Let’s face it, even for Americans just wishing to have a pied-a-terre in France, or abroad, they must pay attention to certain realities.
As a British person, I may not have firsthand experience with the deep-rooted cultural challenges Americans face when moving to France. However, through years of helping Americans live and work abroad, I can tell you that we understand the unique hurdles that come with such a move. At LBS, we’re more than prepared to tackle them. With in-house expertise and a trusted network of seasoned financial advisors, we’re your one-stop shop to help make your dream of living in France a reality. We’re here with you, every step of the way.
Let’s face it—even for Americans considering a simple pied-à-terre in France, there are critical realities to address. Preparation is essential to create the right setup for a smooth, successful transition. Ideally, our journey together begins the moment your idea to live in France becomes a real goal.
Working with Americans over my 15 years in the relocation business has been an absolute pleasure, though not without its challenges. Let’s explore some of the common obstacles Americans face—and yes, how LBS can help you with each one. At the heart of it all is a need to get the paperwork in order.
Visas
Like other non-Europeans, Americans need a visa to stay in France beyond the 90-day allowance in the Schengen Zone. With over 15 years of experience, we specialize in guiding clients through the visa process. We’ll work with you to explore the right visa options for your situation, including visas for starting a business in France as an American—a path we’ve helped clients succeed in time and again, with a 100% success rate.
Healthcare
Once settled, you’ll have access to the high-quality French healthcare system. However, for Americans, specific documents are required, and sometimes, they need to be sent multiple times! Translations and communicating your status to the CPAM health service can be complex, but once you’re in the system, you’ll receive the same reimbursement rates as French residents. To help you understand France’s healthcare system in more depth, I’ve created an e-guide, available here: Your Health Care in France – LBS in France.
Taxation
The U.S. is one of the few countries with citizen-based taxation, meaning that if you live in France full-time or own a vacation home, you’ll need to work with both French and international accountants who specialize in the U.S./France double tax treaty. This treaty is a fantastic resource, especially for retirees. During our Residency & Relocation planning meeting, we’ll cover this in depth, working alongside experienced financial advisors to ensure all aspects of your finances are managed—your real estate, assets, and inheritance. With LBS, you’ll have peace of mind when it comes to your financial life in France.
Banking
Owning or renting property doesn’t automatically grant you easy access to a French bank account due to the extensive reporting requirements under FATCA. We have a network of banks that work with our American clients, and we’ll assist with all the paperwork, offering a frustration-free banking solution.
Property
The French real estate market is very different from the U.S. Americans are used to a clear and open real estate marketplace – France could not be more different which causes lots of distress and misunderstanding when wanting to buy your forever home in France! There is no centralized MLS system, and commission-sharing among agents is uncommon, meaning you’re often left to do much of the searching on your own. Online property portals, similar to Zillow, exist, but the lengthy closing process (about three months) often results in listings remaining online even after they’re under contract. Our property services are here to make sure your search is time- and cost-efficient and that the dream property you choose is exactly that—a dream, not a nightmare. Unlike agents who represent the seller, we work solely for you, backed by over 10 years of experience helping clients find and secure their ideal homes in France.
Settling In
Once you have your visa and home, there’s a long list of administrative steps to complete your move. These tasks are challenging enough on their own, let alone with a language barrier and time-zone differences. Our bespoke Serenity packages offer peace of mind, ensuring that whatever obstacles arise, we’ve got you covered.
LBS is your one-stop shop for a bespoke relocation to France. If your vision is to live your best life in France, we’re here to make that happen.
Book a short assessment call with one of our team members to see how we can turn your dream into reality.
