Moving to France from the UK: Your Complete 2026 Guide

You’ve probably had the thought more than once. A slower pace, better food, longer summers. Maybe a house with shutters and a courtyard that costs half what the equivalent would in the UK.

If that thought has started to feel less like a daydream and more like a plan, you’re not alone. Around 150,000 British nationals are estimated to live in France, and the British community remains significant even after Brexit changed the paperwork involved.

The good news is that moving to France from the UK in 2026 is absolutely possible. It’s not the frictionless freedom of EU membership, but the process is manageable with careful preparation. The key is understanding the current rules, giving yourself enough planning time, and making smart decisions early, especially when it comes to where you want to live and whether you’re going to rent or buy.

This guide covers everything: the right visa for your situation, where to live, how the property buying process actually works, what healthcare registration looks like, and the practical steps to get you from browsing listings to collecting your keys.

 

What Moving to France from the UK Means Post Brexit

Brexit fundamentally changed the freedom of movement that UK citizens previously enjoyed across EU countries. Before 2021, you could arrive in France and stay indefinitely. Now, British nationals are generally treated as third country nationals for immigration purposes, so different rules apply when you want to settle in France.

A 90 day limit applies to visa free stays in the Schengen Area. If you arrive in France without making visa arrangements first, you can generally stay for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. Staying beyond your permitted period without the appropriate authorisation can put you in breach of immigration rules. This is particularly important for second home owners who spend extended periods in France.

To stay longer, you generally need to apply for the appropriate long stay visa before you leave the UK. The visa options available cover common situations including employment, retirement, self employment, business activity, and joining qualifying family members.

Once you arrive in France, the steps required to validate your visa or obtain a residence permit depend on the type of long stay visa issued to you. Check the instructions attached to your visa and the official France Visas guidance carefully so that you complete the correct procedure within the required timeframe.

None of this is designed to put people off. Moving to France simply requires more forward planning than it did when the UK was part of the European Union.

Which Visa Do You Need?

The right visa depends on why you’re moving. Here’s a practical overview of some of the main routes available to British nationals.

VLS TS (Long Stay Visa Valid as a Residence Permit)

A VLS TS is issued for a number of long stay categories and can function as a residence permit once it has been properly validated after arrival. The precise conditions, duration, work rights, and validation requirements depend on the category under which your visa was granted.

If you receive a VLS TS, follow the instructions provided with your visa and check the official France Visas portal for the current validation process and deadlines.

Long Stay Visitor Visa

If you’re retired or financially independent and do not intend to work in France, a long stay visitor visa may be appropriate. Applicants normally need to demonstrate adequate financial resources, accommodation, and suitable medical insurance, together with the other documentation required for their circumstances.

The residence procedure after arrival depends on the visa issued. Some long stay visas must be validated online, while others require the holder to apply for a residence permit. Always follow the instructions attached to your individual visa rather than assuming that every long stay visa follows the same process.

Self Employed and Entrepreneur Visas

Planning to run a business or work independently from France? An entrepreneur or profession libérale long stay visa may be appropriate depending on your proposed activity and circumstances.

The entrepreneurial or profession libérale long stay visa must be applied for before travel at the French Consulate. France does not generally permit post arrival applications for long stay visas. Visit france-visas.gouv.fr for the current application process and document requirements.

For detailed and current requirements for your specific situation, check the official France Visas portal. It allows you to check requirements according to your nationality, intended length of stay, and reason for moving.

Where Should You Actually Live in France?

Most relocation guides treat this as a footnote. It shouldn’t be. Choosing the right region matters more than almost any administrative step because France is a large and varied country. Lifestyle, climate, transport, property values, and access to services can differ dramatically from one area to another.

Here’s a practical overview of several regions popular with British buyers and what each one offers.

Normandy

Normandy is one of the most accessible French regions from the UK, with ferry connections that make regular trips between the two countries practical. It appeals to buyers looking for countryside, historic towns, traditional architecture, and property prices that can be considerably lower than those in many parts of southern England.

Browse properties for sale in Normandy on propertyinfrance.com

Brittany

Rugged coastline, a strong local culture, and a distinctive pace of life make Brittany another established choice for British buyers. The region offers traditional towns, rural communities, seafood, beaches, and good access to the UK through ferry routes.

Explore properties for sale in Brittany on propertyinfrance.com

The Dordogne and South West

The Dordogne remains a popular destination for British buyers. Warm summers, medieval villages, local markets, countryside, and an established international community can make adjusting to French life easier for newcomers.

The wider South West also includes areas with access to Bordeaux and its transport network, providing a choice between rural living, market towns, vineyards, and city amenities.

Browse properties for sale in the Dordogne on propertyinfrance.com

The South of France

From Occitanie to the Côte d’Azur, southern France offers sunshine, Mediterranean landscapes, historic villages, vineyards, and extensive outdoor living. Property prices vary significantly. Coastal and internationally recognised destinations can command substantial premiums, while some inland communities provide more affordable alternatives.

Browse properties for sale in the South of France on propertyinfrance.com

Paris and Île de France

For buyers who want city life, Paris and its surrounding departments offer a completely different proposition. Buyers should expect property costs to vary significantly by arrondissement, suburb, property type, and proximity to transport.

The tradeoff is access to one of Europe’s major cultural and economic centres, with extensive public transport, international connections, restaurants, museums, entertainment, and employment opportunities.

You can search all properties for sale across France by region at propertyinfrance.com.

Buying Property in France vs Renting First

A question that comes up in nearly every conversation about moving to France is whether you should buy straight away or rent first.

Renting for the first six to twelve months can give you time to experience an area throughout different seasons before committing to a purchase. Living somewhere is very different from visiting. A village that seems perfect during summer may feel isolated during winter, while a town that initially appears too busy might offer the shops, healthcare, transport, and community you need for everyday life.

That said, plenty of buyers move straight into a purchase, particularly when they already know the area well and are confident in their choice. Foreign nationals can generally purchase French property, although buying a home does not itself provide immigration or residency rights.

How the French Property Buying Process Works

When you find the right property, the purchase commonly follows stages such as these:

• Offer agreed between buyer and seller
• Preliminary sale contract signed, commonly a compromis de vente
• Buyer cooling off period
• Legal checks, searches, financing, and other due diligence completed
• Conveyancing overseen by the notaire
• Final deed, the acte de vente, signed and ownership transferred

Acquisition costs should be included in your budget from the beginning. Costs associated with the notaire and property transfer are generally higher for existing homes than for qualifying new properties, although the exact amount depends on the transaction and property.

One important point: buying a property in France does not automatically grant you the right to live there permanently. Property ownership and immigration status are separate matters. You can own a French property while remaining subject to the immigration rules applicable to your nationality and circumstances.

If you need a French mortgage, propertyinfrance.com, part of France Media Group, offers a mortgage service designed to help buyers understand French lending. Currency is another practical consideration. Exchange rate movements between GBP and EUR can significantly affect the sterling cost of a property purchase, so planning how and when funds will be converted is an important part of the buying process.

Ready to start searching? Browse all properties for sale in France on propertyinfrance.com and filter by region, budget, and property type. You can also set up property alerts to be notified when new listings match your criteria.

Registering as a French Resident

Once you’ve arrived with the appropriate long stay visa, make sure you follow the specific validation or residence permit procedure attached to your visa category.

Validate your visa where required. Holders of visas requiring online validation should complete the official process within the deadline specified by the French authorities. Other visa categories may require a different procedure.

Apply for a titre de séjour where required. If your visa or immigration category requires a residence permit, make the application through the appropriate French authority within the applicable timeframe. Required documentation varies according to your status.

Notify HMRC. If you’re leaving the UK to live abroad, check what information HMRC requires from you. Moving abroad can affect your UK tax position, National Insurance, and entitlement to certain benefits.

Understand your French tax position. Spending more than 183 days in France during a year can be an important indicator of French tax residence, but it should not be treated as the only test.

French tax law, including Article 4B of the Code Général des Impôts, includes several additional tests, including where your household or principal place of residence is located, where your main professional activity is carried out, and where your primary economic interests lie. Any of these criteria can potentially result in French tax residency depending on your circumstances. If in doubt, take specialist tax advice before your move.

France and the UK have a double taxation convention that helps determine taxing rights where both countries are involved. The treatment varies according to the type of income, so professional advice from someone familiar with both French and UK taxation can be valuable.

Healthcare in France for British Nationals

France has an extensive public healthcare system. Your route into that system depends on your residence status and personal circumstances.

Eligible residents generally deal with their local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie, known as CPAM, when applying to join the French health insurance system. Once registered, you can access healthcare under the rules of the French system and may eventually receive a Carte Vitale.

French public health insurance does not necessarily reimburse the full cost of every consultation, treatment, or prescription. Many residents therefore have complementary insurance known as a mutuelle, which can cover some or all of the remaining eligible costs depending on the policy.

If you’re receiving an eligible UK State Pension or certain qualifying benefits, you may be able to obtain an S1 form. The S1 can provide access to state healthcare in France under arrangements between the UK and France. Check your eligibility with the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services before moving.

For temporary visits, eligible UK residents can use a valid UK issued EHIC or GHIC for medically necessary state healthcare under the applicable rules. These cards are intended for temporary stays and should not be treated as a substitute for arranging healthcare coverage when moving permanently to France.

Cost of Living: France vs the UK

France can be cheaper than the UK for some everyday expenses, but the size of any saving depends heavily on where you live and your lifestyle.

According to Numbeo comparison data, rent is over 30% lower in France than in the UK. A one bedroom apartment in a French city centre averages around £648 per month, compared with £1,032 in the UK. Utilities for a typical apartment are around £159 per month in France versus £239 in the UK, while a three course meal for two at a restaurant is around £51 in France compared with £65 in the UK. These figures should be treated as indicative rather than fixed costs.

(Numbeo, August 2026. View the France and United Kingdom cost of living comparison.) Figures shown in sterling reflect the exchange rate at the time the data was retrieved and will shift with currency movements. Numbeo data is crowdsourced and changes as new information is submitted.

Property purchase prices can show substantial differences, particularly outside France’s largest cities and most expensive resort markets. However, buyers should compare current listings in the specific French and UK locations they are considering rather than relying on national averages.

Running costs also vary considerably by region, property type, household size, heating system, transport needs, and lifestyle. Paris and premium areas of the French Riviera can be considerably more expensive than rural France.

The biggest variable for many British movers is currency. If you’re earning or holding savings in GBP while spending in EUR, exchange rate movements can affect your budget. This becomes especially important when transferring a large amount for a property purchase.

Your Moving to France Checklist

A working timeline to guide your preparation:

Before leaving the UK:

• Choose the correct visa category for your circumstances and gather the required documents
• Complete your long stay visa application before travelling to France
• Check current processing times well ahead of your planned move
• Notify HMRC where required
• Decide whether buying or renting first makes more sense for you
• Shortlist regions and research current property listings
• Plan viewing or research trips where appropriate
• Get quotes from international removal companies
• Check whether your UK bank accounts can remain open after you become resident abroad
• Plan how you will exchange GBP into EUR for large transfers
• Arrange appropriate healthcare or insurance for your circumstances

Once in France:

• Complete the validation or residence procedure required for your specific visa
• Apply for French healthcare registration when eligible
• Consider appropriate complementary health insurance
• Apply for or renew your residence permit within the required timeframe where applicable
• Arrange suitable French banking facilities if needed
• Review your French and UK tax residence position using all relevant criteria, not simply the number of days spent in France
• If buying property, work with a notaire and make sure you understand the legal and financial implications before committing to the transaction

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to move to France from the UK?
It’s achievable, but British nationals now need to follow the immigration rules that apply after Brexit. For stays beyond the visa free allowance, you will generally need the appropriate long stay visa before travelling. Give yourself plenty of time to identify the correct visa category, gather documents, and complete the application process.

How much money do I need in the bank to move to France?
There is no single figure that applies to every British person moving to France. Financial requirements depend on the visa category, household circumstances, income, accommodation, and other factors. Applicants for visitor or financially independent routes generally need to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to support themselves without unauthorised employment. Check the current requirements through the official France Visas portal before applying.

Can I live in France permanently if I buy a house?
No. Buying a property in France does not automatically grant immigration or residence rights. Property ownership and immigration status are separate. British nationals who want to live in France must qualify under the appropriate immigration route regardless of whether they own or rent their home.

Do Brits get free healthcare in France?
Not automatically. Your access to French state healthcare depends on your circumstances and eligibility. Once properly registered, eligible residents can receive healthcare under the French system, although the state does not necessarily reimburse every cost in full. Many residents therefore use complementary insurance. Eligible UK pensioners and certain other people may be able to use an S1 form.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in France?
Long term residence rights depend on your immigration category, continuity of legal residence, and whether you meet the applicable requirements at the time of application. Five years of regular residence is an important threshold for many routes, but applicants should check the rules that apply specifically to their status before assuming eligibility.

 

Start Your Search

Moving to France from the UK in 2026 is a process that rewards careful preparation. Immigration, healthcare, tax, banking, and property decisions all need to be considered, but dealing with them in the right order can make the move much easier to manage.

Where you choose to live is just as important as completing the paperwork. Finding the region, town, and property that fit your budget and everyday lifestyle can make a major difference to how successfully you settle into life in France.

propertyinfrance.com is a specialist French property portal for British and international buyers. You can explore properties across France, compare regions and property types, and access information about mortgages, currency, and the French buying process.

Browse all properties for sale in France on propertyinfrance.com