r/Expats_In_France

Just venting someplace where people will get it.

I'm an American who moved to France for a masters in cancer research with the intention of making it permanent.

I did my M1 and M2 here and now have a CDD until January 27 working in cancer research with CNRS, unfortunately I'm struggling to find new opportunities to apply to, or when i do I'm rejected for needing sponsorship for my visa or due to my B1 french (I'm in alliance français classes).

I've seen greener fields here in France and really really don't want to go back to the US.

I have a Slovenian/French girlfriend who is down to get PACSed but we only moved in together in January of 26, so the timeline doesn't quite workout.

It's been my goal from the start to try for French citizenship, and honestly I'm pretty scared that it might not work out......

Bref, merci de m'écouter.

I have just attended my first day of civic classes at OFII in Paris. I was under the impression that I would receive an attestation of attendance after each class, however I didn’t receive anything. I did sign the register for my attendance (twice: once in the morning and again in the afternoon). I was told that I’d receive a certificate at the end of the fourth class.

I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or should I have gone somewhere else to ask for the attestation?

I've been warned to have 3 copies of birth and marriage documents with apostille before moving to France for any future administrative needs. Has this been your experience? 3 seems like a lot.

I am a student going for an internship (machine manufacturing industry)and I was told a medical checkup will be done before onboarding me. I start in 2 weeks and I realized I recently smoked a joint at a party, should I be worried ?

When at the supermarket, for someone following the carnivore diet, it isn't uncommon to need 4kg of ground beef. The butcher 100% of the time is super surprised. However it isn't surprising if you buy a couple of 2kg roasts. What is it about ground beef that is more surprising?

I was about to submit my naturalization request (was waiting for TCF and examen civique results), and in the meantime I was let go during my période d'essai as the company is basically shutting down. My contract is still active and will be for a few months, so I was wondering if I should submit with all the docs I have from this employment then signal the change when it's actually over, or wait until I get a new job to submit the dossier.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge on how a job situation change can impact my dossier in this initial step? Thank you!

So I'm an 18 year old, I'm single, and I live in Southern California. I went to Paris, France back in spring of 2018, and I loved it very much. I've always wanted to leave the United States permanently and live somewhere with more culture and overall beauty. And I would like to live inside the city of Paris, within a decent walk there preferably.

I'm around an A2 in fluency, but working on it everyday and improving, with the goal of fluency.

I currently work at a Bath and Body Works, which is part time and pays around $1300 monthly, I know this won't cut it, and it's not even transferable. I also never went to college, just a high school diploma. I'm not sure if there's even a way to move there and get a job just like that. I do have a few thousand in savings and investments, but I'm not sure how far that'd get in terms of relocation and initial living costs while I try to secure a job situation. I know the costs of living are high, which is a concern for me.

I would be looking to live likely in a studio or 1br.

Reading some of the other posts on here I learned of some ways for the "triangle of doom", like Wise for getting a French "banking" or money situation, and AirBnB for the first few months I believe somebody mentioned. I'd just like to know more on the visa situation would work, because I remember learning years ago that that's one of the hardest parts. Something about needing a job to get a place to live but needing an address/place to live to get a job. Also some here mentioned needing a French phone number.

I'm also not sure how taxation works if I'm a U.S. citizen trying to permanently leave the U.S. to live in France. Is it true I'd still be paying the IRS here taxes while paying taxes in France?

Also I'll probably just bring 2 suitcases and a backpack or duffel bag for my move, leaving most of the things I own but don't need with my parents so they can still use things like my bed, tv, etc for guests. So I'd basically just bring myself and a few bags, not shipping anything.

This has been a dream of mine for years, I honestly am just hoping somebody might be able to tell me basically if I can or cannot do this. Thanks in advance!

So, I'm looking for a business school in Paris, but it's a bit hard to find everything that exists.

Basically, I already have a master's degree, but I'm changing careers, and the only way to get an entry-level job in France is a stage or alternance. So, I decided I'd go back to school.

I'm looking for something in marketing, project management, and similar fields - not that bothered about the title, as all of these are pretty interchangeable.

I don't expect top of the class education (HEC and ESSEC are out of budget and don't offer alternance anyway) as it is mainly to get a job, but I still want to learn something.

Alternance is my main goal really. Ideally, I'd like a 1 year programme.

I already did one semester at INSEEC last fall and really did not like it. Every class was just group projects, and I didn't learn anything actionable during my time there.

Any suggestions?

Hello guys, I have a question. I just want to ask how is it like these days to find a job in the field of Business development, sales, account management, customer support, etc. In France?

I heard that the market saturated but mostly with engineers, marketers, developers but I'm hearing mixed opinions and they would like to hear from you since you are there.

I’m basically looking at CDI and Alternance contracts hoth

Does anyone know where I should start looking or if it's worth a try?? Also, I heard that you can get in with recommendations so is there a place where I can find people to recommend me for certain jobs?

And finally if it worked for anyone is it easy and are the salaries as good as ChatGPT is saying 😂😂

I’ve been struggling to find a job without papers , I’ve went to almost every restaurant /grocery store near where I live with a cv and still can’t find one. I can speak 5 langues and I have a b2 in French. I live near salon en Provence , if you guys have any information that can help please hit me up

Hey guys, I’ve come on here to seek genuine, honest advice from anyone who has moved from the UK to France ( the south specifically ) or even a French resident.
My dilemma is that I am an 19 year old girl who has a year to do anything. In this I can either go UCL in London in September, or instead explore other options. As much as I would love to travel, unfortunately i do not have the funds to sustain that for a year. I have roughly £1000 in savings.

After visiting the south a couple of times , specifically nice and Monaco ( I know it’s its own country), I have fallen in love with the country/ cities. I understand that these locations can be quite costly so I don’t plan on moving to these specially, but somewhere close would be nice. Job wise, I understand this will probably be the hardest factor but I am literally willing to work anywhere (serving, tutoring, nannying, office) I would love a job as a waitress or in a cafe but this is quite a dream. I have previous work experience as a server and a barista if that helps my case. I am just seeking a normal job to help pay my rent and daily costs etc. Language wise, I am willing to improve my French by taking lessons over the summer.

Apart from this, it’s genuinely just a dive into a new experiences as I know I always have my parents to come back to in the UK. So asking for genuine / honest advice if you think this move is worth it.

If yes, please let me know of the visa logistics such as fees and how long the process is,( I am British ) and job opportunities. I know I might sound ladi dadi da through this post (lol) but nothings impossible 🤷‍♀️. Also I would love to hear your guys’ experiences. Any advice is appreciated, sorry for the lengthy post.

Thank youuuu

this is based on my experience and aimed at people with no existing network or relocation support.))

not intended for france bashing)

A) Should I move here without speaking French?

• No, unless you want to suffer from social isolation during your first years.

B) I have a French spouse, how about now?

• Doable, you will be inserted into the OFII integration system, but the free classes stop at level B1. After that, you will be expected to be well integrated into French professional life. (warning: you won't be.)

C) You sound so pessimistic. Is there really no way to move here without learning French?

• There is a way, but it is a difficult, long, grueling path. It is better to have at least a high B1/B2 level before moving here.

D) But I know so many people who moved here without speaking French!

• Yes, and they often were foreigners who moved here because their company offered them a relocation package. If you are arriving in France with no connections of this sort, expect to struggle pretty hard.

E) Can I find an English-speaking job?

• Semi-related to my answer to question 4, English-speaking jobs are scarce and hard to find unless you're tapped in the right opportunities. Most English-speaking jobs are related to childcare.

F) Which countries in Europe are better for English-speaking jobs?

• Malta, England, Ireland, even Romania is better than France here.

G) I have a Bachelor's degree, how about now?

• The bare minimum for most careers is a Masters'. France is one of the most diploma gated countries in the world. In the following order: The (French) schools you went to > diploma > name/family/background > experience > knowledge

H) How do I know if this is the right country for me?

• France has a (generally) accessible healthcare system and a high amount of public services. The best profile that benefits from French lifestyle is the one that is closely aligned with the State's vision of the ideal citizen: Fluent in French, preferably (western) white, thin, intellectual, secular, politically engaged in a particular way, comfortable with a certain rhythm of life.

I) Then, what kind of people are going to have a hard time and how do I avoid being that person?

• Anyone who doesn't fit the profile: The foreigner without the French professional network, French fluency, the visibly religious, anyone too much outside the model of an acceptable French citizen, the neurodivergent, individualistic personalities, hustler personalities, the disabled and those with chronic illnesses not easily understood by French society, people with non-European credentials, people with eccentric or out of the box thinking, people who need communal warmth to feel at home.

J) What about Paris vs the rest of France?

• Paris is the absolute best in the country for job opportunities and economic mobility. Nowhere else really compares. Retirees favor regions outside IDF for obvious reasons.

K) How hard is it to find housing?

• Expect to jump through hoops and hurdles to find an apartment. You need 3 times the rent, preferably a French guarantor, payslips from your CDI (from a French employment agency), your RIB, and your previous electricity bills, if you have them.

L) What about the administration?

• Many things in France revolve around a loop; you need a French phone number to get a phone number, you need French residency to get a bank account, but you need a bank account to get a French residency. Miscommunication issues and administrative loops are frustratingly common in all domains of life.

M) All of this sounds terrible, why come at all then?

• Despite the pessimism, housing crisis, poor economic situation, and decaying public services; many see France as the ideal country due to its work-social life balance and its cultural patrimony that heavily highlights a rich tradition of arts, cuisine, philosophy, and history. While some find the French society's rigorous appreciation of high culture and doing things the "right (French) way" suffocating, others feel right at home. At the end of the day: it depends on your temperament. If you are closely aligned with the vision of the mainstream French citizen, have a great French professional network, family, and friends then you will enjoy it here. Everyone else should think very carefully before coming here.

-

I wrote this to help lurkers and inquirers out before they make a huge leap. I have lived here for almost a decade, so I take it upon myself to spread what I've learned in my time residing in this country.

Hi everyone. I’m honestly at the end of my rope and looking for any kind of help or advice. Is there any possibile solution other than jumping into a river?

My former landlord recently sent me a government bill stating that I owe 240 euros for an ambulance ride in France, and that I could risk being blacklisted if it remains unpaid. Unfortunately, this is legitimate.

Right now, I’m back in Canada sleeping on a friend’s couch with about 200 CAD left to my name. My official residency is still in France, but I returned to Canada after securing a job offer there that was later canceled after I arrived back.

I’ve been struggling with homelessness and instability for the past three years, and I’m exhausted. I’m getting interviews in France but no offers, while in Canada I’m barely getting responses at all. If I were able to secure a job in France, I could likely borrow the money needed to return, but at this point no company seems willing to take a chance on me.

I really don’t know what to do anymore. If anyone has advice, resources, job leads, or any kind of assistance, I would be deeply grateful.

My wife and I are considering moving to France with our 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. We've read a lot about French culture and the difficulty making friends as an adult. But what about children? Does anyone have experience moving to France with kids? Were they treated kindly by schoolmates and teachers? Were they able to make friends? Are after-school or weekend playdates common?

We are being told it is normal in France for the lease (unfurnished bail classique) not to be signed until very near the move-in date. That seems very weird to me. Is that your experience?

I will be moving to France with two children (4&6) to start the school year in September. We are moving from Germany and my kids don’t speak French. The school they are going to is a bilingual school. From what I understand the bones of the school are the French academic standards with some bilingual bits tacked on. My oldest will be year 1 of elementary school.

I’m not concerned about the 4 year old. But I’m wondering if anyone can share what a child starting elementary school in year 1 would generally know in France. I don’t mean the language- they have a particular curriculum to teach French to non French children. I mean more are French children generally already reading, what level of writing, math etc.

Where I live in Germany is pretty relaxed and so far she’s been in kindergarten but it’s focused in play and practical skills not academics. She knows the alphabet, likes to write things if they are spelled for her can count but doesn’t have super advanced formal academic skills. It just hasn’t been a priority since the focus has been on general knowledge, independence and motor skills and things like this.

If she began school where I live in Germany I would have no worries with her measured against other children. However I know French children start compulsory schooling earlier and for example in my country where school is also earlier at 6 years old she would be expected to be reading. So I’m wondering if someone can share some of the standards or norms that children entering grade 1 would have so we can maybe do some work over the summer.

I know it’s going to be shocking to go from her German kindergarten into the long days of the French schools and not having any French is already one hurdle so I don’t want every other child to already be doing long division and it’s then harder for her at all levels.

Hello! I am in the middle of moving from Budapest to Paris to my boyfriend, and I am looking for jobs in Île-de-France since 9 months (of course I was living in Budapest that time). My question is that is it really that impossible to find a job if my French is not the best yet (I studied French for 6 years earlier, so I have the basics, but forgot a lot because I didn’t have the chance to use it - so now it is on A2-B1 level, and my biggest challenge is speaking of course)? My professional area is medical device development, focusing on preparing regulatory compliant documents (and the primary language in that is English everywhere!), risk management and validation testing. I have 5 years of experience in the medical device field in total of which 4 years are spent in the development area. I am relearning the language of course, but it takes time, and I am also a bit desperate and disappointed since this area requires English language very much. Could you provide some advice?

Update: does the country offer language learning courses for expats (for a reasonable price)?

Edit 2: I am already aware that I need to refresh and upgrade my knowledge of French, as I included in the original post, so if you don’t have a practical advice other than that, just scroll through please. I am looking for opportunities for the near future for now.

I need to move from my city, and I have two big suitcases. I am taking a train but I need to make 2 changes and I think it will be difficult to take both of them on the train with me. I am also very short so it becomes very difficult to carry suitcases on the travel. I checked the SNCF luggage transfer service but the reviews are not good. Has anyone used any other service? Alternatively, if you have an advice for me about moving, please let me know.

Thanks