France

"Liberté, égalité, fraternité" ("Liberty, equality, fraternity")

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Welcome to France

France, a global center of art, culture, and cuisine, is known for its iconic landmarks and rich history. Its diverse economy, driven by industries from luxury goods to aerospace, makes it a powerhouse in Europe.

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France Essentials

National Anthem

La Marseillaise

Independence Day

July 14, 1789 (Bastille Day, not independence day)

Haiko

Eiffel Tower gleams / Champagne bubbles in glasses / Louvre guards Mona's smile

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste with bonfires and feasts

Weirdest Local Superstition

Walking backwards brings bad luck

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to name a pig Napoleon

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the culture, stay for the creativity: France elevates daily life into an art form that extends far beyond its celebrated capitals. Here, innovation pulses through historic streets, while afternoons might include working from a château or brainstorming in a seaside co-working space. Recent tech visa initiatives and investment programs have opened new pathways to embracing the French art of living.

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Allons-y

Discover a land where l'art de vivre isn't just a phrase, but daily practice. Your story becomes part of a timeless tradition of excellence.

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Bienvenue en France

Famous for its cheese wine and the Eiffel Tower which is basically a giant metal croissant

France isn't just a country—it's an art of living. Here, time moves at the pace of a leisurely lunch, and even a simple market visit becomes an education in taste. This is a land where culture isn't observed, but lived with passionate intensity.

From the glittering lights of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence, France offers sophistication for every cultural connoisseur. Whether you're drawn to the wine regions of Bordeaux, the alpine majesty of Chamonix, or the coastal charm of the Côte d'Azur, you'll find a country where life's pleasures are elevated to an art form.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

coq au vin (chicken in wine sauce) - croissant (butter pastry)

Drink

champagne (sparkling wine) - pastis (anise-flavored spirit)

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Soif?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

39

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

43

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

5.97

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.26

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Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
La bise (cheek kissing) varies by region and relationship status
#2
Bread is placed directly on the table not on plates during meals
#3
Wine ordering has complex social etiquette - regional knowledge is valued
#4
It's considered rude to eat while walking or on public transport
#5
Speaking quietly in public spaces is a mark of good manners

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France Essentials

Representative Novel

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Classic novel set in France, capturing its social and political history)

National Animal

Gallic rooster

National Pasttime

Football (Soccer)

National Souvenir

Bottle of champagne

National Dish

Pot-au-feu

Famous Festival

Bastille Day

Famous Dance

Can-can

Famous Music

Chanson

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Did You Know?

France is the most visited country in the world.

With over 89 million visitors annually, France consistently ranks as the top tourist destination globally.

France has the most Nobel Prize winners in Literature.

With 15 Nobel laureates in Literature, France holds the record for the most prizes in this category.

The French language is spoken by over 275 million people worldwide.

French is an official language in 29 countries, making it a truly global language.

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France’s Key Historical Events

1,789

April 2014

French Revolution begins, leading to the end of the monarchy.

1870

July 2014

Franco-Prussian War ends, and the Third Republic is established.

1940

February 2015

Nazi Germany occupies France during World War II.

1958

March 2015

Fifth Republic is established under Charles de Gaulle.

1992

October 2016

France signs the Maastricht Treaty, establishing the European Union.

MOBILITY

Access France Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

4

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Conditional
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
4 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 5 years for children

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

160

Performance Class

Borderless Elite

Passport Grade

A+

Rank

4

Score

191.7

This visa grants access to:

• 66% of the world's population 

• 86% of UNESCO sites 

• 93% of global GDP 

• 68% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to France by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
France
99,835
104,837
109,838
110,843
110,802
113,721
152,639

MOBILITY

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Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

41.8

years

Life Expectancy

82.8

years

Obesity Rate

21.60%

Tobacco Use

28.80%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

12.31%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

5.98

per 1000 people

Doctors

3.324

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

8.92%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Universal Healthcare System

France offers universal healthcare to all residents through a public system funded by taxes, providing comprehensive coverage for most medical treatments.

Private Healthcare Options

In addition to public healthcare, France offers private options for faster services and specialized treatments, often covered by supplemental insurance.

High-Quality Hospitals

France is home to some of the best hospitals in the world, offering advanced medical care and well-trained specialists in a wide range of fields.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates living in France are entitled to the same public healthcare benefits as residents, with private insurance available for additional coverage.

Preventive Healthcare Focus

France places a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare, offering free or low-cost screenings, vaccinations, and routine check-ups to all residents.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

France offers a high standard of living with costs varying significantly between urban and rural areas. Paris is notably expensive, ranking among the priciest cities globally, while provincial towns are more affordable. Housing in major cities, especially Paris, is very costly. Food costs are moderate, with local markets offering good value. Utilities are reasonably priced. Public transportation is efficient and relatively affordable in cities. Education costs are low, with many universities offering free or low-cost programs.

Cost of Gasoline

$2.01

per liter

Cost of Meal

$16.71

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$857.61

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$206.04

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$6.69

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

20%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Understanding France's complex tax environment is vital before moving there since it imposes progressive personal income taxes ranging from 11% up to 45%, along with social charges applicable based upon residency status —residents pay these charges while non-residents do not unless they earn French-source incomes.+ Furthermore, property/wealth taxes may also apply requiring Numéro fiscal de référence numbers during compliance processes.+France maintains an active double taxation treaty relationship with USA preventing dual-taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days or primary residence

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

Yes

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

11%-45%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%-34%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

5%-60%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

25%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

25%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

25%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

0%-25%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

25%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered domiciled in France if their habitual abode or principal place of sojourn is in France, they carry out professional activities in France, or France is the center of their economic interests.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

61

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

79.2

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

60.7
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

139
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

9

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

92.4
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Generally cool winters and mild summers

Average Temperature

11.65 °C

Humidity

76

%

Average Annual Precipitation

867

mm

Rainless Days per Year

243

Best Time to Travel

April-October

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in France

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in France.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in France?

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Do I need to speak French to apply for residency or citizenship in France?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in France with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to France?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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