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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 Rules checked 30 September 2026
0 of 0 steps done
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 Unlock, our free Saturday email 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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