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France · Checklist

The whole move,
in order.

By Nick · Europe Unlocked · Every figure sourced to an official body and dated.

Every step from "we're serious" to "we live here" — built around the 2026 rules, including the €300 validation tax and the new language requirements. Your ticks are saved in this browser. Print it if paper is more your thing.

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Rules verified 8 July 2026
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Phase 1 · 12–18 months out

Decide with real numbers

Phase 2 · 6–12 months out

Build the paper foundation

Phase 3 · 3–6 months out

Apply — from home, not from France

Phase 4 · Arrival & first 90 days

Become a resident, properly

The rules moved on three fronts this year alone — the language ladder and civic exam (January 2026), the validation tax rise to €300 (May 2026), and the mid-year SMIC rise that shifts the income benchmark (June 2026). The newsletter below is how we tell you when this page changes.

Sources

  1. Visa application, fees (€99 + service fee) and no-work commitment: france-visas.gouv.fr
  2. VLS-TS validation within 3 months and €300 tax (since May 2026): service-public.gouv.fr; ofii.fr; ANEF portal (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr)
  3. PUMa 3-month rule and carte Vitale: service-public.gouv.fr (F34308); ameli.fr
  4. Renewal, 10-year card and citizenship rules (incl. language ladder and civic exam since 1 Jan 2026): service-public.gouv.fr (F16162, F2208, F11926)
  5. Licence exchange within 1 year: ANTS (ants.gouv.fr) and Interior Ministry/consulate reciprocity lists
  6. Pets: EU Regulation 576/2013; USDA APHIS; CFIA
  7. Income benchmark and SMIC: info.gouv.fr; URSSAF — consular benchmark is practice, not law
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