7 biggest mistakes when moving to France in 2024

To help you avoid the 7 biggest mistakes of moving to France, the team at advance moves international removals have compiled a list, based on both experience and input from clients over the last 20 years. With even more confusion surrounding life after Brexit and the whole relocation process of moving to France from the UK in 2024, we hope this list will aide you with the whole process of moving to France and prevent you from making the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to France that so many people have experienced.

The 7 biggest mistakes when moving to France are:-

1. The first biggest mistake people make when moving to France is not doing enough research.

Before you move to France, you really need to know legally what is required to make the move to France, and to legally becoming a resident in France. The Advance Moves website contains many pages of information on moving to new countries. There is a page dedicated to Moving to France.  This page  contains vital information on what is involved in relocating to France and being able to live in France legally. With changes due to Brexit, the pages contain information from driving, living, working and retiring in France, right through to schooling and healthcare in France.

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There is also help online from the British government on Moving to France and the Brexit situation which can also be read about on the EU information website.

You will also need to consider and research regarding your finances. When  moving to France, you will likely now be required to have certain funds available in order to qualify to live in France, as well as have the funds to pay for the documentation in order to live in France.

Doing the research is a good way to avoid one on the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to France.

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2  Many people do not explore enough of France as a country before deciding where to live.

So you go on holiday, have a great time, and decide you want to live there. France is a large country with varying weather [patterns.  It is one thing to holiday in an area and quite something else to live there. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to settle on an area, having not explored the country.  This leads to often expense later on when people realise there is a better place to be.  If you are looking to relocate to France, then take your time renting , don’t settle on one area and explore. There is so much more to France than what you see on a two week holiday, take your time, put your possessions in store for a while, and find where you really want to be.

Advance moves can save you time and money on removal costs.

Using the Advance Moves quick quote system can significantly save you time and money when moving house Internationally. Just click on the link for your instant online quote and then compare quotes from up to the 5 best removal companies already pre-selected to match your moving requirements. Get the best deals on international removals today.

3. The third and most common mistake when moving to France is selling up.

Lets sell our house and move to France! OK so you loved the holiday, but what if you do not like living there. We have moved many people to France and then unfortunately back to the UK as they just couldn’t settle.  Our advice would be that whilst rents are high in the UK, they are not high in France. Rent your UK property out, enjoy the income, which will allow you more freedom to explore France without the pressure of a dwindling bank account, and then when or if you are sure you want to move to France permanently, sell your UK property.  If you are not sure, then your UK home still awaits,  that way there is not a huge financial loss.

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4.  Another mistake is not doing all you can to prepare for your move to France from the UK.

There is actually quite a lot you can do towards your move to France whilst you are still living in the UK, and this will make you much more prepared when you arrive in France.  Of course there are the obvious things like closing down bank accounts, direct debits etc that relate to your life in the UK, but there is also a lot of French paperwork you can also do. You can employ a French solicitor to start paperwork for you, contact the French embassy to obtain the information regarding what you need to apply for documentation. Did you know you can even open a French bank account from the UK easily.

Advance moves can save you time and money on removal costs.

Using the Advance Moves quick quote system can significantly save you time and money when moving house Internationally. Just click on the link for your instant online quote and then compare quotes from up to the 5 best removal companies already pre-selected to match your moving requirements. Get the best deals on international removals today.

5. the 5th biggest mistake when moving to France is not making a check list.

Knowing what you have done and what needs to be done is a must when making a life changing move, like moving to France, therefore a check list is a very important thing, that many people do not make the effort to do.  This is not a simple move you are doing, and being organised is key.  You will need to organise document applications, as well as the mundane things like contacting service providers in the UK. A check list will help you make sure you keep on top of the important things, so that when move day arrives, there is not last minute panic. Don’t make panicking one of the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to France.

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6. the 6th biggest mistake when moving to France is taking the kitchen sink!

One major oversight for a lot of people is de-cluttering.  the actual removal seems to get left to the last minute, this leads to people moving items to France that they really don’t need or want, and this is costly. You need to remember that life in France is different. Your furniture may not be in the same style that suits your new French home.  You also need to consider if this warrant the cost of the removal process. Your solid oak dining table of course will be worth the move cost, but that Ikea wardrobe – probably not.  Often houses in France come fully furnished in the house sale, so this is also worth considering. Do not end up wasting valuable funds on senseless removal costs, but take the most valuable of your items with a trusted removal company. You can calculate moving costs  at Advance moves  and obtain comparison quotes to aid you with your moving plans.

Advance moves can save you time and money on removal costs.

Using the Advance Moves quick quote system can significantly save you time and money when moving house Internationally. Just click on the link for your instant online quote and then compare quotes from up to the 5 best removal companies already pre-selected to match your moving requirements. Get the best deals on international removals today.

7. Our final mistake for you (and possibly the most costly) is of course not getting a good deal on your removal costs.

 Selecting a high quality removal company for the right price is a very important factor to consider when moving to France. You want your goods to be looked after and arrive in good condition on the date that you want to move into your new house in France. All of this sounds simple enough but to actually find a mover that suits all your requirements can be tricky. Luckily for you this is where Advance Moves can save you a whole load of time and money. A visit to the Advance moves site will give you the opportunity to obtain a quick quote for your removal in just 30 seconds.

Advance moves can give you an instant online quote for your removal to France in just 30 seconds.

Just enter some basic information about your removal to France and within 30 seconds you will have a quick quote emailed to you. Then the real magic begins. After receiving the quick quote you will then start to receive up to 6 more accurate quotes from independent professional removal companies that have been specially selected to best match your removals criteria. The service is free and without obligation it just the quickest and easiest way to get quotations for your removal to France.

If you are moving from France to the UK, or to any other worldwide location then advance moves can give you an instant online quote for moving from France.

Save time and money on your removal to France with advance moves.

Click here to get your 30 seconds quick quote.

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7 key points that you should cover to make a move to France as easy as possible.

Moving from the UK to France involves several important steps. Here are seven key points to consider:

  1. Research and Plan:
  • Understand the requirements for moving to France, including visa and residency permits, especially post-Brexit. Research the cost of living, healthcare, education, and job opportunities in your chosen area.
  1. Visa and Residency Permits:
  • Determine the type of visa you need based on your purpose of moving (e.g., work, study, retirement). Apply for the appropriate visa and ensure you have all necessary documentation, such as proof of income, health insurance, and accommodation.
  1. Find Accommodation:
  • Start looking for housing in advance. Decide whether you will rent or buy a property. Consider temporary accommodation initially to allow time to find a suitable long-term home.
  1. Healthcare Registration:
  • Register with the French healthcare system (PUMa). If you are employed, your employer will typically handle this. Otherwise, you may need to register as a self-employed person or through a private health insurance plan.
  1. Open a Bank Account:
  • Open a bank account in France to manage your finances. This will be essential for receiving your salary, paying bills, and handling other financial transactions.
  1. Education and Language:
  • If you have children, research and enroll them in schools. Learn French to ease your integration into the community. Many regions offer language courses for newcomers.
  1. Moving Logistics:
  • Arrange for the transportation of your belongings. Decide whether you will hire a professional moving company or handle it yourself. Make sure to update your address with relevant UK and French authorities, and notify banks, insurers, and other service providers about your move.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother transition when moving from the UK to France.

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