If your plans involve a temporary stay or an indefinite relocation to France, you'll find yourself immersed in a country celebrated for its rich diversity, deep cultural heritage, and history. Even a lifetime wouldn't be enough to enjoy all the delights offered by this country that boasts itself on the strength of its traditions.
In recent years, moving to France has become easier thanks to the development of visa programs for entrepreneurs and the profusion of opportunities offered to highly skilled workers.
France's participation in the Schengen Area is an added incentive, as a single visa grants you the freedom to explore the vast expanses and remarkable treasures of neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, among others.
Entering France
As a member of the European Union, reaching France offers a wide array of convenient transportation options. With the absence of customs controls within the EU, driving to France becomes a hassle-free experience without the concern of lengthy border controls. Both France and the rest of Europe boast well-developed highway systems, and the extensive network of toll roads facilitates seamless travel from one country to another for European travelers. However, it's worth noting that the toll fees themselves can add considerable expense to the overall travel budget.
Alternatively, you can travel by rail. In recent years, collaborative efforts among operators across different European countries have made cross-border rail transportation even smoother. For instance, you can easily travel from Paris to Turin, Amsterdam or Belgium by train. Alternatively, you can always take a connecting train, which is usually no problem at all.
In fact, many young Europeans buy a European railcard, which gives them unlimited access to the network to explore the historical and cultural treasures of the old continent. The Eurostar trains also provide a highly convenient mode of travel between the UK and France. Although the Eurostar Snap offer, which provided attractive last-minute ticket prices, has been discontinued, the company still offers cheap tickets that can be booked in advance.
If you're traveling from afar or on a tight budget, it may be cheaper to fly to France. Budget-friendly flights are plentiful in Europe, with airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Air Berlin, Norwegian, and Transavia (again, just to name a few) offering cheap flights to a wide range of European destinations. In addition, most major French cities have international airports, and in recent years, a number of smaller airports have sprung up in more isolated towns thanks to the advent of low-cost carriers.
In addition, France is served by many traditional carriers, and it's very easy to reach any major airport via the services of Air France, KLM, or one of these two companies' partners. You should also be aware that some carriers, such as Air Transat or Corsair, offer extremely low fares.
France is getting greener, and that's impacting air travel. Small airports that lose money are facing criticism. Even with efforts to attract budget airlines, many rely on government cash to stay afloat. These budget flights aren't escaping scrutiny either. The French government is pushing for train travel over short flights within the country. A 2021 law, the Climate and Resilience Act, bans domestic flights on routes with a train alternative that takes less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. Air France even cut three domestic routes by 2020 to benefit from government aid. However, there are some exceptions listed in the official rules released in May 2023.
Administrative formalities in France
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals can live and work in France provided they hold a valid identity card or passport. That's it! Citizens of these countries can pack their bags and head to France to work or even set up a business. There is no need to worry about residence or work permits. After 5 years, you can apply to become a permanent resident. Just remember, there are some specific rules for EU and EEA nationals, such as health insurance and unemployment benefits.
If you are not from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, or San Marino, you need a valid passport and a long-stay permit to settle in France. You'll need to apply for a visa before you leave for France. The documents you need to produce generally vary according to the reason for your stay, and it's advisable to check with the French embassy or consulate in your home country beforehand. Once you have lived legally in France for 5 uninterrupted years, you can apply for a European long-stay permit.
Nationals of certain countries, in addition to the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, and San Marino, can benefit from exemptions provided they are in possession of a residence permit or a Document de circulation pour étranger mineur (DCEM). The Titre d'identité républicain (TIR) has no longer been issued since 2019. It has been replaced by the DCEM.
The residence permit is intended for foreigners (non-French nationals) who meet all the conditions required to be authorized to reside in France on a permanent basis. The DCEM is for minors living in France who wish to travel abroad. For further information, please consult the articles dealing with visas.
Useful links:
Long-stay visa – Service Public
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