Official Documentation When Moving to France

Thousands of UK residents relocate each year to the warmer climates of Europe, with France being one of the most popular places to settle. Only a few hours away from London, France is seen as a little bit of exotic continental Europe right on the doorstep of the UK and the culture, lifestyle and environment prove to be a big draw for many UK citizens.

Since Brexit, UK citizens need a visa to stay in France for more than 90 days, but as with any move abroad there are certain documents you must remember to take with you.

Important Documents to Take When Moving to France

As with any move abroad, it's fundamental to take all your official UK documentation with you. When moving to France, remember that you will need to have your documents translated into French and you can either do this in the UK before you go or when you arrive in France. Essential documents you will need are:

• Birth Certificate
• UK Passport
• UK Driving Licence
• Marriage Certificate
• Insurance Paperwork

UK citizens moving to France must first obtain a long-stay visa before arrival, then apply for a residency card (carte de séjour). Application fees are planned to be €350-375 from 2026. This will allow you to work freely in France and to obtain the correct social security documents. In most cases, your employer will deal with this for you and you shouldn't have too many issues with social security paperwork. The Securite Sociale can be used to reimburse you for certain expenses, pay you any pension you're entitled to and a variety of other social services.

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Healthcare in France as a UK Citizen

UK citizens moving to France must arrange private health insurance as part of their visa requirements. The NHS works on a residence-basis and therefore you are expected to receive treatment in France in accordance with local law. In order to ensure your documentation is all correct:

• Notify your GP that you wish to be removed from the NHS register
• Register within 3 months of arriving in France and provide evidence that you are financially able to pay for your own medical needs
• Show evidence of private health insurance that meets French visa requirements
• Speak to your UK health authority to see whether you need a specific form to take to France due to your own personal circumstances
• When in France find out about the Carte Vitale and how you can register

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Proving You Are an Official Resident of France

Many UK expats complain of the high amount of paperwork and bureaucracy in France for new citizens residing there permanently. If you have been a resident in France for over five years, in order to prove you actually reside there, you must have tax statements, utility bills, bank statements and other evidence of your involvement in the local community.

This means that you are able to prove you officially live there and are therefore entitled to be treated as any other French citizen. UK citizens must obtain a long-stay visa before traveling to France, then validate it online within 3 months of arrival. After the visa expires, they can apply for a carte de séjour. If you're planning to stay indefinitely, it will be issued for 5 years initially and can be extended after this time.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Moving Abroad Checklist Builder lets you build a personalised checklist for emigrating. Covers visas, finances, healthcare and more. Try it now →