Skip to main content

Moving to France from UK

What the move actually looks like, from UK to France. Rent, taxes, healthcare, and the visa you'll need to sort out first.

Home/France/From UK

Currency

EUR

Healthcare

Public (Sécurité Sociale)

0/mo

Work Visa

2-4 months

processing time

Deposit

1 mo

of rent

Visa & Work Permits

Work permit: Talent Passport for skilled workers. Employer must prove no local candidates.
EU citizens: Free to work. Register with authorities within 3 months.
Processing time: 2-4 months

Which city in France?

CityMedian Salary1BR Rent RangeEnglishNeighborhoods
Paris€4,200€1,100 - €2,4003/514
Lyon€3,500€500 - €1,1002/514
Toulouse€3,400€500 - €1,1003/514
Marseille€3,200€800 - €1,2002/55
Bordeaux€3,400€800 - €1,2503/55
Nice€3,300€920 - €1,6503/55

What the taxman takes: UK vs France

Same gross salary in both places: 4,500 (EUR) per month.

UK

2490.0%

effective tax rate

Net: £3,380/mo

France

3480.0%

effective tax rate

Net: 2,934/mo

Rough numbers for a single filer with standard deductions. Your actual rate shifts with income, city, and your own situation.

What daily life costs in France

Paris

1BR Rent
€1,100 - €2,400
Groceries/mo
€380
Transport Pass
€89
Full breakdown

Lyon

1BR Rent
€500 - €1,100
Groceries/mo
€320
Transport Pass
€74
Full breakdown

Toulouse

1BR Rent
€500 - €1,100
Groceries/mo
€300
Transport Pass
€57
Full breakdown

The up-front bill, moving to France

Rental Deposit

1 month(s) of rent

Agency Fee

1 month(s) of rent

Registration & Admin

0

Deposit capped at 1 month unfurnished. Need guarantor (garant) or Garantme service. Strict tenant requirements.

See what your salary looks like in France

Type in your gross pay. We'll show what lands after tax, which neighborhoods you can actually afford, and how much is left over each month.

Questions people actually ask

How does France compare to UK on cost of living?

It depends on the city. In Paris, a one-bed runs €1,100 to €2,400 and groceries land around €380 a month. In Lyon, a one-bed runs €500 to €1,100 and groceries land around €320 a month. In Toulouse, a one-bed runs €500 to €1,100 and groceries land around €300 a month.

Do I need a visa to work in France from UK?

Talent Passport for skilled workers. Employer must prove no local candidates. If you hold an EU passport: Free to work. Register with authorities within 3 months.. Expect processing to take 2-4 months. Double-check the current rules with the France immigration authority before you book anything.

How does healthcare work in France once you arrive?

France runs a Public (Sécurité Sociale) system. Public covers ~70% of costs. Most people add "mutuelle" top-up insurance (~€30-100/month). Public coverage is roughly €0 a month. Private sits around €50.

How much tax will I pay in France?

On €4,500 gross a month, you're looking at roughly 3480.0% effective. That leaves about €2,934 in your account. The real number moves with your income, your city, and your situation.

What up-front money do I need to move from UK to France?

Budget 1 month(s) of rent for the deposit, plus another 1 month(s) for the agency fee. Registration and paperwork usually come in around €0. Deposit capped at 1 month unfurnished. Need guarantor (garant) or Garantme service. Strict tenant requirements.