Moving abroad is, above all, a matter of planning ahead: visa applications, admin formalities, health cover, housing and budget all need to be tackled well before your departure date. According to the official guide published by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you should start preparing at least 6 months before you leave.
Know Your Destination Before You Go
Before anything else, do your homework on the host country:
- Cost of living: housing, food, transport, school fees if applicable. The differences between countries and cities can be substantial.
- Visa and residence permit: processing times can stretch to several months. Contact the relevant embassy or consulate as early as possible.
- Language and culture: even a basic level in the local language makes a real difference to daily life and professional integration.
- Local healthcare system: quality of facilities, waiting times, price levels. This information will determine what level of cover you actually need.
Where to Find Reliable Information
The France Diplomatie expat guide (updated 31 March 2026) offers country-by-country fact sheets covering entry requirements and consular contacts. Online expat communities (forums and groups) are a useful complement to these official sources.
Plan Your Expat Budget
A successful move abroad starts with a realistic financial projection, broken down into two phases.
Before departure:
- Flights and shipping costs for personal belongings
- Deposit and first month’s rent
- Visa fees and document legalisation
Once you are settled:
- Rent, bills and food based on the local cost of living
- International health insurance (see the dedicated section below)
- Money transfers back to France if needed (compare platform fees)
Make sure you also notify your French bank of your departure and look into opening a local account.
Get my expat insurance quoteKey Admin Steps You Cannot Afford to Skip
This is often the most time-consuming part of the process. Here is what you need to stay on top of:
Identity Documents
Check that your passport is still valid – some countries require 6 months’ validity beyond the end of your stay. If you need to renew it for the first time or after a long gap, start the process 3 to 4 months before departure.
Consular Registration
Registering on the register of French nationals established outside France at the relevant consulate is free. It makes local admin easier (powers of attorney, civil status documents, voting) and means you can be located in a crisis.
Tax Situation
Changing your tax residency means notifying the French tax authorities. Depending on the country, bilateral tax treaties may apply to prevent double taxation. Speak to an accountant or specialist tax adviser before you leave: the rules vary considerably depending on your situation (posted employee, self-employed, retired…).
Driving Licence
Some countries accept a French driving licence; others require you to convert it locally. Check with the consulate of your host country.
Sorting Your Housing and the Move
- Housing: if at all possible, line up temporary accommodation before you leave (Airbnb, short-stay residences, staying with someone you know) while you search for a permanent home on the ground.
- Removals: get several quotes from companies specialising in international shipping. Check the customs regulations of your host country regarding personal effects.
- Storage: if you do not want to take everything with you, renting a storage unit in France means you can avoid making hasty decisions about your belongings.
Protecting Your Health Abroad: The Critical Piece
This is often the most underestimated part of the preparation – yet it can have serious financial consequences.
What Stops When You Leave
As soon as you establish your habitual residence abroad, your affiliation to the French social security system (Sécurité sociale) comes to an end. You are no longer covered for medical treatment, even if you are still contributing on a transitional basis.
The CFE: An Option, But Not Enough on Its Own
The Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE) lets you maintain social security-style cover while living abroad, with 2025 contributions ranging from €196 to €847 per quarter depending on your age. It covers consultations, hospital stays, medication and maternity care, reimbursed at French social security rates.
What it does not cover: dental care, optical treatment and, crucially, medical repatriation. A medical repatriation can run to tens of thousands of euros, depending on the destination and the severity of your condition.
What Should You Arrange?
A suitable international health insurance policy covers treatment at actual costs in your host country, medical repatriation and, depending on the plan, dental and optical care. To choose the right option for your situation, read our guide on choosing expat health and repatriation insurance.
To understand the specific guarantees included in an expat insurance policy, including what sets it apart from a standard long-stay travel insurance policy, read our dedicated page.
Settling In After Arrival
Moving in is not just about unpacking boxes. Integration takes time and energy:
- Build a network: join expat associations, sports clubs or local professional groups. The first few weeks can feel isolating without an active social circle.
- Learn the local language: even in an English-speaking context, a few words of the local language go a long way with neighbours, officials and shopkeepers.
- Embrace local customs: social codes, pace of life, professional practices… adapting does not mean abandoning your own culture.
Keeping Your Ties With France
- Stay on top of your French tax obligations if your situation requires it (French-source income, property ownership…).
- Set up powers of attorney for any admin you cannot handle remotely.
- Keep access to your French bank accounts to avoid them being closed automatically.
If your project is a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), our 10 tips for planning your working holiday will give you additional advice tailored to that specific situation.
FAQ
When Should I Start Preparing for My Move Abroad?
You should start the process at least 6 months before your departure. Some formalities – particularly the long-stay visa, finding accommodation or opening a bank account abroad – can take several months. Allow an additional 3 to 4 months if you need to renew your passport for the first time.
Should I Cancel My French Health Insurance Before I Leave?
Not necessarily on your own initiative: your affiliation to the French social security system ends automatically once you no longer have a residence in France. However, make sure you take out international health cover before you leave to avoid any gap in protection.
Is the CFE Enough to Be Properly Covered Abroad?
The CFE provides a base level of reimbursement pegged to French social security rates, but it does not cover medical repatriation, dental care or optical treatment. In many countries, local medical fees far exceed French reimbursement rates, leading to significant out-of-pocket costs. Supplementary international health insurance is generally recommended alongside it.
Do I Need to Inform the French Tax Authorities of My Departure?
Yes. You must notify your local tax office of your change of residency. Depending on your host country, a tax treaty may apply. Without one, you may still be taxed in France on certain income even while living abroad. Seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Is It Compulsory to Register With the Consulate?
Consular registration is not legally required for French nationals, but it is strongly recommended. It gives you easier access to consular services (passport renewal, civil status documents, voting) and means you can be contacted in the event of a crisis or consular emergency in your host country.
What Is Medical Repatriation and Why Does It Matter?
Medical repatriation means being transported, in a medically supervised setting, from your location to a suitable care facility, in France or elsewhere. Depending on the destination and the seriousness of your condition, the cost can run to tens of thousands of euros. It is not covered by the CFE or most standard French health insurance plans: only an international health insurance policy with a repatriation guarantee will cover it.
