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If you’re moving to France from the UK, then bienvenue; you’re in the right place! Keep reading for a breakdown of moving costs, a great checklist, and even free moving quotes.
The average removal costs to France can be between £1,400 – £2,000 for a 3-bedroom home by road and it can take around 1 to 3 days.
To give you a rough idea of how much to budget, the table below indicates the estimated cost of hiring a removal company from London to Paris by road for various-sized properties.
| Property Size | Cost |
| 1-bedroom apartment | £900 – £1,300 |
| 2-bedroom house | £1,100 – £1,600 |
| 3-bedroom house | £1,400 – £2,000 |
| 4-bedroom house | £1,800 – £2,600 |
| 5-bedroom house | £2,300 – £3,200 |
Disclaimer. The above costs only reflect average removal costs to France. The only way to get accurate figures is to request removal quotes from us, which reflect the specific characteristics of your move.
The exact nature of your move will make the price vary; the volume of your things, the distance travelled, and which removal company you choose will be decisive on the final price. You can read more on our international removal costs page.
If you’re not sure how much the cost of moving your furniture to France will be, estimate your volume key to get accurate quotes.
Calculate My Furniture VolumeAre you searching for movers in France? You’re in the right place. Take a look at the best international removal companies from the UK to France on our following page.
Fill in the form below to connect you with up to 5 removal companies that can help you move to France instantly. You’ll be able to compare companies and save money.
The process of emigrating to France after Brexit has turned a bit more complex. UK citizens need to apply for a visa if they intend to stay for more than 90 days. Depending on your situation, you may need to apply for a student, work or retirement visa.
The general requirements entangle having a valid passport, proof of accommodation, enough financial resources and health insurance. Find out all the details on our page below:
Generally speaking, you must have resided for at least 3 years in France to be eligible for the French residency. Read on the Government page about the conditions to get the residency card.
After 10 years, you are eligible to apply for a permanent resident card, once the validity of your current card ends.
It takes some preparation when moving to a new country. On your essential list of things to do before taking off to France, you should do some research. Not only about French culture and lifestyle but your new home, arranging your visa, finances, healthcare and job hunting.
Whether you are moving to the hustle and bustle of Paris or the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux, follow this step-by-step checklist, et voilà: moving to France from the UK has never been easier.
Make sure to prepare the following personal documents:
Make sure you find the removal company that best suits you when moving to France from the UK. We recommend starting with our list of the top international removal companies in the UK.
You can never start too early. Our expert packing guide has got you covered on this front.
You can freely import your new or used vehicle to France as long as VAT has already been paid in another EU country. Either drive your car yourself when moving to France or pop it in a container to be shipped.
📄Driving licence: You can use your British driving licence for one year. After that, you’ll be required to swap it over for a French permit.
As long as your pet has been microchipped, has a pet passport or third-country veterinary certificate and has been vaccinated against rabies, it can access the country.
Inform HMRC of your move to France to avoid the risk of being taxed twice and organise which country you intend to pay tax in.
The French are not known for their English proficiency and if you want to assimilate, learning the language is the best way to go.
You’ll need to apply for your a carte de séjour within three months of moving to France from the UK, you must register at your local town hall. It is free of charge to do so. Check which documents apply to you on the French Administration Page.
We recommend setting up a local bank account. Explore some of the following banks’ websites to find a good fit for you:
France has a publicly funded healthcare system, but unlike in the UK, you will have to pay for treatment at the point of service. Of course, as a new arrival, you will need to have private health insurance as you won’t yet be covered by the public system.
There is more to France than wine, cheese and croissants. Let’s dive into the French lifestyle and its costs.
Daily living is pretty similar in comparison to the UK; however, it varies where you live. For example, it is a lot more expensive in the centre of Paris in terms of supermarket prices and rentals. In this comparison table you’ll find the average prices for regular daily items:
| Metric | UK Average | French Average |
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre | £750 | £613 |
| Price per square metre to buy in the city centre | £4,187 | £6,183 |
| Cappuccino | £2.75 | £2.55 |
| 0.5L of draught beer | £3.60 | £5.40 |
| 12 eggs | £1.95 | £2.71 |
Finding accommodation and good areas to live in France must be a priority for you.
When it comes to renting and buying costs, they will vary hugely depending on where in France you choose to settle – If you’re on a budget, avoid the Rhone, Ardennes and Paris areas, and opt for areas such as Montpellier, Marseille and Lille instead.
For a better insight into various areas, visit the following pages:
If you know where you plan on heading but are still on the hunt for your French residence, explore some of the following websites:
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the average salary in France in 2022 was €2,340/month (£2,041) or €39,300 gross/year.
If you are yet to find employment upon moving to France, consider some of the following online portals:
Find out more about working in France on our page below:
State schools are generally allocated according to the area in which one lives. You can ask to enrol your child in another school, however, you will have to process this request (dèrogation) with the town hall and state transfer reasons.
To register your child, you’ll need to submit an enrolment file that needs to include: The child’s birth certificate or passport, proof of residence, proof of insurance (Assurance Scolaire), proof of immunization, parent’s passport and you may also be asked to submit a copy of your pay slips.
French Educational System
| Level | Description |
| Nursery (up to 3 years) | Daycare centres |
| Kindergarten (2 – 6 years) | Three compulsory levels – General education in core subjects |
| Primary School (6 – 11 years) | Five compulsory levels – From preparatory to elementary and middle course |
| Secondary School (11 -15 years) | Four compulsory levels – From preparatory to elementary and middle course |
| High School (15 -18 years) | Three optional levels – Choosing between general, technical or professional training. |
French public schools do not prioritize English. You can choose a private or international school, but beware that they can be very costly. You may be looking at paying 9.000 to 24.000 euros per year for one pupil.
By now you are well on your way to moving to France from the UK and becoming an authentic Frenchie. If you want to keep reading, check the FAQs below and some useful resources.
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