Learn everything you need to know when buying a home in France – including locations, process, visa, and more – in this guide!
Stunning location up and down the country.
Taxes, legal requirements, visas.
Upscore’s French Finance Passport lets you apply for mortgages remotely and with multiple lenders.
How to source and purchase the home of your dreams.
Getting involved with the community
See yourself living in central Paris or renting out some property in Lyon? Our simple guide takes you through the whole process from start to finish – everything from the best cities to choose to property prices.
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You’re usually able to drive for a year on most non‑EU licences if you’re a tourist. But you need an official translation or an International Driving Permit. And then after settling, the exchange rules vary a bit by country. Some swap your paperwork at the prefecture, while you’ve got to do another practical test for others.
Yes, unless you’ve got EU/EEA citizenship. Most newcomers start with a long‑stay visa which is valid for a year and renewable at your prefecture. It also doubles as a residence permit and allows work. Apply from your home country, but bring: - Proof of income - Health insurance - Accommodation - The usual recent passport photos
Costs swing wildly between Paris and rural villages. It’s roughly €1,500 monthly for a basic Paris studio plus transport, groceries, phone, etc. You can cut that in half in many provincial towns. Healthcare is affordable after registering, but private mutuelle top‑ups add €50-€80. Factor in a hefty security deposit upfront plus insurance.
Expect slower administrative processes and lengthy lunch breaks. Conversation style is a bit more formal - bonjour before anything else - and you’ll notice a strict work‑life separation. Strikes happen at times, so shrug and plan another route if it affects you. Finally, learn to greet everyone with la bise or a polite handshake.
Frankly, yes. Everyone from bank clerks and electricians to civil servants operate in French. We can connect you with translators for the bureaucratic stuff, but you’ll find it hard to fully assimilate into French culture if you don’t speak even basic French.
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