Why you shouldn’t move to France: 9 Things to consider

As someone who moved to France myself 10+ years ago, I must say that I cannot imagine living anywhere else. But at the time I was young and unmarried, and frankly, I was not planning on staying in France beyond a year or two. (How things change!)

With experience, I can say however it isn’t always the rosy view that expat writers in Paris love to proclaim. There are quite a few practicalities to think about before making the move. So let’s get to it, shall we? Allons-y!

No remote work visa

Before thinking about any move to France, the first thing to think about is what exactly you are going to do once here.

And no, you simply cannot continue to work remotely for the same employer in your country of origin. France does not offer digital nomad visas, but more importantly, it does not have a tax regime where digital nomads can work remotely.

Foreign firms hiring a person residing in France must sign up for URSAFF and pay social security and patronal taxes hovering between 25%-43% of the person’s gross salary.

Even if you have an EU passport, any company hiring you for remote work must be registered into the French system and pay the corresponding taxes.

So on a €100k salary, the charges to the employer would be €43k on top of the salary paid for a total of €143k cost to the employer.

As you can imagine, the high taxes and complicated paperwork makes foreign firms quite reluctant to go down that route, unless they have already a base in France.

High taxes

France has the highest taxes in the world beating out Denmark and Belgium. And if you are a French resident, these taxes apply to your “worldwide income and assets”.

Income taxes

The country has a progressive income tax system, with rates climbing up to 45% for high earners. Add to that mandatory social contributions of around 17% of your gross income.

Wealth taxes

French residents are subject to an annual wealth tax known as the IFI.

If the net taxable value of your worldwide real estate assets is greater than €1.3 million, wealth taxes of 0.5-1.5% will apply. (A 30% reduction applies to your principal residence in France, assuming you own your property).

Until 2018 the wealth tax applied to all worldwide assets, not just real estate. Currently various French political parties are threatening to reinstate those taxes.

Inheritance taxes

If you are an older retiree, you should also know about inheritance tax, otherwise known as droits de succession (rights of succession).

All worldwide assets are subject to French inheritance tax, and the general rate varies between 55-60%. There are some tax-free allowances, but in general this is limited to €100,000 per child or parent.

France has very strict rules about how inheritance is divided. In general, half goes to the legal spouse while the other half is divided amongst the defunct’s children.

If you are not legally married to your partner or have children from a previous marriage and/or stepchildren, this becomes quite complicated.

For example, a portion of your principal residence could be left to an adult child from your 1st marriage, complicating things for your spouse from your 2nd marriage.

The general rule is you cannot disinherit a child, and in cases, notaries will even hire detectives to make sure that the defunct did not have any heritiers that the notary is unaware of.

Using options like nvestment vehicles like trusts, etc. have tax reporting requirements and may or may not be allowed. If you have substantial assets, get advice from French legal and accounting professionals before making the move.

VAT taxes

In addition to high personal income taxes, France also has a Goods and Services tax (VAT) of 20%.

If you are planning on coming to France on a fixed income, you should make sure that your net income after taxes will be sufficient for you to live on.

Getting a local job

If you cannot get your current employer to continue hiring you remotely, you may be considering finding a job locally.

However, finding a job in France as a foreigner is notoriously difficult. The market favors locals, and most jobs demand fluent French.

The country’s strict labor laws make employers hesitant to hire, especially for permanent roles where it is quite difficult to fire people.

Many professions (doctor, architect, electrician, baker, etc.) require formal recognition of your qualifications, a process that can take months or even years.

Running a business

If you are not planning on getting a job, but instead running your own business in France, this too comes with its own set of challenges.

While the idea of starting a business in a picturesque French town might sound appealing, the reality includes heavy taxes, strict labor regulations, and lots of paperwork.

The bureaucracy here is famous for its rules and regulations with tax returns, audits, inspections, legal hurdles and plethora of accounting requirements. Many foreigners find the system overwhelming.

Residence permits

Unless you are a citizen of the European Union, you will need a residence permit to stay in France. Securing a visa or permit involves countless forms, proofs of income, birth and marriage certificates, health insurance, and more.

The process is lengthy and confusing, with rules that change frequently. I found that there was always some document that was not on the “official list”, but that the government agent wanted anyway.

Even after getting the initial residence permit, any renewals can be equally bureaucratic. There are long lines depending where in France you are based, and the whole process can feel never-ending.

Housing, driving, and settling in

Renting a home in France is another daunting process. Landlords often require extensive documentation, such as proof of income, bank statements, titre de sejours, etc.

In larger cities like Paris, not only do they usually want to see local income, they also want to see that you earn a minimum of 3 times rent as a salary. (Other forms of income are less kindly viewed upon.)

In addition, they may ask for a local guarantor, who will pay rent in case you fail to do so. There are agencies and banks you can pay to act as a guarantor for you, but there is a cost to it.

Driving in France can also be complicated for newcomers, especially since obtaining a French driver’s license may require retaking the driving test.

Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces offer a driver’s license exchange, but only within the 1st year of French residence.

And then there are all the other labyrinthine bureaucracies like setting up bank accounts, utilities, and health insurance.

Speaking French

Although English is widely spoken in tourist areas, real integration in France requires a decent fluency in French. Official documents, government websites, and most job applications are in French.

Without strong language skills, daily activities like shopping, setting up utilities, or visiting the doctor can become really challenging.

Moving with children

Relocating with children presents its own set of challenges.

For younger children, finding a spot in a local crèche (daycare) can be particularly difficult due to limited availability. Spots are prioritized for children who have both parents working in France.

Language barriers can also be difficult for children adapting to a new environment, especially if they don’t speak French fluently.

If you plan on sending your child to a private international school where the main language is English, be aware that annual fees can hover between €20k-€30k per year per child.

French cultural differences and school expectations can also require significant adjustments. Public schools and private catholic schools are much stricter in France than in North America, making the transition difficult for middle-school and high-school age children.

Difficulties making friends

French people tend to form close-knit social circles early in life (school, university, etc.), leaving little room for newcomers.

Foreigners often find that making friends in France can be challenging. Breaking into these circles requires patience, language fluency, and cultural understanding.

As a result, many expats find themselves socializing primarily with other expats.

As with anything, setting in France requires a concentrated effort. So if you are still ready to come, bienvenue en France!