Cutting ties with the US

US citizens can move to France, obtain a long-stay visa, and eventually stay in the country as their permanent home.

However, it is important to note that whether you are a temporary or permanent resident in France, as a US citizen (dual national or otherwise), it is your responsibility to ensure you continue to observe important federal obligations, as well as other considerations.

A brief recap

US citizens must first apply for a long-stay visa specific to their requirements in order to stay in France. Once established you can then apply for a carte de séjour valid for a specific period dependent on personal circumstances, and these cards are renewable several times.

After five years of staying in France on a number of cartes de séjour, you will usually be eligible to apply for a carte de résident (long-term residence permit), typically valid for ten years. 

Once you have this, you can, if you wish, apply for French citizenship through naturalization which involves demonstrating an understanding of French culture, laws, politics, and language (you will need to show you have level B2; advanced intermediate). 

France does not require the renunciation of other citizenships, and US law also does not require citizens to renounce their US citizenship when naturalizing in another country.

Note, however, that there are various factors to weigh up regarding dual-national status.

Renouncing US citizenship is a separate and purely voluntary process.

Though French citizenship is not necessary to be a permanent resident in France, it allows freedom of access to French and EU services including the right to vote and participate in French politics, freedom of movement within the EU, and the ability to hold public office.

US Federal obligations and other considerations

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs outlines a helpful list of federal obligations for US citizens abroad.

IRS and taxes

US citizens are taxed on their worldwide income, even when they live abroad.

As such, you are obliged to comply with US tax laws. 

Many Americans living abroad qualify for special tax benefits, such as the foreign earned income exclusion (to avoid double taxation) and foreign tax credit, but can only obtain them by filing a US return, which requires declaration of income worldwide. 

It is recommended that you inform the IRS of your status as soon as possible by officially updating your address using Form 8822, in addition to when you file your annual return. 

Banking / personal pensions

If you want to keep your US banking/personal pension accounts open, be aware that most will require a physical US domestic address in order to do so (see ‘Mail forwarding services’ below). 

Social Security Administration / state pension and other benefits

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) assists those who live outside the US or who plan to leave the country. You will need to let the OEIO know you are living abroad by completing forms SSA-7161 and SSA-7162. 

Be aware that if you receive Retirement, Survivors, or Disability Insurance benefits and you are leaving (or have already left) the United States, your payments may be affected. 

Note too that the SSA’s online service my Social Security account can now be accessed by those without a US mailing address, which until recently was a compulsory requirement.

Medicare

You can keep Medicare while living abroad though be aware that this does not cover healthcare costs outside the US. 

If you have moved permanently, you should decide whether to keep Medicare Parts A and B, and inform them if you plan to cancel or change your coverage.

If you choose to cancel, know that you will require travel insurance when returning to the US to cover any potential healthcare costs that may be incurred.

Mail forwarding services

If you leave a physical US address permanently and wish to receive your mail in hard copy at an address in France, the United States Postal Service has international mail forwarding services.

You can, alternatively, choose a private company to forward it to you. 

There is also the option of setting up a traditional PO box in the US as a forwarding address, though this requires organising someone you trust to physically retrieve your mail on your behalf.

If you maintain a physical US address (ie. not a PO box), you can opt for a virtual mailbox service which provides digital access to hard copy mail, allowing you to receive, view, and manage your US mail online (they can also forward packages internationally). 

Global Mail offers a virtual mailbox service as a certified partner of the United States Postal Service.