{"id":27769,"date":"2022-06-21T11:29:10","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T08:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-assurance.com\/?p=27769"},"modified":"2022-06-28T12:08:02","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T09:08:02","slug":"moving-france-from-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-assurance.com\/en\/expatriation\/moving-france-from-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving to France from the UK: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Moving to another country can be overwhelming, if not downright scary. Whether you\u2019ve decided to move from the UK to France for a new job or personal reasons, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different practicalities involved in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many things to consider when relocating to another country, such as the cost of living, renting an apartment, opening a bank account, or getting a SIM card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to move to France from the UK, not knowing where to start, you\u2019ve come to the right place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will dig into the entire process of moving from the UK to France, guiding you with detailed information about the cost of living, healthcare system, renting an apartment, or opening a bank account.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything You Need to Know About Living in France<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

France is the second most popular relocation destination for British nationals, with 150,000 Brits living there. However, after Brexit, British citizens can no longer move freely to France. This means that the relocation process has gotten more complex. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving from the UK to France now requires even more preparation than before, and there are many things you should consider before and after the big move. Let\u2019s cover the most important ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost of living in France <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

France can be an expensive country to live in, especially if you live in Paris. But there are many ways to reduce expenses while still enjoying all the country has to offer. First of all, you need to research how much it costs to live in France and prepare accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of living in France compared to the UK is very similar. According to Numbeo<\/a>, rent prices in Paris are up to 31.67% lower than in London. However, the cost of groceries in Paris is estimated to be 26.14% higher than in London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that while you\u2019ll likely spend less on your rent than you did back in the UK, you\u2019ll probably spend more on your weekly shopping trip to the Monoprix (the most popular supermarket chain in France). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the cost of living is not that high everywhere. For example, the cost of living in the south of France – let\u2019s take Nice, for instance – is estimated to be around 11.5% lower than in Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as much as we\u2019d like, we cannot give you the exact prices of living in France in this guide, as they vary considerably depending on the region and the city you\u2019ll be living in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, we recommend you to check them on Numbeo<\/a> by selecting the city you\u2019re relocating to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French healthcare system overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The public health care system in France is financed through social security contributions paid by employers, employees and the state. All citizens and residents have access to the same level of care regardless of their income or employment status. Because of this, the French healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French government provides healthcare to its citizens through a national insurance scheme that offers universal coverage. The scheme covers almost 75% of all medical expenses in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remaining costs are covered by supplementary private insurance plans purchased by individuals who want additional benefits not provided in their basic plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All French citizens are required to have some form of health insurance, whether governmental or private. As of 2016, foreigners residing in France have access to PUMA – Protection Universelle Maladie – a new healthcare system designed with foreigners in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real estate market in France<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re moving to France, you\u2019re likely considering either a long-term rental or buying an apartment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-term rentals in France <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rent will likely become your most expensive living cost in France, especially if you plan on living in the French capital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paris is known for its tiny studio apartments, which can be as small as 8m2! Despite the microscopic size, these apartments tend to cost no less than \u20ac600 (\u00a3510) per month. The average monthly rent for a bigger, one-bedroom apartment in Paris oscillates between \u20ac900 (\u00a3765) to \u20ac1,200 (\u00a31,025), or more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like to rent a two- or three-bedroom apartment, expect to pay \u20ac2,000 (\u00a31,710) per month or even more, depending on the location and size of the property. You may find something more affordable outside the city centre and in the Parisian suburbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since the real estate market in Paris is very saturated, the rent prices there are the highest in the country. You\u2019ll also need to prepare relevant documents to rent an apartment, such as your bank statements, proof of income, and employment contract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you plan on living in another city, the rent prices will likely be much lower, and it\u2019ll also be easier to rent an apartment long-term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a property in France<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a house in France is a big step, both financially and emotionally. The French property market can be tricky to navigate, especially for non-French speakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To buy a house in France, you need to get familiar with the country\u2019s real estate market. The first step is to find out about the average price of properties available on the market, which vary considerably. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second step would be finding out about the property tax laws so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not investing in a house is a good option for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also need to consider the likelihood of getting a loan. This will depend on many factors, such as your country of origin, earnings, and residential status in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to find a property for rent or sale in France?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be asking yourself: where do I find apartments to rent or properties to buy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning on buying a house in France, turning to a real estate agent for help is the best option. They can assist you not only in finding the right property for you but also in preparing the paperwork and other legal procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few high-quality real estate agencies in France are Guy Hoquet, Century 21, and IMMO de France. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you\u2019re looking for an apartment to rent, you can use one of the following websites: <\/p>\n\n\n\n