Moving to France

With the global population becoming increasingly mobile, more and more non-French natives are coming to live in France. France has an attraction for many people: the language, the food, the culture, the variety of what the country has to offer, and its perfect location to also explore the rest of Europe. There is a growing trend for British people to want to move to warmer clients and more attractive locations and this has led to a whole industry developing around this re-location of expats.

Moving for the season: ski/summer

Many people start with spending a small amount of time in their chosen country to see how it feels to live there, before taking the plunge and making the move permanent! Thousands of people take the opportunities of seasonal employment in the summer and winter in France to test the water. There are many jobs available in the Alps and the Pyrenees during the ski season doing anything from cleaning or cooking to transfer driving. In the south of France and along the west coast during the summer, there are plenty of opportunities in the summer holiday resorts.

Moving forever

Many people find that once they have spent a season in France, they don’t want to leave! And then take the bigger step of a permanent move. This in itself has wide-reaching implications and so many things to consider….

How to find out about French tax and inter-country taxation
How to find somewhere to live in France
How to find out about French schools for children
How to learn French to be able to integrate fully
How to find employment in France or how to set up your own business in France
How to choose an area to live in
How to find a French property

The list is endless! But fortunately, like we already mentioned, this has become somewhat of a large industry nowadays with many websites (eg easyexpat), magazines, companies and consultants popping up to help the large numbers of people looking to move to France!

There are accountancy firms who have dedicated English-speaking advisors to help with taxation matters and company set ups. Specialist estate agencies are springing up all over France to help expats find and manage properties and often also offer many additional services to help ease the transition into life in France. Magazines like The Connexion, Living in France, The Voice (Geneva), Source Magazine (Morzine) all contain useful articles and information plus links to many local businesses who support this growing expat community.

Finding a job or setting up your own business in France can be either quite straight-forward or quite complicated depending on your profession or level of ambition! Seasonal jobs are quite easy to come across and some professions aren’t as strictly regulated as others. However, it is becoming increasingly common to have to get your qualifications transferred into the French system which can be a lengthy procedure and many people have to attend French courses to complete their business registration. Many accountancy firms offer help with this and we at Alpine French School can also lend a helping hand.

The other thing to consider of course, is how to learn the language! And that is what we are really experts at. Since 2003, Alpine French School has been offering French courses of many kinds to help people learn French. We now have a school in the centre of Morzine and offer many French courses and activities for locals and students from all over the world. From French Intensive Courses to French Conversation Classes while dog-walking and French Summer Camps, we try to offer something for everyone to help all of our students improve their French to be able to work in French, or just chat to their neighbours and order in local restaurants!

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