An Interview with Jeremy Berthouz: Tips & Insights on Relocating to France

We’ve connected with Jeremy Berthoux of Home Conseil Relocation to learn what it’s like to relocate to France. Jeremy is a true expert on the subject, having provided relocation assistance to expats through his company for more than a decade. Today, he will share with us a wealth of knowledge and perhaps help you determine if moving to France might be a good option.

Jeremy, it’s a pleasure to speak with you today. Please give us a brief introduction! Tell us about yourself, your company and how long you’ve been in business.

The pleasure is shared!

My name is Jeremy Berthoux and I’m the President of Home Conseil Relocation, a company that has specialized in assisting assignees with their global mobility journey since our company was founded in 1991 by none other than my mother Dominique.

We assist companies and their assignees with their inbound immigration and relocation needs throughout all of France as well as outbound assignees throughout the world.

Also, 2024 marks the celebration of my 10 years in the industry and my seven years at the helm of Home Conseil Relocation.

What are the most common challenges for families relocating to France?

There are two sets of common challenges when relocating to France:

The first set is linked to the very administrative aspect of France. Red tape is a reality in France and our dedicated Immigration Department is accustomed to dealing with the specific requirements of French administrations.

Similarly, our Relocation Department navigates the sometimes Kafkaesque administrative burden that weighs on assignees, especially those who are not French-speaking as French people are notoriously poor English speakers themselves: for example, French banking details are a must to file rental applications in France but in order to open a French bank account… a permanent French address is required! To get out of this catch-22 situation, we partner with banks that enable the opening of a French bank account without a permanent address.

The second set of challenges faced, especially for those assignees settling into major cities (especially Paris), is the situation of the rental housing market which offers fewer properties than potential tenants. This tension enables landlords and realtors to pick and choose their tenants, which they do very carefully as French law is very protective of tenants and makes it very difficult for landlords and realtors to deal with issues linked to late or missing payments. In that scope, assistance from a professional team to help navigate this ever-changing landscape (now becoming more and more riddled with scams) is essential to ensure a smooth move to France.

What is the average cost of living in France?

As France is a very centralized country around Paris and its surroundings, the cost of living will vary greatly depending on the location of housing. For a single person, the total monthly cost of living will err within the following:

  • Paris: €1,800–€3,000+
  • Other large cities: €1,200–€2,000
  • Small towns/rural areas: €900–€1,500

The above includes all reasonable costs, especially health insurance, largely subsidized by employers, which will leave only supplemental insurance to the employer’s charge (between €30 and €100 per month).

What does one need to do to get a French driver’s license? Are there certain areas where people can get by without having a car? What’s it like to drive in France?

Major cities will usually facilitate living without a car.

For expats with driver’s licenses obtained outside of the EU, exchanging your foreign license for a French one is mandatory after one year of presence in France, calculated from the date the Residence Permit is secured (if possible, if not, taking the driver’s license test again is mandatory).

This is a long process which takes up-to 12 months, so it should be started as early as possible!

Driving in France is very similar to any other EU country.

What is the visa process like for someone wanting to move to France?

Visa processes will depend on the type of visa and immigration path applicable to one’s case.

It can either be quite quick (2 to 3 months) and also encompass the Work Permit required to work in France in a compliant manner for select immigration paths, such as the Talent category or a quite long process requiring the completion of the Work Permit beforehand which lengthens the process (up to 6 months).

Red tape is a reality in France and very little leeway is offered in terms of documentation, which may need to be apostilled or legalized in the home country.

What are the residency requirements?

Residency requirements in France vary depending on the immigration path and may include proof of a work contract in France for a business professional’s path and proof of resources in France and private medical coverage for visitor statuses.

All statuses however do require proof of long-term housing in France either through a lease or proof of home insurance or a utility bill, hence the importance of being able to assist assignees we support with both their relocation and immigration needs.

What are the main differences in work culture between France and the United States?

Main differences between French and US work cultures lie with:

  • A stronger focus in France on work-life balance, leading to a smaller number of work hours in France, guaranteed by law for employees.
  • A very strong legal protection of workers from their employers (much like tenants are protected by law from their landlord).
  • A stronger hierarchical approach in France which translates into more formal communication as well.

What are some common language faux-pas or barriers an expat might face after relocating?

French people are notoriously not great at speaking foreign languages (although less true in a professional environment) so any effort from a foreigner is highly appreciated.

Mastering the very basics (“Bonjour”, “S’il vous plaît”, “Merci”, “Au revoir”) will thus go a long way in making integration smoother at first but learning French will, too.

What are some common misconceptions about living in France?

France’s prominent image in the public eye leads to many misconceptions about living in France:

  • The French are rude: French culture values politeness and formalities. What may seem “rude” is often a cultural misunderstanding. For example, not greeting someone with “Bonjour” before asking a question can come across as impolite.
  • Strikes and protests mean the country is chaotic: Strikes and protests are part of French political culture and a way for people to express grievances. While they can be disruptive, they rarely bring the entire country to a halt.
  • France is all about Paris: While Paris is iconic, it’s just one part of a diverse country. Life in Provence, the French Riviera, Normandy, or Alsace is very different, often slower-paced and more community-oriented. Each region has its own culture, cuisine, and lifestyle.
  • French schools are like “Emily in Paris” workplaces: French education and workplaces often emphasize formality, discipline, and high standards. They can be quite demanding, with long hours and a strong focus on results.

What advice would you give an expat to help them adapt to the French way of life?

  • Learn the language
  • Understand French Bureaucracy
  • Respect Mealtime Culture with long meals, even for lunch!

What are some resources that might be useful to an expat moving to France?

Our Welcome to France Guide, a very comprehensive resource explaining all the intricacies of France regarding housing, schooling, healthcare, driving, culture and much more which is provided to all assignees we assist!

What’s the best way for someone to contact you if they’d like to use your company’s services?

Via email, either through my professional address Jeremy.berthoux@home-conseil.com or through our company’s general inbox: info@home-conseil.com!

Thank you, Jeremy, for taking the time to speak with us today. We look forward to sharing your insights with our community.

For more information about Jeremy’s company, please visit Home Conseil Relocation’s website.

Home Conseil Relocation Team | France

Home Conseil Relocation Team in France

Fluency Corp

We are Fluency Corp, an online corporate language school. All of our classes are completely customized to the job and your language needs. We invite you to check out our other interview about expat life in France for more insight on relocating to France.

If you’re ready to level up and improve your skills in French or another language, Fluency Corp is here to help you take that leap! Simply contact us for a free consultation and we’ll answer all your questions.