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The #1 platform for American citizens looking to relocate, live, and build their life in France
Sourced and dated guides on visas, housing, banking, healthcare and taxes, written for U.S. citizens. When reading is not enough, the France Navigator turns them into your own plan.
No signed lease yet? Here are the four accommodation documents French consulates accept for a long-stay visa as an American, and how to prepare each one.
Visa & Legal Status
No signed lease yet? Here are the four accommodation documents French consulates accept for a long-stay visa as an American, and how to prepare each one.
Visa & Legal Status
French consulate denied your long-stay visa? Understand the refusal, your appeal options, and how to reapply successfully as an American in 2026.
French consulate denied your long-stay visa? Understand the refusal, your appeal options, and how to reapply successfully as an American in 2026.
Can Americans work remotely on a French student visa? The 964-hour rule, US employer complications, and the freelance trap most students miss.
Can Americans work remotely on a French student visa? The 964-hour rule, US employer complications, and the freelance trap most students miss.
Everything U.S. citizens need to apply for a French long-stay visa in 2026: visa types, required documents, timelines, and what to do after arrival.
Everything U.S. citizens need to apply for a French long-stay visa in 2026: visa types, required documents, timelines, and what to do after arrival.
Applying from the US? How the TLScontact appointment for a French long-stay visa works: booking, what to bring, biometrics, and the mistakes to avoid.
Applying from the US? How the TLScontact appointment for a French long-stay visa works: booking, what to bring, biometrics, and the mistakes to avoid.
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This part trips up a lot of Americans, and it rarely gets easier on the second try. If you'd rather not handle it alone, we can take it off your plate.
This part trips up a lot of Americans, and it rarely gets easier on the second try. If you'd rather not handle it alone, we can take it off your plate.
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France Navigator
Stop searching. It's all in one place.
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The App that guides you from the moment you start thinking about your move to France, through the relocation process, and after you've settled in France.
Featured
Trans Americans Moving to France: Hormones, CPAM, and Keeping Treatment Going
Banned Dog Breeds in France: When a Pit Bull Mix Label Ends the Move
Trending
Most French investment products are PFIC tax traps for Americans. How the US-France treaty helps and where US citizens can actually invest in 2026.
Banking & Finance
Most French investment products are PFIC tax traps for Americans. How the US-France treaty helps and where US citizens can actually invest in 2026.
Tipping in France for residents: why service is included, what to give your cleaner, mover, hairdresser, and driver, and how to tip by card.
Daily Life
Tipping in France for residents: why service is included, what to give your cleaner, mover, hairdresser, and driver, and how to tip by card.
How French forced heirship, Brussels IV, and the US-France estate tax treaty affect Americans in France, plus 2026 succession tax rates.
US Taxes Abroad
How French forced heirship, Brussels IV, and the US-France estate tax treaty affect Americans in France, plus 2026 succession tax rates.
US citizens can stay in France 90 days in any 180-day period. How the rolling Schengen rule works, what counts, and how to avoid an overstay.
Visa & Legal Status
US citizens can stay in France 90 days in any 180-day period. How the rolling Schengen rule works, what counts, and how to avoid an overstay.
France vs Portugal vs Spain, moving to Europe from US, expat visas Europe, best country to retire in Europe, Americans abroad
First Steps
France vs Portugal vs Spain, moving to Europe from US, expat visas Europe, best country to retire in Europe, Americans abroad
French healthcare is not free for Americans. Real CPAM, mutuelle, and out-of-pocket costs in 2026, plus the new visitor visa contribution.
Healthcare
French healthcare is not free for Americans. Real CPAM, mutuelle, and out-of-pocket costs in 2026, plus the new visitor visa contribution.
France Navigator
Stop searching. It's all in one place.
Recommended by Baguette Bound
The App that guides you from the moment you start thinking about your move to France, through the relocation process, and after you've settled in France.
France Navigator
Stop searching. It's all in one place.
Recommended by Baguette Bound
The App that guides you from the moment you start thinking about your move to France, through the relocation process, and after you've settled in France.
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No unlimited marital deduction for a French spouse: the $15,000,000 exclusion, the treaty election, the QDOT and the $194,000 gift cap, with deadlines.
US Taxes Abroad
No unlimited marital deduction for a French spouse: the $15,000,000 exclusion, the treaty election, the QDOT and the $194,000 gift cap, with deadlines.
No unlimited marital deduction for a French spouse: the $15,000,000 exclusion, the treaty election, the QDOT and the $194,000 gift cap, with deadlines.
US Taxes Abroad
France does not look through a US revocable living trust: two French declarations, a 20,000 euro fine per missed filing, and up to 60 percent tax at death.
US Taxes Abroad
France does not look through a US revocable living trust: two French declarations, a 20,000 euro fine per missed filing, and up to 60 percent tax at death.
France does not look through a US revocable living trust: two French declarations, a 20,000 euro fine per missed filing, and up to 60 percent tax at death.
US Taxes Abroad
Home insurance is due at key handover, health cover before your visa. What France legally requires from Americans, in the order each policy falls due.
First Steps
Home insurance is due at key handover, health cover before your visa. What France legally requires from Americans, in the order each policy falls due.
Home insurance is due at key handover, health cover before your visa. What France legally requires from Americans, in the order each policy falls due.
First Steps
Never filed US taxes from France? The IRS streamlined procedure covers 3 years of returns and 6 FBARs penalty free. Who qualifies, and the clock on it.
US Taxes Abroad
Never filed US taxes from France? The IRS streamlined procedure covers 3 years of returns and 6 FBARs penalty free. Who qualifies, and the clock on it.
Never filed US taxes from France? The IRS streamlined procedure covers 3 years of returns and 6 FBARs penalty free. Who qualifies, and the clock on it.
US Taxes Abroad
The visa is 99 euros. The permit tax rose to 300 euros on 1 May 2026. The full one-time bill for moving to France from the US, line by line.
First Steps
The visa is 99 euros. The permit tax rose to 300 euros on 1 May 2026. The full one-time bill for moving to France from the US, line by line.
The visa is 99 euros. The permit tax rose to 300 euros on 1 May 2026. The full one-time bill for moving to France from the US, line by line.
First Steps
Moving $200,000 to France? The 1% remittance tax only hits cash-funded transfers. The exchange rate spread is the real cost. How to compare and cut it.
Banking & Finance
Moving $200,000 to France? The 1% remittance tax only hits cash-funded transfers. The exchange rate spread is the real cost. How to compare and cut it.
Moving $200,000 to France? The 1% remittance tax only hits cash-funded transfers. The exchange rate spread is the real cost. How to compare and cut it.
Banking & Finance