General

• France is a European Union (EU) country, in the Schengen area, meaning that residents can travel to surrounding EU countries without a visa.
• Its currency is the Euro.
• Language Needs. The majority of French people speak only French. Assignees will need to learn basic French for daily needs such as shopping, directions, greetings, etc. English is spoken most widely in Paris and on the Riviera.
• Climate.  Most of France has a temperate climate. The south, adjoining the Mediterranean, has the hottest summer temperatures, usually reaching 30°C (86°F) or higher.
• Lifestyle. Assignees should expect a continental lifestyle, with light breakfasts, cafes offering outdoor seating, and a mixed butter-rich diet with plenty of vegetables and salads.

Housing

• When renting an apartment through a real estate agency (agence immobilière), assignees will pay agency fees. These fees are shared between the tenant and the landlord, with the tenant's portion capped at €12 per square metre.
• Leases. These are generally offered for up to a year, but fully-furnished apartments are sometimes available on a month-by-month basis.
• Foreigners generally need to provide proof of identity, address, income, and sometimes a guarantor. A dossier de location (rental file) is usually required, containing copies of essential documents.
• Insurance. Tenants must have multi-risk insurance (assurance multirisque habitation) before moving in. This is mandatory and covers personal liability and home protection.
• Deposit: A deposit of one month’s rent is required for unfurnished properties, while furnished rentals can require up to two months' rent.
• Tip. Rental agencies may shut down during August for vacation. If at all possible, avoid home searches during the August holiday month.

Legal Matters

• To live and work in France non-EU citizens need a long-stay visa (Visa de Long Séjour) and residence permit (Carte de Séjour).
• Non-EU nationals moving to France generally need to register with the prefecture de police to obtain a residence permit (Carte de Séjour).
• EU nationals should register their address with the local town hall within three months of arrival. They can choose optionally to apply for a full residence permit.
• Note. All residents in France are required to carry identification at all times.

Health Insurance

• Quality. France offers advanced and excellent health care facilities, especially in urban areas.
• France has a universal health insurance system, known as Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA). The system allows assignees to access free healthcare after three months’ residence.
• Free healthcare includes primary and specialist care, hospitalisation, emergency services and medications.
• Dental and Eye Care. These are partially covered by PUMA, with part-payment by patients.
• Many foreigners additionally take out Supplemental Insurance (Mutuelle), which allows shorter waiting times, and reimbursements for costs not covered by PUMA.
• The main private health insurers are Allianz France, CNP Assurances, and Macif.
• Not all doctors speak English, particularly outside of big cities.
• Emergencies. In emergencies, dial 112 for an ambulance.

Banking

• Assignees will not be able to open a bank account until they have official proof of residency – Carte de Sejour for non-EU residents, or proof of a French address (e.g. utility bill for EU nationals).
• Depending on the bank, also required may be proof of employment, such as a pay slip. Some may also require the assignee to have a French phone number.
• An in-person appointment is usually needed to open an account.
• Main French banks. These include BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale.
• French banks charge for basic services like cards and transfers.
• ATMs. These are generally free to use throughout France, so the assignee can still draw money from home accounts with relatively low charges.

Driving Licences

• Holders of an EU licence can drive in France for as long as the licence is valid. But it is recommended that it is exchanged for a French licence after a year.
• The exchange process is straightforward and involves submitting documents to the French Prefecture of Police or online through the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS).
• The documents needed for licence exchange include a copy of the original EU licence, proof of identity, proof of legal residence, and proof of address.
• Holders of most non-EU licences will be required to do a French driving test.
• It is best to register with a driving school, which can offer language assistance and can help with test preparation. Testing involves a theory test, practical test off the road, and practical test on the road. An eye test is also needed.
• The process takes at least a month, with a 2-week delay between tests.