Planning my move abroad

Your passport must be valid, and its expiry date must be later than that of the visa you are applying for.

The French passport is valid for 10 years, or 5 years for minors under 15. Since 2009 it has been biometric.

When you move to a country outside the European Union, you need a visa. It takes the form of a stamp or a sticker, issued by the host country’s embassy. It grants you entry to the country, but a work permit is often required in addition.

If you stay within the European Union, there is no visa to apply for, but for a stay of more than three months you often need to obtain an EU residence card. This is obtained from the local authorities. The card proves very useful for everyday tasks such as registering a vehicle or opening a bank account.

A national driving licence is enough to be in order within EU states. It is also valid temporarily in certain countries with which France has agreements. Check the foreign ministry’s website for details.

The international driving permit is simply a translation of your national licence into nine languages. It is free, valid for three years, and can be requested from the driving-licence office of the police prefecture if you live in Paris, or from the prefecture, sub-prefecture or town hall if you live in another département. It lets you drive temporarily, but in most cases you will either need a simple conversion to a local licence or have to take the test in your host country. Note that only certain US states and Canadian provinces have signed agreements with France. Here is the list of signatory states.

This is certainly the most important of the expat formalities. Some countries require specific vaccinations. You need to find out well in advance which procedures to follow, by visiting the foreign ministry’s website and by asking your own doctor.

When you move abroad, you generally come under the protection scheme of the country in which you work. It is therefore strongly advised to find out before you leave which social protection scheme will apply to you. You will find most of the schemes in our dedicated guides.

You will need to choose a competent removals firm that has fully mastered packing, loading and unloading, but also — and above all — knows international customs regulations. While moves between France and Western Europe are done by road fairly easily, things become trickier when crossing a continent or an ocean. Expect longer lead times, especially for a move by sea, which can take two to six weeks depending on the destination. Plan an interim solution for your arrival. Moving by air is faster but more expensive. Some firms with a large network and high volumes can offer reduced rates.

When your belongings are collected, you will be given the packing list detailing the contents of each box — which will determine your level of compensation in the event of a claim — along with a document stating the departure date of the shipment, the arrival date of the vessel and the contact details of the agent at your destination.

You should notify the tax authorities of your change of address as early as possible. When you move abroad, your tax residence is transferred to your host country and you become a non-resident taxpayer. To do this, you can visit your local tax office or change your address online. Registering your change without waiting for the income-tax filing deadline will allow you to receive your tax return at your address abroad.

In the year following your departure, you will send your local tax office (or file online) a return covering the income you received in France between 1 January and your departure date. If you received no French-source income after leaving, you must indicate this in the “information” box if you file online, or on a separate sheet stapled to your return if you file on paper.

If, after your departure date, you continued to receive French-source income, you should complete form 2042NR and attach it to your return. In subsequent years, you will declare only French-source income to the non-residents’ tax office using form 2042, or file online.

During your stay abroad, you will remain liable for residence tax, property tax and, where applicable, tax on vacant dwellings, on any property you use or own in France. You also remain liable for wealth tax if your assets in France exceed €1,300,000. Note that, since 1 January 2005, the tax balance is no longer payable before departure. See our detailed tax guides too.

Living abroad also means you will be paid and will spend locally. To make life easier, it is advisable to open a bank account in the country where you will be working. But you also need to make arrangements with your bank in your home country. As well as notifying them of your change of address, you will need to update your situation in light of your new non-resident status. You may have to change or close certain types of account, such as the Livret de Développement Durable (LDD, formerly CODEVI). Ask too about charges for any transactions to or from abroad, and have a reference letter drawn up on headed paper — this will help when opening an account with your local bank. Finally, find out about your bank’s overseas subsidiaries; here again, this can make things much easier.

To be able to vote in the various elections, you must be registered on the consular electoral rolls. So, when you arrive in your host country, you need to complete the formalities with your consulate. This registration is not automatic.

Registering on the list of French citizens living outside France is a simple, optional and free administrative step. It makes administrative procedures easier, gives access to benefits linked to living abroad, and lets you receive information from the consular post, obtain a certificate of registration (which eases dealings with customs and local authorities) and finally obtain a NUMIC (consular registration number). This confirms that you are under consular protection and allows you to carry out many administrative tasks online.

You will find the consulate for your destination on the list of French consulates.

Transporting your pet is another point that deserves attention. Without proper preparation, your companion risks being turned back at the border.

The first step is to check with the embassy of your destination country. You can then find out about the risk of epidemics, the certificates to obtain and the vaccinations required.

If you stay within the European Union, note that your pet must be fitted with a microchip, or a clearly visible tattoo, and hold a passport issued by a vet with official health authorisation. It must also have been vaccinated against rabies more than 21 days before departure.

See the detailed steps for taking a pet out of France and the rules on pets within Europe.

In the specific case of moving to the United Kingdom, owners should familiarise themselves with the Pet Travel Program.