For a permanent retirement there you will require a Long Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour). You must apply before you move to France, via the French Consulate in London. There are various types of long stay visa. Most retirees opt for a Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour – Visiteur (VLS-Visiteur).
If you are retiring to France, you will need a visa that proves you have a minimum level of income – this can be supplemented with savings and investments you can draw on.
Who can retire in France? Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland will not need a visa. Non-EU citizens, however, must apply for a French visa before entering the country.
We speak to the economist who calculated the monthly income needed for couples, families, single or retired people. An economist at a leading research body says €1,634 a month for a single person, or €2,540 for a retired couple.
If you plan on retiring in France, you'll find that gaining permanent residency is easier than you imagined. Like many countries in Europe, France grants residency to foreigners who can prove they can take care of themselves financially.
Another option is the visitor visa. This visa allows you to live in France even though you don't have a French spouse, a job or plans to study. You'll need a letter explaining how you intend to spend your time in France, proof you can support yourself without work and proof of medical insurance.
Non-EU citizens who want to settle permanently in the French territory must apply for and obtain a d visa (long-stay visa). France issues different types of long-stay visas that you must obtain depending on the purpose of your entry to French territory.
No figures are provided by the French Consulate service of what level of savings can be taken into account, but it is likely to be at least 5 times the annual minimum income requirement (so €1,219 per month x 12 months x 5 years = €79,740).
Salary for a comfortable life in France
Earning around 3,200 euros per month is considered a good income for individuals or 5,600 euros for a family of three. This amount takes into account the cost of living and allows you to cover your basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and leisure activities.
Which European country is easiest to retire in? Greece and Malta are some of the easiest and best places to retire in Europe, as they have large English-speaking communities. Other European destinations that are also suitable for retirement are Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
Besides Nice, Cannes, Port Grimaud and St Tropez are all charming retirement destinations and attract the rich and famous of France and the rest of Europe every year. Provence is another one of the best places to retire in France.
Getting Residency in France
You can buy a property in France without being a citizen however you'll need to get a Visa to live in the country and then go through the process of applying for permanent residency.
For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay vis. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Whatever the duration of your planned stay, the duration of your long-stay visa must be between three months and one year.
Affordable cost of living in Portugal
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living in Portugal is 35.25% less than in France, and 31.89% cheaper than in Germany.
France is about 1.5 times bigger than Germany but with a population 20% smaller. In effect, it has a larger rural area with less people to populate it. And as more and more people relocate to cities, more houses are being added to the market—often at bargain prices.
Resilient property market in France
During 2021, house prices increased by an average of +5.9% across the whole of France. FNAIM, the trade body for Real Estate agents in France has predicted that house prices will continue to rise in 2022 (by an average of +3.5%).
it is still perfectly possible to move to France in 2023. If you are a UK National you can stay in France more than 90 days at a time. It is still possible for UK nationals (like Canadians, Americans & Australians) to live in France for 1 year to 4 years and also apply for permanent French Residency.
The average gross salary in Paris after taxes is around €3,921/month. But it is possible to live in Paris from €1,500/month by living in shared housing.
Yes, it's possible to open a bank account in France as a foreigner. But what kind of account you can open depends on whether you're a resident or a non-resident.
Application: If you still live in the US, you have to apply for a visa at the French consulate in the US. Once you arrive in France, validate your visa online within 3 months. If you already live in France, you need to apply at the prefecture in the city of your residence for a change of status.
But, if you live in bigger cities like Paris, work in an international company where the business language is English, or study in an English-taught program, you can live in France without speaking French. Especially those who'll live in France for a short time won't struggle.
Many people who move to France do so without being able to speak any French. Although it might be acceptable for certain professions, most expats will find that their having more fun as they pick up the language. Generally, people develop their language skills out of necessity.