Move to France
5 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
France at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
5 years
to permanent residency
5 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires B2 French, a civic examination (80% pass), and an integration interview.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Spouse receives "Talent — Family" permit with unrestricted work access for the duration of the main permit.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in France
5 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Marseille
76/100Lyon
75/100Paris
72/100Montpellier
69/100Nice
69/100What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,604
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 5 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$62,557
GDP per capita
25%
Corporate tax
7.5%
Unemployment
2.0%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
7.99/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
90
/100Freedom House score
#74 of 163
Global Peace Index
#25
Press freedom rank
Is France safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Safest tracked city: Paris (1.1 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
French
Primary language
Moderate
English proficiency (#38 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning French isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to France — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in France?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Marseille ranks #1 in France with a score of 76/100. City-centre rent starts around $902/month.
How much does it cost to live in France?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $902 to $1604/month across our 5 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $2,012.
How do I get permanent residency in France?▾
The path to permanent residency in France typically takes 5 years. Citizenship is possible after 5 years. Note: Requires B2 French, a civic examination (80% pass), and an integration interview.
Is France a democracy?▾
France scores 7.99/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #74 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is France safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in France is 1.4 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.