Moving to and Living in France Like: What’s it like in 2026?

From a high quality of life to affordable healthcare, France offers diverse regions and a vibrant culture. Plus, with the French government establishing a stable, predictable salary threshold for work permits, “L’Hexagone” becomes increasingly attractive for skilled professionals and tech talent, especially with the “Talent – Qualified Employee” permit and EU Blue Card.

However, while moving to and living in France can be exciting and rewarding, it requires serious preparation: visas, housing, healthcare and daily life. France may offer a high quality of life and strong public services, but your experience will depend on your reason for moving, where you choose to live, and how early you plan.

In this piece, we break down what life in France is like in 2026, providing practical settling-in tips and key information for those looking to make that move.

Cost of Living and Housing: How Much Does It Cost to Live in France?

France is known for its high quality of life, but this comes with a relatively higher cost of living in comparison to other European countries like Spain and Italy. Major cities like Paris and Bordeaux are often more expensive, so keep this in mind within your search.

Housing

Rent and housing costs depend on several factors, such as location and home type: 

Buying property varies dramatically by region, with urban centres costing significantly more than rural countryside and towns.

Utilities

While utilities will vary depending on home size, location and energy consumption, monthly utility costs for an apartment in France typically range between €113 and €302, with an average of around €165 – €185 a month. Internet fees can add an additional €30 a month.

Below is the breakdown of average costs (per month):

• Electricity (incl. heating): €80-€200
• Gas (if used for heating/cooking): €70
• Water: €40 (depending on household size)
  • If you own the house you live in, you will need to pay an additional water system charge for buildings of about €65.
• Internet/Cable: €25-€30
• Waste collection (Habitation Tax): €20

Tip: Many rental agreements offer fixed utility costs included – look out for these to help avoid any additional costs.

Healthcare and Insurance

The French healthcare system, Securité Sociale, is widely viewed as one of the best internationally. It covers a significant portion of medical expenses for both French citizens and legal residents, providing basic coverage.

Yet there may be instances where having private health insurance makes sense, such as dentistry and private hospital care.

PUMA (Universal Health Protection)

France’s universal coverage, PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie), is a state-run, mandatory, and insurance-based system available to everyone who resides in France. PUMA usually covers around 70-80% of medical costs – the remaining 20-30% is paid by the patient or supplementary private insurance.

To be eligible for PUMA, you must have resided within France for over three months and plan to live in France for more than 6 months a year. You will need to register with the Securité Sociale and obtain a social security number (numéro de Sécurité sociale). This process can take several weeks or months, and you must show proof of residence and pay social contributions to benefit from coverage.

Mutuelle

As PUMA does not cover all expenses regarding healthcare, most expatriates take out a supplementary mutuelle to avoid high, unexpected costs. This is a top-up insurance policy that covers what public healthcare does not, such as:

• Dental care
• Hospitalisation
• Medications
• Specialist consultations
• Alternative therapies (e.g.: physiotherapy)

International Private Health Insurance

Those ineligible for PUMA (e.g., short-term visitors, those who haven’t hit the 3-month mark yet), must purchase comprehensive international private health insurance. At Crown Relocations, we recommend plans that offer worldwide coverage and access to a wide network of healthcare providers, such as Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer.

‼️ – For emergencies in France: Call 112

Higher Education

Following Brexit, UK expats are typically classified as non-EU international students and therefore are subject to increased tuition fees at public universities:

• €2,895 per year at the licence(bachelor) level
• €3,941 per year at the master’s level

Non-EU students looking to enrol at a Doctorate level are not subject to differentiated tuition fees, meaning the cost remains €397.

Some universities may offer exemptions to reduce fees to EU levels based on residency status, although this is not guaranteed for all UK citizens.

Summary

Moving to and living in France in 2026 can be an incredibly rewarding step, whether you are relocating for work, study, retirement or lifestyle.

With careful planning around visas, housing, healthcare and education, settling into French life becomes far smoother and far less stressful. Starting early gives you the flexibility to make informed decisions, avoid delays, and focus on enjoying everything France has to offer.