Moving to France - US Version

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Thank you for buying this guide, and welcome to what may be one of the biggest changes of your life.

In recent years, a growing number of Americans have been looking across the Atlantic and asking a simple question: could life be better in France? For some, the answer is driven by lifestyle — healthcare, work-life balance, food, culture, or a slower pace of life. For others, it is practical: family ties, retirement, study, or professional opportunities. And for many, it is a mix of all of the above.

Whatever your motivation, you are far from alone. Applications from US nationals for long-stay visas and French residency cards have risen steadily, helped by improved air links, remote working possibilities, and a renewed interest in Europe as a place not just to visit, but to live. France, in particular, continues to attract Americans with its diversity of regions, relatively affordable healthcare, strong infrastructure, and quality of life.

But while France can be a welcoming country, it is also a highly administrative one. Rules are precise, paperwork matters, and assumptions based on American systems do not always translate easily. From visas and taxes to healthcare, housing, banking and inheritance law, the reality of settling in France can be both rewarding and complex.

This publication has been designed to walk you through the process of moving to France step by step — before you arrive, during your first months, and as you begin to put down roots. It brings together practical advice, legal context, cultural insight and an overview of all regions of France.

You do not need to read this guide from cover to cover in one go. Some sections will be immediately relevant; others may only become important months or even years down the line. 

Moving country is never just an administrative exercise — it is a personal journey. We hope this guide helps you approach it with confidence, clarity and realistic expectations.

We would also love to hear your feedback on your experience moving to France, or the guide. Please contact us via feedback@connexionfrance.com should you have any.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide at the time of publication, it is intended to provide general information only. Rules, thresholds and procedures in France — particularly around visas, tax, healthcare and property — can change, and individual circumstances vary widely. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal, tax, financial or professional advice. The Connexion cannot accept responsibility or liability for decisions made based on this information, and readers are strongly advised to seek independent, qualified advice for their specific situation.