How do you move to France without regretting it later? For many people, moving to France is a dream come true – not only for high salaries and a decent life, but also for developing their passions in a romantic European capital. The country is seen as extremely expat-friendly, full of great places, beautiful views and atmospheric cities.
But is moving to France really a good idea for everyone and is it always associated only with positive experiences? What does the organisation of the whole thing look like from a technical and formal point of view? Is it expensive and what awaits you on the spot? You will find the answers to all these questions in the following article.
How much does it cost to move to France?
How much it costs to move to France mainly depends on two factors: the rate for transporting your belongings and the price of renting a new flat. The first issue may be related to the amount of luggage you intend to transport. If you are only taking a small amount of luggage or light items with you, travelling by air will work perfectly. Airline tickets within the European Union are very cheap and buying extra suitcases is a small cost.
However, living in France may require you to take furniture from your flat with you as well, and this complicates things considerably and increases the cost of the whole thing. Hiring a furniture van for a journey of around 2,500 km is usually more than £5,000. Cheaper than this may be shipping a pallet or half-pallet on which you pack the most necessary things. With a weight of up to 100 kilograms, you may be able to send it by international courier for just over £1,000.
Moving to France: the flat
Moving to France obviously also involves finding accommodation. In most cases, estate agents and real estate agencies are responsible for renting. Finding accommodation for the long term usually requires a letter guaranteeing employment, usually with a declared salary.
Offers are divided into:
short-term rentals – usually up to a year and the flat is furnished and ready to move into;
long-term rentals – usually over 2 years, and the property may be empty and ready to be furnished.
Moving to France: cost of living
Moving to France also involves the cost of renting a flat, house or room. If you already have a job arranged and know how much your salary will be, pre-calculate what rate you are prepared to pay. Premises near the centres of larger cities cost around €1,000. If you look for something out of the way or in a less populated area, chances are you’ll find something cheaper by up to half.
Moving to France: studying
The French education system can be divided into the traditional university route and the prestigious Grande écoles, which usually deal with specific specialities. Both paths offer a high level of education, but you need to be able to communicate in French at least at a basic level. This is often the case even in courses that guarantee classes in English, for example.
Student life in France is full of challenges and preparing for a career. Particularly at specialised universities and practical courses, the course grid is full of project tasks, field activities or group work. It is worth noting that you have to pay for your studies, but in the case of public universities, the rates are not very high (about €170 for a year of bachelor’s studies, about €250 for a master’s degree). About twice as high prices apply to technical schools, and even several times higher prices apply at private universities.
