Top Mistakes To Avoid When Relocating To France As A Foreigner: Is It Difficult To Move To France?
Fresh baguettes in the morning! Relishing the best wines at the French Riviera! Walking through the cobblestone streets! A trip to France is always romantic, and the moment we book the visa from immigration services such as EasyStart, we, as non-Parisians, start weaving dreams about Parisian Living.
However, many times, I have discussed how France is bearing the brunt of overtourism, and the anti-Airbnb Laws and protests from the locals have made traveling to France or relocating to France a little difficult.
Furthermore, thanks to the changing geopolitical landscape and a new tariff issue surfacing almost daily, international travel and relocation are facing significant challenges.
For France, especially, delays in processing visas or border control procedures are primary concerns when we are traveling to or relocating to France.
Nevertheless, even if we obtain the visa and everything appears fine on paper, some practical problems, such as financial issues, cybersecurity threats, not researching housing options, and ignoring registration, remain the main concerns.
What Are The Common Mistakes When Relocating To France? How To Avoid Them?
Well, ask anyone who has been to France or has moved to France! “The French Bureaucracy is Slow and it’s complex.” This is the first thing most of them will complain about.
However, you can avoid this first hurdle by engaging an expat or relocation service and allowing them to manage the administrative work on your behalf. Furthermore, you need to carry multiple copies of the essential documents and be particular about the follow-ups.
Now, you have reached France, and this is where the real challenges begin!
1. Financial Mistakes To Avoid When Relocating To France
French tax residency and the tax liabilities associated with transferring your assets are two major areas where your finances can go wrong after relocating to France.
Thanks to the Impôts sur le fortune immobilière (IFI), which started in January 2018, you will have to pay a tax on your real estate assets. Furthermore, if you stay alone, with your spouse, civil partner, or spouse in France for most of the time, you are eligible for French Tax Residency.
Along with a lack of clarity about the tax systems, mishandling your retirement funds, not seeking local banking assistance, and faulty currency exchanges are the major financial mistakes to avoid after relocating to France.
2. Cybersecurity Mistakes To Avoid When Relocating To France
Identity theft and cybersecurity are two major concerns for international travel or relocating to France. Sometimes, we also end up using Public WI-Fi, and that’s the biggest mistake we make.
Furthermore, despite the demonstration of the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace, phishing scams and other types of cybercrimes keep occurring in France.
In fact, the Canadian Government has issued a travel advisory for France, updated on September 29, 2025. The government has advised its citizens traveling to France to exercise extreme caution. Furthemore, in the same travel advice, the government has dedicated a special section for the rising concerns of cybercrime in France.
The advisory says,
“Cybercriminals can compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal personal data or credit information. They may try to trick you with communications that seem legitimate but are fraudulent. These could include promises of discounted merchandise or accommodations, or free event tickets.”
How To Avoid Cybercrime In France?
To prevent cybercrime in France, you must adhere to the following measures.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi at airports. You can carry your own eSIM.
- Buy a spare battery pack or carry your own USB charger, and avoid plugging in your device randomly for charging.
- Only buy things from trusted online sites.
- Avoid using random AI tools for editing your images, and refrain from sharing excessive details when posting your photos on social media.
3. Registration Mistakes To Avoid
After relocating to France, you need to take care of two types of registrations.
- Healthcare Registrations
- Local Registrations
| Types Of Registrations | Implications of Missing Them | How To Avoid Missing Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Registration | No Coverage for Essential and Critical Healthcare Services | » Apply for the French National Health Insurance or Carte Vitale » Consider Your Visa Type and the Eligibility for Healthcare Insurance Based on the Same. » Learn How You Can Enroll in the Specific Visa Type. » If You Face Delays in the Approval of the National Insurance, You Can Choose a Private Health Insurance Temporarily. |
| Local Registration | Administrative Problems in Short/Long Runs | » Learn If Registering at the mairie or the Local Town Hall is Necessary. » You Must Book the Carte de Séjour or Residency Permit Appointments Immediately after Relocating to France. |
4. Not Conducting Research About Housing Options
You need a long-term rental if you are relocating to France. And, of course, you will have several essentials to support your living here.
So, you need a home away from home!
However, if you thought that exploring the housing or rental markets of France would be easy, you are wrong.
How To Avoid Housing Problems In France?
The requirements and leases for the available houses will vary. You need to explore all the options well in advance so that your requirements are met and the budget does not exceed.
Furthermore, you will need a guarantor at the time of agreement. Moreover, if not absolutely necessary, you may look for housing options in smaller cities to find an option faster.
5. Not Buying A French SIM Card For Your Phone
Suppose you need to get something delivered to your house. Alternatively, you may need to open a bank account and obtain a healthcare registration.
In all these scenarios, you will need a French SIM card or a local number. This number is crucial for important calls and verifications from different authorities.
Once you reach France, consider budget-friendly options for local SIMs and purchase one for your phone immediately.
6. Not Being A Part Of Any Community
- Visas
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Banking
- Getting a Local SIM Card
You need to take care of all these things and even more after relocating to France. Are you trying to manage all these things alone?
Well, it’s a mistake you are making. After a while, it will get overwhelming for you. Check out the table below to understand who you can consult for help and advice.
| Communities That Will Help You | Seek Help from Them |
|---|---|
| Expat Communities on: InterNations MeetUp | Locals Special Forums Registered Relocation Services |
7. Not Having Long-Term Planning
“I will see how it goes!” Are you thinking this way when relocating to France? Well, this cannot be your long-term plan when you are relocating to France.
You have to be meticulous about the following things.
- Tax Filing
- Renewal of Residence Permits
- Knowing Your Retirement Contributions
- Best Options for Permanent Residency
Overall, if you overlook these aspects of long-term planning, you will likely encounter unpleasant surprises.
