Moving to France is exciting, but once you land, there are a few critical steps you must take to stay compliant, connected, and comfortable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the most important things to sort out in your first few days.
In order of priority:
1. Validate Your French Visa
I can’t stress this enough—validating your visa is absolutely essential. If you hold a long-stay visa (VLS), you must validate it online within 90 days of your arrival in France.
Why it’s important:
- It legalizes your stay for more than 90 days.
- It allows you to exit and re-enter France freely during the validity period.
- You’ll also be able to travel across the Schengen zone without issue.
⚠️ If you don’t validate your visa within the deadline, you’ll have to reapply for a new visa—even if you’re still in France.
You can validate your visa easily online via the official French government website.
2. Get a French Phone number
Using your home country’s SIM card in France can quickly get expensive due to international and roaming charges. But more importantly, many French platforms and services—like banks, government sites, and utility providers—require a French (+33) number to send you OTP (one-time-passwords) or verification codes.
Most French mobile providers offer affordable prepaid or no-contract plans (sans engagement). Some popular options include Free Mobile, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Orange.
3. Open a French Bank Account
You’ll need a French phone number before you can open a bank account, as most banks will send security codes to your mobile.
To open a bank account, you’ll typically need:
- A valid passport or national ID
- Proof of residence (like a rental contract or utility bill)
- Proof of income (depending on the type of account or bank)
- Your signature
📝 Some banks may ask for additional documents depending on your status (student, self-employed, salaried, etc.).
💡 See for example documents required by BNP Paribas.
🎁 Need referral for BNP Paribas? Drop me your email address and I will send you the invite!
4. Register for Health Insurance
Depending on your situation, here’s how to get covered:
- International Students: Register through the dedicated AMELI. fr portal for International Students.
- Employees: Your employer will usually handle your registration with the French health system.
- Self-employed or freelancers: You’ll need to show proof of consistent residence in France (such as a lease, bills, or tax documents).
Getting your Carte Vitale (health card) may take time, but don’t worry—healthcare is still accessible during the wait.
5. Get a Public Transport Card (Or Convert Your Driver’s License)
🚂 🚃 🚌 If you plan to use public transportation, you’ll want a local transport card. Major cities like Paris (Navigo), Lyon (TCL), and Marseille (RTM) offer monthly passes for buses, trams, and metros.
For regional and long-distance train travel, get familiar with SNCF.
🚙🚘 Planning to drive instead? You may need to exchange your foreign license for a French one. This can be done through Agence Nationale des Titres Securisés, depending on your nationality and license origin.
6. Set Up Your Internet Connection
If you’re staying in student or university housing, great news—Wi-Fi is often included.
If not, you’ll need to subscribe to an internet service provider like SFR, Orange, Bouygues, or Free. Be prepared to provide:
- A valid passport or national ID
- Proof of residence (like a rental contract or utility bill)
- French bank account details (for billing)
💡 Tip: Consider bundling your internet and mobile phone plans for better deals.
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