With beautiful scenery, incredible food, and a great public healthcare system, it’s no wonder why so many people dream of retiring in France. But how do you make that dream a reality? As relocation experts, we’ve helped hundreds of people retire in France, and we want to share our tips and tricks to make your dreams a reality!
Table of Contents
- Planning your move – Where to start?
- Retirement visas in France
- Best places to retire in France
- Getting your apartment
- How to get a French bank account
- Settling in after you arrive
- How to get your carte vitale
- Final pieces of advice
- FAQs
Planning your move – where to start?
When you start planning your retirement in France, there are 3 questions that you should consider:
- What do I really need to start my life in France?
- What is my budget for the relocation, and what will be my day-to-day budget once I arrive?
- What is my timeline for the move? When do I want to arrive?
Not sure how to answer these questions? Don’t worry! We’re here to help.
What do I need to retire in France?
When planning your move to France, it’s important to learn what you will actually need to get your life here started. This will help you not only to plan your timeline, but also to plan your budget! Here are a few key things you will need to set up to start your retirement in France:
- Visa – There are a few options for retirement visas in France, which we will explore later in this article!
- Housing – Finding housing in France as an expat can be surprisingly difficult, especially if you are planning on renting. Stay tuned for our expert advise to help you secure housing in France.
- Bank account – A French bank account is often required to set up essential services like your home’s utilities and your phone number in France.
- Healthcare – French public healthcare is a great resource for retirees. However, you will (likely) only qualify for it after living in France for 3 months. We will discuss how to get insurance coverage for those first months, and how to get your carte vitale once you do qualify!
What is my budget for my move?
Determining your budget for retiring in France can be tricky. Here are a few things to take into account when planning your budget for your relocation to France:

What is my budget for housing?
With housing there are one time and monthly fees to take into account for your budget.
One time fees:
- Your security deposit – Typically 2 months’ rent, to be returned once you move out.
- Agency fees – Agency fees will vary depending on many factors. Generally they amount to 1-2 months rent, or 12% of your annual rent.
- Relocation agency/house hunter fees – If you choose to work with a relocation agency like ours, you can plan to pay a one time fee for their services of helping you secure housing. To get an estimate for our house search services, or any other services you may be interested in, schedule a free 30 minute quote consultation with our experts!
Monthly fees:
- Utilities – Your utility expenses will depend on the size of your home, the energy efficiency of your home, and what is included in your rent. Depending on your rental agreement, you may need to pay for electricity, gas, internet, and sometimes water.
- House insurance – The price of your house insurance will depend on several factors, mainly the size of your home and the insurance provider you choose. However, house insurance in France is not typically very expensive and is usually between €15 – €25 a month.
- Guarantor fees – Since you likely do not have a guarantor in France, you will need to pay for one. This service is usually provided at a rate of 4.5% of your monthly rent.
The monthly amount you are allowed to rent for in France is typically determined by taking your monthly income and dividing it by 3. However, as retirees you may be able to supplement this by showing proof of savings. To know how much you are allowed to rent for, we recommend filling out this simulation from SmartGarant, a company that helps people get guarantors in France. The amount that they estimate you will be able to be guaranteed for will be your maximum monthly rent.
What is my budget for my visa?
Depending on which visa you decide to retire with, there may be financial requirements to take into account. We will further discuss your retirement visa options and their requirements later in this article.
What is my budget for healthcare?
As mentioned before, public healthcare in France is only available to expats who have been residents of France for 3 months (with a few exceptions). So, before you can receive your carte vitale you will need to plan on paying for private health insurance. Depending on which visa you select for your retirement, you may have certain requirements for your health insurance coverage while you wait for your carte vitale.
Getting your carte vitale can be a long and very difficult process if you are not working with a professional. Here at Your Friend in Paris, the process of getting your carte vitale typically takes between 3-6 months. If you are not planning on receiving any assistance with getting your carte vitale, you will want to plan on paying for private health insurance for a minimum of 18 months after you arrive in France.
Making your timeline

A huge part of planning your retirement in France is deciding when you want to move. This will be unique to you and may be impacted by certain variables like selling your home, or wanting to be with family for holidays. Once you have picked your arrival date, you can start planning out your timeline:
4 months before your move: Now is the time to begin assembling your documents and preparing your visa application! The earliest you can apply for any French visa is 3 months before your visa’s planned start date (which should be close to your arrival date in France). However, if you are applying for your visa without our assistance, you should begin preparing early. You may find you do not have all of the required documents ready!
3 months before your move: It’s time to apply for your visa!
10 weeks before your move: This is when we recommend starting the house search process. While this may seem cutting it a bit close considering how difficult it can be to rent a home in France as an expat, we recommend this to avoid paying for rent before you move in.
2 weeks before your move: At this point, you can start reaching out to French banks to begin setting up your account. You will only be able to activate the account once you arrive in France, but starting the paperwork early will help you to hit the ground running.
3 months after your move: Now is the time to start applying for your carte vitale!
Retirement visas in France
If you are looking to retire in France, the visa you will want is most likely a visitors visa. The visitors visa is valid for 1 year, and can easily be renewed annually. You can register for public health insurance (your carte vitale) with this visa after residing in France for 3 months. Keep reading for more information on the carte vitale process. The visitors visa has a few base requirements to consider when deciding which visa is best for you. This list does not cover everything required for a visitors visa, but rather some key points that may affect your decision.
Visitors visa key requirements:
- You cannot work, or generate income in France
- Private health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 and coverage for expatriation
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay (at least one year)
Retired, but ready for more?
More and more we see people who are looking to retire from their day jobs, but still want to pursue other endeavors. Here are some other visa options for those looking to stay active in their retirement:
Student visa:

Many retirees choose to come to France on a student visa for a few reasons. Primarily that the funds required are significantly less than other visas, and they have access to register for their carte vitale immediately. You can qualify for a student visa once you have received an enrollment certificate from a French institution. The only downside to this visa for those looking to stay long-term is that the visa is only valid as long as you are enrolled in a French institution. However, you can always switch to a visitors visa once your student visa expires.
Student visa key requirements
- Certificate of enrollment from a French institution
- Proof of funds covering €600 per month and expenses
Entrepreneur visa:
For those looking to generate some income during their retirement in France, the entrepreneur visa is a great option. The entrepreneur visa allows you to reside in France based on the opening of a company (often a microenterprise) in France. This visa is also advantageous as it allows you to apply for your carte vitale immediately as well. Many of our retired clients use this visa to work part-time as consultants or freelancers in their field. Here are some of the key requirements to consider for this visa.
Entrepreneur visa key requirements
- Proof of a real and economically viable business plan
- You must have around €24,000 to invest in your business
- You must open a business in France
Applying for a visa can be difficult and confusing for those who are not familiar with the French bureaucracy. Thankfully, you already have a friend in Paris who knows the process inside and out! Reach out to us today to contact@yourfriendinparis.com to learn how we can help you get your retirement visa, and make France your home.
Best places to retire in France
Now that you’ve got your budget prepared and you know which visa you will be receiving, it’s time for the fun part – deciding where to live! Check out our other article on the Best Places to Retire in France.
Getting your apartment in France
Getting an apartment in France is notoriously difficult for expats, but luckily we’re here to help! Give our series on renting an apartment in Paris a read by clicking here and here. If you’re hoping to find your apartment before the move, we also have an article on renting an apartment in Paris remotely! Still not sure if you want to deal with this alone? Why not reach out for a free quote?
How to get a French bank account
Getting a French bank account is another one of those tricky processes that can take months if you don’t know what you’re doing. We typically recommend clients work with CCF for their banking needs. Their agents often speak English, making the process much easier for expats. If you want to learn about how Your Friend in Paris can help you open your French bank account, send us an email at contact@yourfriendinparis.com.
Settling in after you arrive
Once you’ve arrived in France, it’s time to start settling in and finding your community! Luckily, you already have a friend in Paris, us! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to find out about expat friendly events and join our community! Our members also regularly share their tips and tricks to make the transition easier. When you sign up using the form below, you’ll also receive a free list of expat clubs and communities in Paris that you can join today!
Here’s some more tips for settling into your new hometown!
Explore your area – Go out and explore! We recommend starting with finding the best bakery in your area. This is a great way to learn more about your new home, and enjoy some of the great foods France has to offer!
Talk to people – Even if your French isn’t great, try to strike up a conversation with people you meet through out your day! If you’re worried about making a bad first impression, check out our article on faux pas to avoid as an expat in France.
Facebook groups – There are plenty of active and fun expat Facebook groups you can join! Try searching for one with members in your area to stay updated on fun events and activities near you.
Look into volunteering opportunities – A great way to get involved in your community and meet new people while helping others is volunteering. Maybe you can put your culinary skills on display in a soup kitchen, or share your love of animals in a local shelter!
How to get your carte vitale
Getting your carte vitale can be a long and complicated process. The French government loves to ask for more documents, then take months to process them, then tell you the format is wrong. Our experts have helped hundreds of people get their cartes vitale, and know how to make the process as quick and painless as possible! If you are interested in learning about how we can help you get your carte vitale, shoot us an email at contact@yourfriendinparis.com.

For those who want to brave the bureaucratic storm alone, best of luck! Here is a brief overview of the process for getting your carte vitale:
- Prepare and send the PUMA application
- Follow up and provide additional documents
- Get your social security number
- Once you are approved by CPAM, open your Ameli account
- Order your carte vitale and European social security card
- The Carte Vitale is good for life unless your situation changes, but sometimes you need to reactivate it by connecting to the machine in a pharmacy
Curious about what is covered by carte vitale? Learn more here!
Final pieces of advice
We reached out to our expat communities on Facebook and Instagram to ask people who have retired in France on what their advice is for others looking to do the same! Here’s what they had to say:
“Join one of the many anglophone or francophone associations in your area.”
“Get your carte vitale as soon as possible! My husband developed some health issues while we were waiting to receive ours and our private insurance did not want to renew us for another year. We almost were not able to renew our visas because of it!”
“Don’t worry about finding the perfect apartment. You will end up spending most of your time outside in the city anyways. Pay more attention to the location of the apartment than anything else.”
“Shop at your local marche. The vendors are usually very nice, and became some of the first friends I made here”
Do you have advice to add to this article? Reach out to us at contact@yourfriendinparis.com!
FAQs
Is French public healthcare free?
NO! Taxes in France are notoriously high for a reason – to pay for all the incredible social benefits! If you are signed up for French public healthcare, you will have to pay for it through your taxes. The amount you pay is dependent on several factors – with the most important ones being your annual income, and your savings. For some, it would be much more expensive to get your carte vitale rather than paying for private health insurance. If you are worried about your taxes, we highly recommend working with an expert who is well versed in expat taxes.
Your carte vitale covers around 50% of most medical expenses, so to make up for where the coverage lacks, many French people also have a mutuelle. A mutuelle is paid insurance that goes “on top of” your carte vitale coverage. The cost of this will depend on your plan, but a decent one can be around €60/per month.
Is France accessible for those who are handicapped or have limited mobility?
Unfortunately, there is no French equivalent to the ADA, and as such much of France is not handicap accessible or friendly to those with limited mobility. If you are handicapped and want to live in France, we recommend reaching out to the MDPH to see what resources may be available to you. Also keep in mind that many of the buildings in France are very old, and will not have an elevator. If you are unable to use stairs regularly, make this clear to any real estate agents or house hunters you choose to work with. It should also be noted that many French homes and apartments will not have air conditioning. However, portable air conditioning units can be purchased and do a pretty good job of keeping an apartment cool and ventilated.
Can I move to France if I don’t speak French?
Yes! Hundreds, if not thousands, of people do this every year – so why can’t you? Not understanding the language may make administrative and immigration-related procedures more difficult, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although it might be a bit rough at first, always try to start conversations in French! Not only will this help you to improve your skills, but French people deeply appreciate it when a foreigner makes an effort to speak to them in their language.
Can I drive in France?
In order to drive in France you will need a valid driver’s license that is either French, an EU/EEA license, or an IDP to accompany your foreign license. Depending on where your driver’s license is from, you may be eligible to exchange your license for a French one! Click here to read more about our driver’s license exchange services, or click the button below to schedule your free quote consultation with us today!
Can I bring my pets with me to France?
Yes! Read more about how to bring your pets to France in our other article, here.
Still have questions?
Reach out to us at contact@yourfriendinparis.com today to learn more about how you can make your dreams of retiring in France a reality!