The decision of moving to France can be sustained by a number of reasons, such as taking advantage of a great business environment, and an appreciated healthcare system or of a diversified market in terms of business opportunities and development. More than that, foreign investors can benefit from the business advantages of France as part of the Schengen Area. The relocation to France is not a complex process, however, one of our immigration lawyers in France can offer in-depth support and legal advice if you are interested in moving to France.
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Relocating to France as an EU citizen
Citizens from EU countries can easily enter and move to France without having to apply for a visa. However, it is important to look for accommodation prior to the arrival in France and apply for a residence permit. Foreigners who want to live and work in France will have to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit. This is the EU-citizen residence card that shows you are registered with the French authorities.
Non-EU/EEA citizens moving to France
In the case of non-EU/EEA citizens, the relocation to France starts with a visa application. If you intend to stay more than just 3 months, you will have to apply for a long-stay visa, considering that there are different policies for the French Overseas Territories French European Territory and French Overseas Departments and Regions. The following details are part of a French visa application for non-EU citizens:
- A travel visa insurance covering up to EUR 30,000 needs to be valid for France and for the entire Schengen Area.
- The France visa application form needs to be completed with your personal information.
- One must have a valid passport for the entire stay in France.
- Proof of accommodation in France needs to be offered to the authorities.
- Information about personal funds to prove you have sufficient funds for living in France can be solicited.
If you are interested in moving to France from a non-EU/EEA country, you can solicit legal advice from our French immigration lawyers. Our team can also help you obtain citizenship in France if you have already been living in the country for five uninterrupted years (or will soon meet this milestone). Gaining French nationality by naturalization is the most common option, the other one being based on the applicant’s ties to the country via family members (grandparents, parents, etc.) or spouse. Certain conditions apply in each of these cases and our team can detail these upon request.
How can I relocate a company in France?
The company relocation process is not complex, however, instead of dealing with possible problems and bureaucracies with the French authorities, you can get in touch with one of our immigration lawyers in France. If you intend to relocate your company to France, it is recommended to de-register the firm and make an application in this sense with the authorities from the country of origin. Then, the company shareholders must create a resolution or a declaration stating the intention of company relocation to France. This document, alongside the Articles of Association, the Certificate of Good Standing, and the Certificate of Incorporation must be submitted to the French Trade Register of the city you wish to move your business. One can choose the limited liability company as the proper structure for their activities in France or can activate under the same type of entity as in the country of origin. The relocation process of a company to France can be entirely overseen by one of our French immigration lawyers. Our team is specialized in immigration matters and can provide the needed services, tailored to the needs of the clients.
Other steps of the relocation process to France
Moving to France should solicit your attention within a couple of months prior to your arrival in this country. It’s important to search for accommodation in the first place, if you already accepted a job in France or if you want to study in this country. The temporary or permanent residence permit is the next thing to think of when moving to France and start the formalities in time. One should note that the next residence permit after living in France for 5 years is available for 10 years, offering the possibility of applying for naturalization. Below you can find some facts and figures about immigration in France, offered by thelocal.fr:
- around 7.1% of the total population of France represented the foreign citizens living in this country, as statistics for 2018 say;
- the latest National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies’ report revealed the number of citizens living in France, around 70 million in 2018;
- more than 255,000 residence permits were issued for foreigners in France in 2018;
- French citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of living in France.
We kindly invite you to contact our team of immigration lawyers in France and ask for legal advice and guidance if you want to relocate to France.
Your relocation to France can be easier with our help. You can discuss important matters concerning residency in France with our team, even before you leave your country of origin. With our help, you will apply for the right type of residence permit, or you will renew or change an existing one. You can rely on our assistance for relocation for employment, business, or study purposes, among others.
