So, you’ve decided to move to Paris! You’ve been talking about it for a while now, doing some light Googling into the possibilities and imagining your life here. You know this is the right time for you to finally follow this dream and see where it takes you. Congratulations! But now it’s time for the hard part: figuring out how you’ll actually do it.
How do I plan my move to Paris? What do I need to do to prepare? Who can help me with my move? How much will it cost?
If you’ve been asking yourself these questions lately, you’re in the right place.
The dream of moving to Paris can quickly lose it’s charm when faced with the realities of dealing with complicated visa applications and foreign housing markets.
Moving to Paris doesn’t have to be stressful, there are tons of resources and dedicated experts ready to help you! You have options, so let’s explore them together and see how you can take back control in your relocation journey.
One of the first big decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to manage your relocation yourself, if you want someone to guide you through managing it yourself, or if you want a complete hand off of responsibility. Continue reading to find a description and evaluation of each option: Managing yourself, getting some help, or a complete hand off. We evaluate each of the professionals may want to work with on these criteria:
- Price – How expensive is each service on average?
- Time – How quickly will this professional get their job done?
- Expertise – How well does this professional know what they’re doing?
- Pros & Cons – What are the pros and cons of working with this kind of professional?
Table of Contents
- Hiring Experts
- Personal Assistant
- Hand Holder
- Relocation Agency
- Comparing All of Your Options
- Key Take-Aways
- FAQs
Hiring Experts
If you’ve decided to manage your relocation yourself, you may find yourself still needing a bit of help along the way. This is totally normal – relocating is hard! Some aspects of relocating will require technical skills or local knowledge, which can be hard to learn on your own. In these cases, it can be useful to hire an expert to help you. In this part of the article we will explore some of the experts you may find yourself needing to work with as you manage your relocation.
Tax Expert
Tax experts help you navigate your taxes as an expat in France. These experts are ideal for those who are unsure how to file taxes in France or with complex financial situations. It’s important to note that a tax expert is ONLY able to help with taxes, for help with any other aspect of French administration (like immigration, getting work permits, or setting up your carte vitale) you’ll need to look elsewhere. For more information on filing taxes in France, check out the government’s website here.
Price
Tax experts are a good example of very expensive, but at times necessary supports during the relocation process and onwards. Filing taxes in your home country can be hard, so filing under a completely foreign system is understandably harder. In situations where mistakes are common and have serious consequences, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
Expertise
In France almost all tax experts are lawyers, meaning that they are definitely experts in all areas of tax law. No matter how complicated your finances are, French tax experts will be able to make sense of them. If they are confused by any of your finances they will likely ask to reach out to your tax expert in your home country, if you have one. However, they can only give advice based off of what you share with them. This is why it is so important to find someone you trust and get along with.
Time
Like most other countries, filing taxes is seasonal in France. You should start the hiring process a few months before tax season to make sure your spot is secured with the expert of your choice. The amount of time it will take to file your taxes with an expert changes depending on your individual situation. However, you can trust experts like this to get it done correctly the first time, cutting down on time needed. But, you should know that tax experts are not known for their timely responses.
Pros:
- Once you find the right tax expert, you can build a long-term relationship and work with them for years.
- As barred lawyers and field experts, you can trust their ability to navigate complex financial situations effectively.
Cons:
- Tax experts are not cheap- and needing international help with automatically increase the price significantly.
- Trusting someone with your finances is a big deal. It might take some time to find someone you trust and work well with.
- If you don’t trust them with all your information, they may not see the full picture. This could make their advice incomplete.
- They might lack knowledge about other French administrative aspects, impacting their advice on visas, starting businesses, or healthcare choices. If you have questions about finding the right visa for you, check out our other article here.
House Hunter
House hunters have a fairly self-explanatory name, they are freelance workers hired by clients to find them a house. These house hunters usually work under contract with larger relocation agencies that don’t complete their services in-house. Many freelance house hunters focus solely on clients buying homes in Paris, making it hard to find rental assistance. House hunters normally sell their services in packages, usually with a set number of house showings for you to attend. House hunters typically specialize in specific Parisian areas, which is helpful if you’ve already decided on a location. It can be difficult to verify the credentials and intentions of freelance house hunters. While there are plenty of qualified, honest, house hunters out there, be on the look out for impostors trying to take advantage of expats.
Price
House hunter prices vary, with some charging extra for visits if you’re not in the country yet. They will also charge extra if you don’t like the options included in your package and need to see more showings. Be sure to verify pricing thoroughly before deciding to work with one. As most specialize in property purchases, they will charge a percentage of the apartment’s total price as their fee. Some will also do rental house searches and their fees will usually be a percentage of your annual rent. Please note that on top of their fees you will have to pay: the agency fee, the deposit (1 or 2 months) and first month rent. But, given how ridiculously difficult Parisian real estate market is- that is money well spent!
Expertise
House hunters are experts in their fields. As mentioned, many specialize in specific Paris areas, enabling them to assess if apartments are appropriately priced. They likely have personal connections with realtors and agencies specializing in the area. These connections can help your dossier get accepted if it is not ideal, which is common for expats.
Time
With the current market, house hunters are dealing with a huge influx of clients and are in very high demand. It may be hard to find one to take your case as an individual, as many relocation agencies currently contract house hunters and don’t have one on staff (unlike us). If you do find one to take on your case, they may not be able to give their full attention to your case, which may cause delays.
Pros:
- Working with an individual like this always has the appeal of personal touch and connection.
- Their specialized expertise on certain parts of the city can provide an advantage if you are unfamiliar with them yourself.
- Many agents have personal connections with local rental agencies, which can help secure the apartment you want.
Cons:
- House hunters might have limited capacity, making it challenging to find one who can dedicate sufficient time to your case.
- As freelancers, house hunters have to do everything themselves, which can result in things taking longer than expected.
- Make sure that you understand how things are priced and have been clear about your budget. Many house hunters will have a basic package at a reasonable price and will add on extra services a la carte.
- It can be difficult to verify the credentials of independent house hunters, leaving many unknowing expats vulnerable to scammers. Make sure to do your due diligence! For example, look on Facebook groups or your trusted forums.
Immigration Lawyer
Immigration lawyers will handle the visa/immigration side of your relocation. They’re experts in handling complex immigration needs, making them ideal for asylum seekers or those with past visa denials. For those without complications, they can also be very useful as many people make mistakes when applying for their visa. These mistakes won’t lead to rejection but will trigger a stressful back-and-forth process with the French administration, prolonging the application. Immigration lawyers can also handle other necessary procedures such as validating marriage certificates and birth certificates from other countries. For those who have already been here a while, they can help you apply for citizenship as well.
Price
Immigration lawyers are not known for being cheap. Their expertise in the more difficult areas of immigration can come at a high price. However, if you have complicated immigration needs, they are a necessity. Even relocation agencies handling immigration may still need an immigration lawyer for complex or delicate situations. The reality is that some situations need the help of a barred lawyer to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Expertise
With years of education and training under their belts, immigration lawyers are experts in their fields.
Time
Basic immigration procedures have little variation, and timing relies heavily on the government agency granting immigrant status. With more complicated procedures, timing varies due to back-and-forth between the lawyer and government as issues arise. French immigration lawyers may not respond promptly, so don’t be surprised if it takes a few days to hear back.
Pros:
- As barred lawyers, immigration lawyers are educated in even the most complicated areas of immigration law.
- They are the best option for those with a complicated situation, such as those unsure if they qualify for a visa.
Cons:
- Immigration lawyers can be notoriously expensive.
- For those with simple immigration needs (visitors visa, salarie visa, passport talent or entrepreneur) that meet the criteria for their desired visa, immigration lawyers can be expensive and overkill.
- Immigration lawyers are not known for their communication skills, and may take a while to respond to emails or calls.
- As mentioned before, they may be unwilling to share any advice on any other French administrative topics. Their knowledge of immigration law is impeccable but they might not be fully aware of tax or social implications.
- Immigration lawyers may be slightly impersonal or may not be eager to develop a personal relationship with their clients.
Personal Assistant
The services offered by a personal assistant vary greatly from one individual to another. For our purposes, we’ll assume that they will help you navigate house search, provide some administration assistance, and find schools for your children. Again, these services differ by assistant and should be verified before committing to one. While personal assistants offer various services, they often lack expertise in the technical aspects needed for relocation. The main appeal of personal assistants lies in their organization, availability, and personal touch.
Price
Personal assistants’ pricing typically depends on project duration and the type of work involved. Confirm the rates with each personal assistant before hiring. Remember, personal assistants handle some tasks, but you might need house hunters or tax professionals for technical tasks. While personal assistants may suit some needs, they may not offer the most cost-effective solution.
Expertise
Personal assistants generally fall into the category of “Jack of all trades…” Their value and expertise lies in overseeing and managing your relocation, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. In this way, they are similar to a hand holder. However, they often lack the specific knowledge, experience, and connections required to be relocation experts in the field.
Time
Personal assistants may take longer to navigate important relocation processes due to their lack of specific expertise. This includes tasks such as dealing with the French administration for visas and assisting in finding apartments.
Pros:
- Personal assistants are called that for a reason, their personal touch and connections with their clients are their main selling point.
- Personal assistants offer a ‘hands-off’ experience by managing many tedious and frustrating aspects of your relocation on your behalf.
- They often offer many post relocation services and might assist you in the long term.
- They know many people (contractors, nannies, house keepers etc.) and they might be a great source of verified contacts.
Cons:
- Personal assistants are good for small tasks but might not be the best choice for big or complicated projects.
- Personal assistants have a limited capacity, and you will likely not be their only client. This may result in them not being as available as you might hope.
- As mentioned, personal assistants aren’t relocation experts; Their limited expertise may affect your relocation’s progress. They will “assist” you, but not take the whole load of your shoulders. The responsibility of getting tasks done remains yours.
- Confirming a personal assistant’s credentials can be hard. It’s crucial to be cautious when hiring such assistants. Don’t be afraid to do your due diligence! Ask for referrals, check google reviews, ask on Facebook groups or forums.
Hand Holder
Hand holders guide you through relocation processes, but you’re still responsible for most of the heavy lifting. These helpers will vary in their level of involvement, so ensure you understand their role before making a commitment. They may recommend and put you in contact with certain trusted services but you will still need to be the ‘middle man’ and make sure that everyone is doing their job correctly and on time. The main difference between hand holders and personal assistants is that hand holders will be more involved than personal assistants. Hand holders are helpful for those who want to manage the relocation themselves but need guidance along the way. Hand holders specialize in relocations so their knowledge and expertise are quite high. They also often have their specialties: some will help entrepreneurs and set up their business, some are experts in certain regions.
Price
Price varies by hand holder, and many have different ways of establishing pricing. The most common ways these services are priced are either based on time or on services needed. Many hand holders offer a flat rate either on an hourly basis or a monthly basis. For this flat rate you’ll have access to all of their advice and expertise in all areas of your move. Others will have packages for their services with a time limit. For example, you can purchase the 3 month house hunting package from a hand holder. From the same hand holder, you could also purchase their 1 month administrative assistance package.
Expertise
Hand holder’s expertise usually lies in their connections and partnerships with other services that they can direct you towards. Well-established hand holders are helpful in connecting you with partners, but their expertise might be limited beyond that. They might have some knowledge on how to handle taxes, house hunting, or immigration themselves but if deeper expertise is needed they can also can direct you to someone who does.
Time
The timing with a hand holder depends on your availability and the availability of the partners they connect you with. You’ll need to monitor the progress of the experts hired through the hand holder and ensure timely completion of services.
Expertise
Hand holder’s expertise usually lies in their connections and partnerships with other services that they can direct you towards. Well-established hand holders are helpful in connecting you with partners, but their expertise might be limited beyond that. They might have some knowledge on how to handle taxes, house hunting, or immigration themselves but if deeper expertise is needed they can also can direct you to someone who does.
Time
The timing with a hand holder depends on your availability and the availability of the partners they connect you with. You’ll need to monitor the progress of the experts hired through the hand holder and ensure timely completion of services.
Pros:
- If you want to be very involved, hand holders usually let you do that.
- Well-established hand holders will be able to provide you connections that will make your relocation much easier.
- They are a great and relatively low cost solution for simple relocations.
Cons:
- You’ll still need to do the heavy lifting. This means you’ll need to coordinate between different experts and be responsible for making sure everything is done on time.
- Paying for each package separately can become costly, and additional assistance may result in extra charges.
Relocation Agency
Relocation agencies handle all aspects of your relocation to France. It’s important to know that there are two types of relocation agencies: Global and local.
Global agencies typically work with corporations and big clients. They have offices all over the world and they are global corporations. They may not take your case at all if you are moving as an individual or as a family and even if they do- you probably wont be treated with the same attention as a multi million dollar client.
Local agencies take a more personal approach, working closely with individuals and families, focusing solely on one specific location. These kinds of agencies are able to build personal relationships with local companies vital for your relocation.
Local agencies fall into two categories, those that work with free lancers and those that have experts on staff. The agencies that work with free lancers usually have one to two people on staff and hire out various experts for their services. They act as more involved hand holders.
Agencies with experts on staff, or boutique agencies, hire a full time team of immigration experts, house hunters, and relocation managers. Together they will establish a detailed plan for your relocation and decide how to best organize your project. This minimizes risk of miscommunication between experts or a lack of synchronization between services. These agencies are great for those wishing to hand over relocation responsibilities entirely while staying informed about progress. They are the most “hands off” or “all inclusive” option available. This solution is best for people moving on their own, who want to make sure everything is done in a professional way. If you don’t have much experience with relocations, a relocation agency might be the way to go.
Price
Price can vary from agency to agency, and will also vary based on the services you need. However, when compared the prices of hiring individual experts, relocation agencies tend to have the best value for money.
Expertise
Expertise in different fields will also vary from agency to agency. However, it is fairly easy to verify the expertise and quality of work provided by an agency. You may want to check if they are members of EURA, a global relocation network with high standards for its members. You can also check their Google reviews to see how others rate their service.
Time
Relocation agencies are a great option for quickly completing your move, as they handle all the different aspects of your relocation in-house. By removing the job of “middle man”, each part of the agency can communicate easily and openly. This will guarantee all steps of your relocation are happening in a timely manner.
Pros:
- Relocation agencies offer a variety of services to help complete all aspects of your relocation. They may even have services you don’t know you need and that are crucial for your move to a specific location.
- You won’t need to manage all the moving parts of your relocation on your own. Usually once you hire them you can take the passenger seat and enjoy the ride!
- Local relocation agencies can devote plenty of time and attention to each project. This ensures that they handle your relocation with care and a personal touch.
- Excellent communication of ALL aspects of your move in one place.
- They are often run by people with vast professional and personal (former expats) experience in relocations . You can count not only on their expertise, but also on good advice and experience.
Cons:
- If your immigration or tax situation is too complex, they may need to refer you to an expert or lawyer who can better assist you in this area.
- Through due diligence is recommended. Below we will mention how to choose your relocation partner and what are the best ways to make sure they are the right ones for you.
Comparing all of Your Options
FAQs
- How can I do my due diligence? How can I verify if a company or expert is legit?
- A website is a great proof that a company or expert are legit. They should have an address, a SIRET number (required for all companies in France), privacy policy, and terms and conditions mentioned on it. Read them and see if they make sense to you.
- Google or Facebook reviews- this is a great proof of transparency. Especially check the 1 star reviews, not only for what the client wrote, but mostly for how the company reacted to it. That’s when you can usually see the “real face” of the company.
- Ask around! Check on Facebook, look on forums, ask your friends.
- Talk to them: just book a call with the company you think you want to work with and see for yourself. Prepare a list of questions before you meet with them.
- Can I do it all myself?
- Yes! Technically you can do any of these things yourself if you know how to. The reason you hire experts is because most people aren’t familiar with these technical processes.
Key Take-Aways
- Everyone’s relocation journey looks different – it’s important to find what works best for you and your situation.
- Some things are best left to the experts.
- Having a clear understanding of the abilities and limits of whoever you decide to work with is crucial.
- Do your own due diligence.
- Give yourself a couple of weeks to choose “the one”. It is a big deal and the mistake can be costly. Good luck!