, but it will be worth all the hard work and effort once you are living your dream life in a new country. Avoid stress by tying up loose ends in your hometown before you make a move. For instance, you might need to contact your bank, tax office, and utility companies to inform them you are starting a new life abroad. Not only will this help you close accounts and stop bills, but the companies might also be able to provide helpful advice.
Get to Grips with French Culture
Quickly adjust to your new home by getting to grips with French culture, as there are specific social rules and etiquette you will need to follow. For example, you must always address a stranger with “Monsieur” or “Madame” when asking for directions. Business and dating etiquette might also be slightly different to what you are used to, so you must adapt to avoid humiliation. For instance, the French commonly shake hands whenever they meet, especially when meeting someone for the first time. In fact, many colleagues often greet each other with a handshake at the start and end of the working day.
Have you successfully moved to France? Are you planning to move abroad in the future? Share your relocation tips and stories by posting a comment below.
