Moving to France - Practical Matters
Return to main 'Living in France' page
Practical matters:
Bank accounts - if you call in at a local bank in France, with a passport and some form of ID (the notaire will be able to provide this), opening a bank account should be easy and painless.
Do remember, in France you are not allowed to go overdrawn in your bank account, so don't allow this possibility to arise. Your account can be closed, and Bank of France maintain a register of 'offenders' so you will not be able to open an account anywhere else. This is a major problem if it happens.
Health arrangements - speak to social security in your own country before leaving, and they will give you documentation enabling you to have health cover in France. if arriving from the UK this lasts for two years. If you are a pensioner, you will receive a card that allows this to continue, and if you are working you will have paid social security in France within two years, and will be eligible under that system.
Utilities - getting phones and electricity connected. Usually you will find that the estate agent will be able to sort these out for you, or the appropriate utility companies, so they tend to take care of themselves.
Related sections: An introduction: Living in France
Financial considerations: Finances of moving
to France
Moving on a limited budget / how little money can you move with:
Relocating on a budget
Language considerations: problems with learning the language:
Language problems for expats
Meeting people and becoming established: living
in a French community
Schools and education: expat children in French
schools
