Yuval Bugajski runs The French Way, a relocation agency based in Paris specializing in helping expats move to France. From visa applications to healthcare enrollment to finding housing, he’s seen common mistakes that cost expats time, money, and stress. Here are the five errors he encounters most often
Many expats researching how to move to France underestimate what the first year actually costs. Before you even board your flight, you’ll have paid $259 for your visa center appointment in the US, €99 for the French consulate fee, and €325 to activate your visa upon arrival in France. Private medical insurance — mandatory for your visa application — runs €468 for the year if you’re under 60, or €549 if you’re between 61 and 75. Add to that French lessons (see Mistake #3), one to two months’ rent as a security deposit, and a few hundred euros for an accountant to handle your first French tax declaration.
Location adds another layer of complexity. Choosing the countryside to save on rent often means purchasing a car — and in some cases, attending driving school again to exchange a US license. Choosing a city for better access to public transportation and healthcare means significantly higher rent.
Underestimating the cost of moving to France is one of the most common mistakes expats make. Photo by Kampus Production
Your budget needs to account for both the upfront relocation costs listed above and your ongoing monthly living expenses. We always recommend using online resources to compare the cost of living in your target area, then adding 10% for unexpected expenses. Be realistic, not optimistic. If your calculations show France exceeds your budget, more affordable European countries like Portugal, Spain, or Greece may be worth considering.
Your budget needs to account for both the upfront relocation costs listed above and your ongoing monthly living expenses. Use online resources to compare monthly cost of living in your target area and add 10% for unexpected expenses. Be realistic, not optimistic. If your calculations show France exceeds your budget, consider more affordable European countries like Portugal, Spain, or Greece.
One of the most important steps when planning how to move to France is choosing the right region — and that requires an in-person visit, not just online research. The regional differences in France are substantial — access to medical services, climate, cultural attitudes toward foreigners, and ease of administrative integration can vary dramatically from one area to another. A neighborhood that feels charming during a summer holiday can feel isolating in February.
A scouting trip is essential. During your visit, explore local markets, talk to expats already living there, check public transportation routes, visit the local prefecture to get a sense of wait times, and explore neighborhoods beyond tourist areas. Pay attention to practical details: how far is the nearest English-speaking doctor, and is there an expat community large enough to ease your integration?
Skipping this step is one of the most costly mistakes Yuval encounters — not just financially, but in terms of time lost when clients realize after arriving that their chosen city or region doesn’t match their expectations.
A scouting trip is essential before committing to a region — regional differences in France can vary. Photo by ClickerHappy
Many expats researching how to move to France underestimate how essential French is for daily life. Even basic tasks — resolving administrative issues, dealing with landlords, or talking to the merchant at your local market — become significantly more difficult without it. Despite years of emphasizing this in consultations, clients continue to underestimate the language barrier. Start learning before you move, not after.
Reaching an A2 level before arrival should be the minimum goal. At that level, you can handle simple interactions and navigate basic administrative situations without being completely dependent on a translator. For most people, achieving A2 through an intensive course takes around six months — which means language learning should be one of the first items on your relocation checklist.
Learning French before your move is essential — an A2 level is the minimum recommended before arrival. Photo by Pixabay
Options include the Alliance Française, which offers structured courses both in the US and in France, or self-paced apps like Duolingo or Babbel for daily practice. The French Way also offers sessions with an in-house French teacher specifically tailored to expat life in France.
Many expats planning how to move to France are unaware that the popular Visiteur long-stay visa does not permit remote work, even for foreign employers. This is one of the most consequential mistakes expats make, and one of the least discussed.
The French administration most commonly discovers this through your annual French tax declaration, where you are required to report worldwide income including US work revenues. This directly violates visa conditions and can affect future renewals and long-term citizenship eligibility — consequences that far outweigh the short-term convenience of using the wrong visa.
If you run an online business or work remotely for a US employer, the entrepreneur visa is the appropriate pathway. The requirements and process are more involved than the Visiteur visa — book a consultation with The French Way to assess your specific situation before applying.
The Visiteur visa does not permit remote work — make sure you apply for the right visa before moving to France. Photo by fauxels
Understanding how to move to France as an EU passport holder includes knowing that France’s universal healthcare system is not immediately accessible upon arrival. While you can legally apply for PUMA after three months, enrollment is neither automatic nor immediate — processing times vary significantly by region and individual case.
In practice, we always recommend budgeting for at least six to twelve months of private medical insurance coverage to avoid gaps in healthcare access during the transition period. The cost and inconvenience of maintaining private insurance is far lower than the risk of being uninsured while your PUMA application is processed.
It takes some time to be accepted into the French healthcare system. Photo by Gustavo Fring
The French Way is a relocation and expat support agency located in Paris helping expats to make the most out of their relocation to France at any stage of their life. Contact us today and we'll be happy to help!
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