To get French residency, you generally need income exceeding the French minimum wage (SMIC), around €1,800-€2,100+ monthly (€21,600+ annually) for a single person, depending on the visa type (like the Financially Independent Person visa), with higher amounts for families or specific permits (e.g., Talent Passport), often requiring proof of savings/passive income like pensions, rent, or investments, and health insurance.
Must earn at least the minimum wage of €1,766.92 (~$1,899) in gross income per month from non-French sources. Lasts up to one year and is eligible for indefinite renewal, as long as you meet the requirements.
The cost of living in France is certainly not as cheap as it used to be. The French government advises that a single person will need at least €1,800 euros per month to move to France and live comfortably (and €3,600 euros per month for a couple).
The France Talent Passport allows investors to gain residency in France by investing a minimum of €300,000 in the economy, with potential approval within three months. This program offers a renewable four-year residence permit for the investor and their family, including spouses and children under 18.
To get an EU long-term resident card in France, applicants must prove:
Residency: As a United States citizen, you can visit France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Buying property does not automatically grant residency rights.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
Although lifestyle varies widely across France, most British retirees find that 2,200 to 3,000 euros per month for a couple provides a comfortable standard of living outside Paris or the Côte d'Azur. However, the key is not only how much income you need, but how efficiently and predictably you receive it.
Buying property in France does not grant automatic residency. You must still apply for a visa or residence permit if you plan to stay for more than 90 days at a time.
The 15 July 2025 decree on residence permits
It rewrites the conditions of “republican integration” for long-term statuses by requiring proof of A2-level French for a first multi-annual residence card and B1-level French for a first resident card, in both cases through recognised diplomas or certifications.
To live comfortably in France, you'll likely need at least €1,800 – €2,000 per month to live in Paris and around €1,400 – €1,700 in other metropolitan cities.
Is there an income test for moving to France post Brexit? When you apply for your visa, you must provide various documents as well as proof that you have sufficient income. As a guide, income should be equivalent to the 'SMIC' (minimum wage in France) €1231 net per month.
Proof of Sufficient Income: You must show regular, stable passive income such as pensions, annuities, or investment returns. The official France retirement visa income requirement in 2025 is at least €1,400 per month for the main applicant, though this can vary slightly depending on the consulate or prefecture.
All legal residents who have resided in France for three months are eligible for France's public healthcare system. However, there are some additional conditions to watch out for before you join the French healthcare system. Expats must be living there in a “stable and regular” manner.
Proof of Sufficient Funds: You should have evidence of sufficient financial means to cover your stay in France. This can include bank statements, credit cards, or a letter of financial support.
George Clooney gets French citizenship, spars with Trump The French government says it granted George and Amal Clooney citizenship because of their contributions to its international influence. Their family has primarily lived in France since 2021.
Since Brexit, UK citizens must apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) to retire to France from the UK. This visa is key if you plan to stay for more than 90 days. If you intend to stay in France for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit (VLS-TS).
Do you own a home in France used as your primary residence? If you own a home in France and use it as your primary residence, this will be one of two property taxes you can expect to pay. The first being your French property tax (Taxe Foncière) and the second being this French Council Tax (taxe d'habitation).
France. If you are a British citizen planning to stay in France for more than three months at a time, then you must apply for a Long Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour) at the French Consulate in London. This visa will allow you to stay in France for three to twelve months and the process is very straightforward.
Although foreign buyers have no restrictions on buying a property in France, if you are not an EU citizen, then you will have to apply for a visa/residency if you intend to stay in your property for more than 90 days.
According to their research, a single person needs to earn at least €3,860 after tax to be considered wealthy, which is twice the median standard of living in France. For couples, the threshold is €5,790 without children and €9,650 with two children.
Normally, people who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. However, under the agreement, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in France regardless of your nationality.
It is frowned upon in France to shout or speak very loudly during a discussion or on the phone. We do not like people who stand out or who are too much in France.
Seine-Saint-Denis (French pronunciation: [sɛn sɛ̃ d(ə)ni]) is a department of France located in the Grand Paris metropolis in the Île-de-France region. In French, it is often referred to colloquially as quatre-vingt treize or neuf trois ("ninety-three" or "nine three"), after its official administrative number, 93.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of cheating, with over half of married people admitting to infidelity at least once. European countries also show higher rates of infidelity compared to other regions. Cultural attitudes towards relationships, marriage, and sexuality play a role in these differences.