French residence permit: what issues need to be resolved when moving to the country

Moving to another country is not just about collecting certificates, drawing up documents, and renting accommodation. Moving (temporary or permanent) is always associated with solving a lot of important issues, both in the home country and in the new place. The specialists of the migration-center GARANT.IN have prepared a detailed guide to moving and tried to highlight the most common issues that need to be solved when moving.

If we do not take into account moving through repatriation, marriage to a foreign citizen, and investment citizenship, some of the most common ways to obtain a residence permit in France remain:

• formal employment;
• studying at a university;
• opening a business.

Residence permit in France: what issues need to be closed in the homeland before the move

Before going abroad, it is necessary to settle and close several important issues at home.

Migration issues

Having issued a long-term visa of any category or a residence permit of another country, a citizen of the Russian Federation must notify the regulatory authorities. The deadline for submitting a notification to the migration department is 60 days from the date of receipt of the document. If the applicant received the document outside the Russian Federation and could not do it in person, the deadline for submission is 60 days from the moment of entry into the territory of the Russian Federation. To avoid conflict situations with state authorities, it is advisable to inform them about the receipt of any document that allows you to reside outside the country for more than 6 months and about the prolongation of its validity.

When leaving the country for permanent residence, the following formalities must be observed:

• Submit an application and a package of documents to the district body of the State Migration Service of the Russian Federation or the Russian Consulate in France.
• Having received a positive decision, deregister at the place of residence in Russia.
• Submit exit declarations and receive a certificate from the State Fiscal Service.
• Visit the State Migration Service and get a mark on your passport about your departure for permanent residence.
• Register at the consulate at the place of residence.

The issue with departure may be limited if the applicant has outstanding debts to the state - large utility debts, not closed accounts payable and receivable, debts on alimony.

Tax obligations

The status of a tax resident is assigned to a citizen of the Russian Federation if he stays in the country for at least 183 days a year. If this period is exceeded, he is automatically transferred to the status of a non-resident, in connection with which his tax obligations change: the tax base is calculated differently, the tax rate changes, and the rights to tax deductions are canceled. 

You still have to pay land, property, and transportation tax on the remaining property (in this case the rates for residents and non-residents are identical). If you still do not have a personal account on the website of the tax service, it is necessary to do so to constantly monitor the situation and pay taxes promptly. 

Currency control

In France, it is necessary to open an account in a local bank for personal needs and, possibly, for doing business. But even when moving to another country, a Russian citizen will remain a currency resident of Russia for at least another year. He or she must submit notifications to the Federal Tax Service on opening and closing of accounts in foreign banks, inform the Federal Tax Service of changes in their details, and prepare annual reports on cash flows on foreign currency accounts. 

Payments on shares of Russian companies, income from sales of foreign securities, and income from most contracts will be considered illegal financial transactions. A citizen of the Russian Federation becomes a currency non-resident and is exempt from the above restrictions only after one year of permanent residence outside the Russian Federation. It is important to understand that crossing the border and arriving even for a part of a day in the country returns the citizen to the obligations of a currency resident and the countdown of the new period begins again. 

Inheritance issues

Relocation to France or another country will also affect inheritance relations. According to the laws of the Russian Federation, real estate can be inherited by law in the country of its location (registration), and movable property - in the country of the last place of residence of the testator.

If a citizen of the Russian Federation permanently resided abroad, owned an apartment and shares there, as well as a house in Russia, then in case of his death - the apartment and securities will be inherited under the law of the country of residence, and real estate in the Russian Federation under the laws of the Russian Federation. By the way, in another country, there may be completely different procedures and requirements. If you do not want to delve into the legal subtleties yourself, the specialists of the migration agency GARANT.IN will help you to understand the intricacies of French (or other) legislation on your issue.   

Service in the army

Having passed the migration control and leaving for permanent residence in another country, the applicant ceases to be subject to military service. It is worth taking into account that if a man of conscription age moves to another country, he needs to obtain permission from the military commission at the place of registration

Documents and other tasks

Before moving to a residence permit in France, it is necessary to finalize those things that can not be reached from another country.

First, make a power of attorney for a close person or relative in case you need to solve any important issues in an accelerated manner: something to register and register in the bank, solve issues with a notary, transfer money, sell property, or real estate. You can also issue a power of attorney to the lawyers of the licensed agency GARANT.IN. 
Second, set up online banking so you can use your card anywhere in the world. Also, inform the bank that you will be using the card in France so that your account is not blocked for atypical transactions. 

Third, gather all important documents and take them with you. It is important to have originals and copies notarized and certified translated into English/French. Each applicant has a different set of documents, but the universal list looks like this:

• Educational diplomas with their attachments.
• Documents confirming the level of foreign language proficiency.
• Resident and foreign passport.
• Certificate of marriage/divorce/children's birth/adoption/deprivation of rights - all of them.
• Medical card with immunization records.
• Driver's license.
• Certificate of accident-free driving. It is necessary to request in the MREO, State Automobile Inspection and insurance, where the car is registered. If you do not have a license, but in the future you plan to drive a car, it is recommended to get a license before departure. Getting a license in France is long and expensive. It is much easier to re-register those obtained at home.

All documents should have copies and scans, be in electronic and paper form, saved on several carriers. They should be carried only in hand luggage. 

What issues should be worked out before moving to France

Before moving to live in another country (temporarily or permanently), it is necessary to analyze several important aspects and, if possible, prepare for them at home.

Residence permit - status, card, prolongation

France issues 11 types of residence permits, among them - for family reunification, student, FNL, Passport-Talent, employment, and others. With a valid residence permit status should not forget about its timely renewal. You will need to comply with the conditions of the residence permit and apply to the prefecture of your place of residence no later than 2 months before the expiration date of the card. You can find out in advance whether you can submit the renewal package online or whether you need to apply in person. 

After 5 years in the status of residence permit, the applicant can apply for permanent residence and after another 5 years - apply for a French passport. In some individual cases, the deadlines can be shortened - for example, when marrying a local citizen. 

Cards and accounts in French banks

Foreign residents can open accounts in French banks if they have a long-term visa D / residence permit card and a permanent address of residence/registration. The address needs to be confirmed, for this purpose, you can provide several months of utility receipts. 
To open an account, it is necessary to contact the bank manager in advance and arrange an appointment. Depending on the applicant's situation, the bank may request several additional documents - a contract with the company, a document stating the applicant's salary, a marriage certificate to a French citizen, and a document confirming enrollment in a university. A full list of documents that may be needed specifically for your case, is desirable to discuss in advance with the manager. 

In case the bank refuses to open an account, even though you have all the necessary documents and certificates, you will need to request an official written refusal and appeal to the Banque de France (the Central Bank of France) with it. The regulator will oblige the banking institution to open an account, but this may take at least 2 months.

Work and taxation

Usually, a residence permit is obtained based on employment, but it happens that the applicant went to France on a student residence permit or for family reunification, and then he needs to get a job. And he has not previously studied the labor market. We have collected and processed some basic data on this issue:

- The average salary in France for the second half of 2023 was 2587€ after deducting all taxes. 

- France has a progressive income tax. When paying the tax liability, the tax office deals directly with the tax resident. Declarations are required to be filed by every one who resides in the country - citizens and foreign residents. 
Every month the employer pays pension, insurance, and other contributions. Employees regularly receive a fiche de paie (payroll statement), which shows the amount of salary before tax deductions, the amount of time worked, the amount of contributions, and the salary received by the employee after all taxes and duties have been paid. On average, the difference between the salary received and the salary "in hand" after tax deductions is 23%.

Without knowledge of French, you can get a job that does not require high qualifications - courier, cleaner, loader. Knowledge of French allows you to try your hand at a higher-paid position. 

Kindergartens and schools

It is not obligatory to go to kindergarten, but the vast majority of French children start attending preschools from the age of 3. From the age of 6, children move on to elementary school, where education lasts for 5 years. Further 4 years they study in secondary school, which is equal to college. Further, 3 years of education are in lyceums.

In France, there are public and private educational institutions. In private ones, the cost of education is quite high and can start from 30 000€/year. In public institutions, education is free, but if it is a boarding house, you need to pay about 10,000 €/year.

To enroll your child in school, you must first register at the city hall of your place of residence or registration, and then at the school itself with a package of documents. Before enrollment, the child takes tests and teachers determine the level of knowledge to decide which class the student can be enrolled in. If the level of knowledge of French is weak or zero, the child will still be admitted to the school, but in a specialized class with the study of French.

To enroll your child in a school or college, you must contact CASNAV (Academic Center for the Education of Newly Arrived Children). During tests and interviews, teachers assess the level of preparation and may recommend the student for enrollment.

Housing

The cost of renting and buying housing differs dramatically from region to region. The most expensive housing is traditionally located in the capital. According to the Se Loger service, the average cost of a m² is 22€ for a one-bedroom apartment, 15€ for a two-bedroom apartment, and about 12€ for a three-bedroom apartment.

One of the main problems when looking for and renting accommodation in France is finding a guarantor who will vouch for the tenant and act as his guarantor. The guarantor can be a physical person (a French citizen with a stable permanent income) or a moral person (specialized services). A physical guarantor must prove his income and provide a certificate. The moral guarantors include VISALE and GarantMe services, the first of which is free of charge, and the second will take about 50% of the commission from the monthly cost of the rented accommodation. 

Medical services

Foreign residents with a visa D or residence permit status can get free state medical insurance, Carte Vitale. It allows you to cover most of the costs of medical services. There are some exceptions that the insurance will not cover, such as dental services. 

To cover 100% of your medical expenses, you must take out a paid health insurance policy. The type and cost will depend on the purpose of the applicant's move to France. In some cases, the policy is paid for by the employer. Students can buy insurance for 110 €/year and cover 100% of their medical expenses.

Benefits and allowances

Foreign residents in France can count on financial support from the state. You can apply to the Family Allowances Fund (CAF).  To check which benefits you may qualify for, you can request information on the official CAF online portal. For example, it could be a partial reimbursement of the cost of renting a home. The amount of the payment will depend on the applicant's income, region of residence, marital status, and other factors.

Some residents with visa or residence permit status may qualify for unemployment benefits. Check with the employment service (Pôle Emploi) for more details. Depending on the region, there are certain benefits and discounts for certain categories of foreigners. For example, lower fares on public transport and discounted tickets to theaters or museums. 

It is difficult to cover all the documents or necessary things that should be taken care of when moving in one material. If you need legal assistance, please contact the specialists of the migration agency GARANT.IN. We will help you not only to settle all issues in your home country but also to properly prepare and adapt to the new place.