When the Barefoot Blogger decided to run off to France, I learned the hard way how to do some of the basics: rent an apartment, open a bank account, and obtain a visa. Here are some expat moving tips for France.
If you’re contemplating a move to France, hopefully, some of these expat moving tips for France help.
Rental contract
Find someone you know who can understand French legal documents. I lucked out that my son has experience reviewing similar paperwork. He served in the Peace Corps in Cameroon and worked with French banks that use some of the same legalize.
Google Translate is the second option. Copy and paste the content into Google Translate. The translation may not be the best, but it can help you with the highlights. Then ask your rental agent in France to go over it with you. You should be able to communicate with your agent by email. (Be sure to get an agent who speaks English!)
Be especially mindful of the charges from the rental agency. I was surprised by the cost of a “honorarium” that was owed to them by both the owner of the apartment and by me — more than the cost of a month’s rent! When I complained about the cost, the agent stated it is the customary way to work with rental agencies in France. To pacify me, he moved my closing date so that the overall price was reduced.
Inspection Prior to moving into your apartment you will be required to make an inspection. It is very important that you go over everything, every cubbyhole, and note any problems on the inspection document. A friend inspected my apartment for me since I was not in France at the time. There was a crack at the bottom of the toilet that wasn’t noted. After I was in the apartment for six months or so, the toilet started leaking. When I called the rental agency to send a plumber, they found I needed a whole new toilet. Since it wasn’t noted on the inspection, guess who ended up paying for it? Me!
(Click here for more information on renting in France)
French bank account
Opening a bank account in France is a requirement for renting an apartment. The agent and apartment owner like to have monthly payments set up through a draw on the account.
Fortunately, I was told it was easier to open an account in person in France than from the US. Believe me, it’s really a smart thing to do. I opened my account before I left to return to the US to pack for my move. If you speak little or no French, do a little research to find a bank with an English-speaking manager. You’ll be forever glad to have a bank manager in your town to help you with various banking and non-banking issues. (Love Mr. Lamur at LCL in Uzes!)
One item that stopped my progress opening the account was that I had to show proof that IRS taxes are paid in the US. I contacted my tax man in the states. He emailed the cover page from my most recent tax forms.
You must also show proof of residence in France. Use the paperwork from the rental agency as proof.
Don’t ask me how crooks get away with foreign bank accounts! Guess they know all the angles.
(For more information on banking, check out this site)
Long stay visa
Assuming you are moving to France to retire, you must have a “long stay” visa to stay in the country longer than 90 days per semester.
Look on the Internet for the French consulate that serves the area where you live. For example, the southeast consulate in Atlanta serves South Carolina. You must have an appointment at the consulate to apply in person for the visa. Appointments are made through an online tool.
When I first checked, there were no appointments available for the next 3 months! So I called the consulate (which they advise NOT to do) and I was lucky enough that someone answered the phone. The lady who answered graciously took my name and promised she would call me when there was a cancellation. I got a call for an appointment in three weeks. But don’t trust your luck. Start out in plenty of time to get an appointment.
There are a number of forms on the French consulate website that must be filled in to accompany your application. The directions on the forms are pretty clear. One very important fact is that they want proof of everything! That includes a rental agreement, French bank account, your financial statement and an airline ticket to France.
Yes, you’ll need to buy a “refundable” ticket for your flight to France — just in case you don’t get all your paperwork approved in time.
For example, I messed up on proof of medical insurance. All the information was there about my coverage but not there was not a statement about services outside the US. I told the interviewer I talked with the insurance company and that I had travel insurance for part of the year. The first 60-days out of the US would be covered by my current health insurance. She wanted to see it in writing from the insurance company.
Getting the letter about the insurance meant I had to stay over in Atlanta an extra day. Lesson learned: don’t be vague about anything.
Click here for more information on long stay visas from the US
or here
A worldwide site for visas for France
Just do it!
All this might sound like a lot of trouble. It’s worth it. Promise!
Categories: Around France, Blog, Expat Moving Tips for France
Thoughtful commentary . I am thankful for the specifics ! Does anyone know if I might grab a template Residential Lease Agreement 2 example to fill in ?
Send your email address to me at deborah@bfblogger.com and I’ll send you a copy of the one I filled out. It’s three years old, but it should be similar. All in French, you know :-))
Hello catrina bolivar, my business partner completed a fillable Residential Lease Agreement 2 form here
http://goo.gl/xs6bXDThank you! I’ll pass it on. However, I think she is looking for a rental agreement from France.
Hi Debby:
I am still a little confused by bank account and home rental situation. It seems like they want you to have a residence to get a bank account, but I have read you need a back account set up to rent a place. How were you able to rent a place without having a French bank account first? I have read some people have to pay all, or a large portion, of the entire term’s rent in advance? Is that what you had to do?
Merci and tout le meiller
Chris
Chris, I’m trying to recall exactly the chain of events. As I remember, I had a document from the rental company that stated I had reserved the apartment, then I opened the bank account using that document. To confirm the apartment rental, I then paid one month’s rent in advance. The only issue I had with the bank account was that they wanted proof that my American taxes were up to date. For that, I showed the bank the cover sheet of my tax filing for the year.The surprise I had upon finalizing the rental payment was that I had to pay the whole agency finders fee. In the US, generally the person owning the apartment pays the agency, not the renter. I’m returning to Uzes June 8 and I can check with the rental agency to find out if I am correct about the info above. I can get back to you to confirm.
Hi Debby. That is very helpful. Do you remember approximately what the rental agency fee was? Was it a percentage of the total rent? Did you consider something like AirBNB for a rental? I have noticed some of those rentals have discounts for renting for one or more months.
Thanks for all the information as always.
Merci et tout le meilleur.
Let me get back with you about the rental fee. It’s with my papers in Uzes. I’ll be glad to send you the info when I’m back. I rented the apartment I stayed in for my 3-week holiday in Uzes through Airbnb. I haven’t tried to rent for extended times but if it’s possible, it would be a good way to test if you like a town. The three weeks in Uzes convinced me I was moving there!
So helpful!
Glad if there’s some information you can use! Come on to France!
Great post, Debby. One thing I’ve been confused about…did you rent your apartment without a French bank account; or did you open an account without a place to live?
I rented the apartment first.. Or at least had signed the papers with the intent to rent. If you’re staying with someone before renting, or just have an address in France to use, you can open the bank account.
Chère Déborah,
You got my vote!
A très bientôt, et bises
Andy
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See you at the vernissage!