Here at The Local we’re an Anglo-American team living in France – which means all of us have been through the simultaneously exciting and terrifying process of moving countries.

This newsletter is aimed at people who are in the process of moving, have recently moved and are still grappling with the paperwork or perhaps are just thinking about it – and we share a monthly selection of practical tips. Our team is also available to answer questions from subscribers to The Local.

Visa applications

The French immigration system can be complicated – in actual fact, most countries’ immigration processes are somewhat labyrinthine – so it’s easy to make a mistake, especially if this is your first experience of moving countries.

At The Local, we often hear from readers struggling to navigate the French systems – or who end up accidentally on the wrong track for residency. Here are some of the most common errors and sources of confusion.

10 common French visa and residency permit mistakes

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Health insurance

If you are looking to move to France and you do not hold EU citizenship, then you will first need a visa.

For several types of visas, including the ‘Visiteur’ status which is common among retirees and second-home owners, it is necessary to show that you have health coverage for the duration of your stay.

If you come from a country that does not have a bilateral agreement with France, or does not provide state medical care – like the United States – then you will need a private health insurance policy that covers the duration of your visa. Here’s what you need to know

How to find health insurance for your French visa

Driving

If you plan to live permanently in France, sooner or later you are likely to need to swap your driving licence for a French one – but where you learned to drive in the first place could dictate whether you have to take a French driving test. Here’s a country-by-country breakdown of the rules.

How hard is it to swap your driving licence for a French one?

France is slowly moving more and more of the mighty edifice of its bureaucracy online, which for many people is welcomed as more convenient than spending hours in queues at préfectures.

Processes like tax declarations, residency cards or driving licence swaps are now almost entirely dématerialisée (online). And, while foreigners in France are facing numerous issues when using the ANEF admin website, it’s not all bad news. There is help out there…

How to get help with France’s online bureaucracy

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Bringing pets to France

Animal-loving Americans may wonder if they can bring their beloved pets with them when they travel to France – whether to live permanently or to stay for an extended period.

The short answer is: Yes, you can.

The longer answer is: Yes, you can – but there are rules and paperwork. 

The longer answer, with a full explanation, is just a click away.

Paperwork and shots: How to bring a pet to France from the US

Any Questions?

The Local’s Reader Questions section covers questions our members have asked us and is a treasure trove of useful info on all kinds of practical matters. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, head here to leave us your questions.

Bon courage !