How much income do I need to retire to France?
To obtain a VLS you must prove you have an income at least as high as France's minimum working wage (SMIC). As of 2022 this is around €1,250 net (€1,500 gross) per month, or about €2,000 for a couple. You can show that as a year's income ready in the bank, so around €20,000.
Can an American retire in France? Yes an American can retire in France. For visits longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a visa de séjour temporaire (a residence visa). You cannot apply while on vacation in France, you ust apply for this residency visa from your nearest French consulate in the U.S.
The resident card allows a non European national to stay in mainland and overseas France. The other rights attached to this card depend on the place where it is issued. The resident card allows you to exercise the profession of your choice.
Applying for residence for retiring to France
Lawful residence provides you with all legal rights of a French national, to live in France (to work in France will demand a different visa). Tax residence decides which country has the right to tax your worldwide income, capital gains, and property wealth.
If you have social security credits in both the United States and France, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.
- High living costs.
- Old houses.
- High taxes.
- Complicated bureaucracy.
- Language barrier.
- Shortcoming of jobs.
- High housing tax.
- Too many strikes.
Not so with the U.S.-France tax treaty. In laymen's terms, the U.S. and France agreed that social security income will be taxed based on its source, not where the resident lives: If you're a U.S. citizen with a U.S. retirement account (no matter where you live) that money is only taxable in the U.S.
In other words, the treaty establishes that pensions are taxable only in the source state of the income. As a result, U.S.-source retirement benefits received by an individual domiciled in France for tax purposes remain taxable in the United States.
All US citizens are still required to file an annual US Federal Tax Return regardless of where they live.
If you want to dive deeper into the French lifestyle as a U.S. citizen, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you wish for a more extended or permanent stay, you'll need to secure a visa de long séjour — even the name has a romantic flair — to stay beyond the 90-day limit.
How can a non EU citizen move to France?
You won't be required to get a visa to relocate to France. However, if you're trying to move your family to France with you and they're not EU citizens, they'll be required to get a residence permit. If you're a citizen of an EEA country or Switzerland, all of the same rules and benefits apply to you.
For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay vis. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Whatever the duration of your planned stay, the duration of your long-stay visa must be between three months and one year.

The seven best places for expats to live in France are: Paris, Brittany, Lyon, Montpellier, Luberon, Dordogne, and Provence. These choices are based on what we think will matter most to those of you that are thinking about moving. Check out the table below for our summary, and read on for further detail!
Learning French to at least A2 level is an important requirement for getting your French resident card (Carte de Résident). So if you plan to stay here a while, better start learning! One of the main reasons you should learn French when living in France is to integrate into society and make friends with locals.
U.S. citizens/residents may purchase French real property in their individual names. If they do so, the French real property, as immovable property and under international private law rules, will be governed by French inheritance and tax laws.
All expats must register with a primary care physician. You'll need proof of this registration when applying for public health care at your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) office. Once you've been approved, you can apply for your national health insurance card, the carte vitale (green card).
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them. However, there are certain countries to which we are not allowed to send payments.
Healthcare in France
As a resident, you will have the same healthcare benefits as French citizens. You will be asked to show proof of foreign health insurance to obtain your visa, but you can receive national healthcare benefits when you are a French resident. A typical visit to the doctor costs about $10 to $30.
Toulouse is a cultural melting pot with many expats and international students. The French love Toulouse and have frequently voted it the most attractive place to live in France.
You would need around €850 to €1000 a month to live comfortably in the city centre (as a single person and excluding rental costs). Living comfortably in Nantes or Marseille would only cost you roughly €600 to €700 a month.
What is it like to live in France as an American?
Some perks to living in France as an American include access to stellar healthcare, proximity to other European countries, and stunning landscapes. The climate, (especially in the south), and walkability in many cities and towns are a couple more reasons why Americans have decided to make France their home.
Moving to France from the United States to enjoy the country long-term is an involved process. You'll need to secure a visa, inventory your belongings and find a place to live before you arrive. If you can't work remotely or don't already have a job, you'll need to find employment as well.
401Ks and IRA deductions aren't treated as income to the french, as “you already earned it”. Foreign Savings Income: Foreign savings are taxable in France and thus must be declared, but you can get a tax relief if you pay taxes on these back in your country.
- Panama. Panama tops most lists of the best countries to retire in, and there are good reasons for that. ...
- Costa Rica. ...
- Portugal. ...
- Ecuador. ...
- Greece. ...
- Belize. ...
- Nicaragua. ...
- The Philippines.
- + PRO: Plenty of choice. ...
- - CON: Older housing. ...
- - CON: Housing tax. ...
- + PRO: Slower pace of life. ...
- - CON: Bureaucracy. ...
- + PRO: Many paid holidays. ...
- + PRO: Accessible and convenient urban transportation. ...
- + PRO: Fresh food and great wine.
An employee residing in France for less than 183 days does not owe tax on income earned through their work in the country, as long as their remuneration is paid by or on behalf of an employer which is not established in France.
- Australia.
- Austria.
- Belgium.
- Brazil.
- Canada.
- Chile.
- Czech Republic.
- Denmark.
The United States – France Tax Treaty covers double taxation with regards to different types of income tax and capital gains tax, however, as already mentioned, the benefits are limited for American expats living in France.
Non-residents are subject to IFI in relation to real estate situated in France that they own directly or indirectly when the net value of such assets reach a threshold of € 1.3M.
For starters, you'll need to pay the French occupier's tax (taxe d'habitation) annually, which provides services for the local area. You'll also need to pay French property tax (taxe foncière), which supports the local council.
How much money do you need to get residency in France?
The minimum monthly earnings requirements has therefore increased from nothing to €1,329 net income per month for a single person and around €2,658 net income per month for a couple.
When you apply for your visa, you must provide various documents as well as proof that you have sufficient income. As a guide, income should be equivalent to the 'SMIC' (minimum wage in France) €1231 net per month.
A worker can apply for a retirement pension on the basis of permanent incapacity for work if: They were exposed to work-related risk factors for at least 17 years. This length of exposure can have been accrued under any basic scheme in France or another European Union member State.
2016 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|
Minimum wage | 1466 | 1521 |
Living Wage - Single Adult | 890-1210 | 925-1240 |
Living Wage - Typical Family | 1470-2180 | 1520-2210 |
Real wage of low-skilled worker | 1440-1660 | 1490-1770 |
⁵ This means that although there aren't restrictions on foreigners buying property, you'll need to go through the same process as any other non-EU citizen to get a visa to live in France - and then to apply for permanent residency if you're eligible.
Is It Possible to Buy Property and Get Residency in France? France doesn't enable foreigners to get residency for becoming an owner of a property, regardless of its price.
- American Express Cartes France. ...
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch. ...
- The Bank of New York Mellon (representative office) ...
- Banque AIG (subsidiary) ...
- Goldman Sachs (subsidiary) ...
- Citigroup Global Markets Limited. ...
- JP Morgan Chase Bank (subsidiary) ...
- Banque Lazard.
France allows both local and foreign citizens to open bank accounts here. Also, there also several types of accounts one can set up, in accordance with their needs. The French banking system is a modern one allowing for certain transactions to be carried out online.
- Iceland.
- Netherlands.
- Denmark.
- Israel.
- Finland.
- Australia.
- Norway.
- Sweden.
Healthcare in France
As a resident, you will have the same healthcare benefits as French citizens. You will be asked to show proof of foreign health insurance to obtain your visa, but you can receive national healthcare benefits when you are a French resident. A typical visit to the doctor costs about $10 to $30.
What is the average rent in France?
...
Average monthly rent for rental housing in France in 2021, by property size (in euros)
Many people who move to France do so without being able to speak any French. Although it might be acceptable for certain professions, most expats will find that their having more fun as they pick up the language. Generally, people develop their language skills out of necessity.
Hotel Service
You can also consider leaving one large tip at the end of your stay. Bellhop or Doorman - €2 minimum with €1 for each additional bag. Housekeeping - €2 to €4 per night for each person staying in the room.