Moving to France: Your Checklist

[Simon Hopes]

It is a well known fact that moving is usually a stressful process, but moving abroad is often much more daunting. After all, when the majority of us move abroad it is usually the first and only time we will be completing such a big move and this can bring its own set of worries. Moving to France is something many British people do and it is one of the most popular destinations when it comes to relocating from the UK.

 Though France is just across the channel and is relatively nearby in the grand scheme of things, there is still a lot to consider. Anglo Info, a site designed for ex-pats, provides a great deal of information on what to consider when moving to France. Using their checklist can help to keep things organised and helps to ensure nothing important is forgotten about or overlooked. Here are some of the key things to remember if you are moving to France.

 

Checklist for Moving to France

 

Important Documents - It is important to have all your key documents organised before relocating to France from the UK, and that doesn’t just mean ensuring you have a passport that hasn’t expired. There are lots more other, equally important, documents to think about including visas, permits and international driving permits. Having all of these in order well before you make the big move to France not only means everything is in order before you go, but it gives you enough time to make any additional applications if necessary.

 

Insurance - As with all things in life, when you move to France there is a risk that something could go wrong, but as long as you have the correct insurance in place it need not be something you should worry about. There are insurance policies to cover most aspects of moving abroad and the most important are health insurance, vehicle insurance and home insurance. Before you leave the UK it is advised to research the type of insurance policies you will need and to set them all up correctly.

 

Bank Accounts and Credit Cards - Something that is often overlooked is letting your bank or building society know you are moving; after all, you want to avoid having letters and statements sent to your old UK address. Also, consider international banking as transferring large amounts of money from a UK account to a French one, and vice versa, can be costly so keeping these fees down is helpful. Additionally, it is a good idea to look into setting up a bank account before you move to France; this not only means everything is setup before you arrive, but becomes helpful if you need to make purchases or plan to earn immediately.