Moving to France in 2026

Moving to France: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of many countries visit France visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, and others need a Schengen visa. To live in France you obtain a long-stay visa at a French consulate, with a €99 fee, about $111. Grounds: the talent passport for specialists, founders and investors, the visitor visa for living on your own means, study, employment or family.

1. Days 1-30. Rent a home, open a bank account, get a French SIM card. A long-stay visa that serves as a residence permit is validated online within 3 months of entry.
2. Days 30-90. Talent passport holders collect the card at the prefecture. After 3 months of living in France you can join the public health insurance scheme.
3. After a year. Renewal or a switch to a multi-year card: apply online within the 2 months before expiry.

By law the deposit on a furnished flat is capped at two months' rent. Rents in Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lille are noticeably lower than in Paris. A family budget depends on its size and the residence ground; we calculate it in the chat. Exchange rate: about $1.12 per euro on 5 October 2026.

France at a glance

France is one of the largest economies in the European Union, with about 68 million residents. The capital is Paris, and other major centres are Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nice and Lille. The country is in the European Union and the Schengen area, the currency is the euro and the language is French, without which life and dealing with authorities are noticeably harder.

The economy rests on aerospace, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, energy, agriculture and wine, and France is the world's most visited country. In return for high taxes the state provides strong healthcare, free schools and universities and a developed social system.

Who the move suits

• professionals earning from €39,582 a year, researchers and start-up founders, who can get the talent passport for up to 4 years;
• investors putting €300,000 into a French company;
• people with passive income who want to live in France without working;
• families who value free schools, healthcare and a path to European Union citizenship after 5 years.

It is harder for those not ready to learn French: from 2026 citizenship requires an upper-intermediate level.

Entry rules and visas

Citizens of many countries visit France visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, and others need a Schengen visa. To live in France you obtain a long-stay visa at the consulate for a €99 fee, about $111. After arrival the visa is validated or a residence card is issued at the prefecture, and the first talent card has cost €350, about $393, since 1 May 2026.

Residence options

• The talent passport - residence for up to 4 years straight away for professionals earning from €39,582 gross a year, researchers, founders and investors from €300,000, with the family receiving status alongside the applicant.
• The start-up visa - the same talent passport for a founder if the economy ministry recognises the project as innovative, with personal resources from €22,404 a year.
• The entrepreneur card - for 1 year for your own business earning at least the minimum wage.
• The visitor visa - for living on your own means without the right to work, with income of about €17,735 a year, about $19,880.
• Study and family - separate grounds for students and spouses of citizens or residents.

We choose the basis for your income, project or capital, prepare the documents for the consulate and prefecture and guide the family through every stage.

Rules for specific nationalities

Some rules in France depend on the passport.

• Russia. Since November 2025 European Union countries have mostly issued single-entry Schengen visas to Russian citizens, and French banks check Russian citizens more strictly.

Taxes

Income tax runs from 0 to 45% on a progressive scale, calculated per family quotient share, so families with children pay less. Since 2026 capital income has been taxed at a flat 31.4%. Corporate tax is 25%, 15% on the first part of profit for small businesses, and VAT is 20%. You become a tax resident if your main home, work or centre of economic interests is in France, and more than 183 days a year almost always means residence. More in taxes in France.

Cost of living

The rate is about 1.12 dollars per euro on 6 October 2026. Rent in Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lille is well below Paris, and on the Riviera prices rise in summer because of tourists.

Property for foreigners

There are no nationality restrictions: a foreigner buys a flat, house or villa on the same terms as a French citizen. A notary handles the deal, and the buyer's fees and taxes are about 7-8% of the price for resale and 2-3% for new builds. After signing the preliminary contract the buyer has 10 days to withdraw. Property tax is paid annually, and real estate worth more than €1.3 million is subject to the real estate wealth tax. A purchase does not by itself grant residence. We find the property and close the deal.

Permanent residence and citizenship

A 10-year resident card is granted after 5 years of legal residence. Citizenship by naturalisation also comes after 5 years, after 2 years following a French university degree, and for spouses of citizens after 4 years of marriage. From 1 January 2026 French at B2 level, spoken and written, and a mandatory 40-question civic exam are required, and the naturalisation fee is €255, about $290. France allows dual citizenship. More on the French citizenship page.

Companies, banks, daily life

A company is registered online in one to two weeks, and a small business can use the micro-entrepreneur regime with simplified contributions. Banks open an account once you have a residence permit and an address. After 3 months of residence you can join the public health insurance, and schools and universities are free. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.