BEFORE
MOVING TO LYON
So you're moving to Lyon , France ? Let us be the first to welcome you and allow us
also to share some helpful information and tips to make the relocation to France
as smooth as possible for you and your family. Before moving to France ,
consider the following items.
* RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTATION FOR MOVING TO FRANCE
• a passport valid for at least three months beyond your entry date
• at least 20 recent, passport-size photographs
• For students, a notification of admission or confirmation of application
from your school in Lyon
• For professionals, an employment contract or job offer letter
• For non-EU citizens, a pre-authorization for a residency permit
• proof of financial resources for your stay in France
• visa (not a tourist visa), if staying more than three months
• originals and certified translations of education certificates and proof
of academic qualifications
• marriage certificates and birth certificates for all family members
• insurance documents
• confirmation of health insurance coverage in your home country and abroad
• book of vaccination certificates (note: no specific vaccinations are required
for entering France )
• valid driver's license and certified translation, international driving license
* VISAS FOR MOVING TO FRANCE
According to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay in Lyon ,
a French visa, residence permit, and/or work permit may be required.
Visas are required for non-EU members if your relocation to France will last longer
than three months. If you will be employed while in France you will also need a work
permit which is issued in conjunction with your visa.
You must apply in your home country as visas are never issued in France .
As of October 2003, a long-stay visa costs 99 euros, payable in local currency.
In order to obtain your Residence Permit, or Carte de Séjour , you must have long-stay
visa as residency is not granted for those with only a short-term visa.
The following comprehensive website provides all the updated information you'll need
for getting the appropriate visa, if needed, before moving to France .
An English version is available.
http://www.france.diplomatie.fr
* WORK PERMIT WHILE LIVING IN FRANCE
The French are notorious for protecting available jobs from expats who have
relocated to France . One challenge you may encounter as a result is obtaining
a work permit, which is required for any and all employment in France .
A work permit is issued in conjunction with your Carte de Séjour and is available for
both long-term and temporary employments. Applications must be made before
moving to France as the work permit will affect the status of your visa.
With some exceptions, members of the EU, citizens of the European Economic Area
(EEA: Norway , Iceland and Liechtenstein ), Andorra , Monaco , Switzerland ,
or San Marino are not required to have a work permit. Do keep in mind that if the job
will last more than one year, you will still need to apply for French residency,
or a Carte de Séjour , within the first three months after moving to France .
Before hiring a non-EEA citizen, French businesses must first prove that the job is
not sought after by any qualifying EEA citizens. Obviously, the steps needed to prove
this are complicated so many smaller companies will not go to the trouble and time
of this process. In order to open the position to non-EEA citizens the job must first be
listed with the national employment agency, the ANPE, ( Agence nationale pour l'emploi).
If no suitable French candidates apply, a file including your application along with
the company's intent to hire you will be moved on to the Department Directorate of Work,
Employment and Training, the DDTEFP (Direction départementale du travail,
de l'emploi et de la formation professionnelle) .
Assuming your file meets the criteria of the DDTEFP, they will then inform the hiring
company, your local Préfecture , and the OMI (Office des migrations internationals )
that you are eligible to be hired for this job. At this point you may begin the processes
of applying for your visa and residency permit, which includes a medical examination.
You will also need one passport-size photo and valid travel documents.
If the decision of the DDTEFP is negative, they will communicate to you and
the hiring company their reasoning.
Note : If you have a temporary resident permit you do not have the right
to work in France . However, you can apply for a change of status through
the services des étrangers at your local Préfecture . Your request will be examined by
the DDTEFP based on your reason for relocating to France , your qualifications,
and your profile.
Prefecture du Rhone
14 bis quai Général Sarrail - 69006 Lyon
* FINDING PROPERTY IN FRANCE
Our English real estate section is a great place to begin looking for housing in
France that suits your needs before you actually move to France .
The following information will give you an in-depth look at the French rental process,
as well as a few tips.
For those who are moving to France , finding and securing a place to rent that suits
your needs and budget can be a nightmare if you are not acquainted with the way
the rental system works. And finding a place isn't the end of the process.
In order to secure your tenancy you will further have to provide various pieces
of evidence to prove that you can pay your way. However, once all the paperwork
has been taken care of and the agreement signed the tenant is given generous rights,
more so perhaps than in many English-speaking countries.
Estate Agents
The most obvious way of finding out what is on the local property rental market is
to visit estate agent offices ( agences immobilières) which can be found in most areas,
and like anywhere can vary greatly in quality of service. Les Pages Jaunes is a good start,
but you might find the best local estate agents simply by walking around the city.
On the completion of a deal, agencies usually charge both the new tenant and
the property owner honoraires (fees) that amount to roughly half the sum of one
month's rent each. However, check their rates at the very beginning so you are not
let in for any unexpected surprises later on.
Vendeurs des Listes
There are also businesses known as vendeurs des listes , which, for a flat fee
(usually about 150 euros), will provide you with a list of rental properties and
the contact details of their owners. This way you avoid dealing with agents immobilières
and their fees but paying so much for what is simply a list does hurt, and it doesn't
mean you will necessarily find what you are looking for!
The Press
Look in local and free newspapers and publications as they usually carry property ads,
or annonces immobilières. .
National newspapers such as Le Figaro publish several pages of property ads each
day but you may find that they usually advertise upmarket properties at rates beyond
the pockets of the average person.
If you are keen to save on costs and bypass estate agents, there are publications that
offer direct deals such as De Particulier à Particulier (From Individual to Individual),
a weekly national magazine that is full of private property ads with hundreds of rentals each week.
Furnished or Unfurnished?
Apart from holiday homes, rented accommodation in France nearly always involves
unfurnished property. And when they say unfurnished it really does mean that,
so you are likely to have to invest in a fridge, cooker and other such appliances.
Property Size
Property in France is described by the number of pièces (rooms), excluding the kitchen
and bathroom. A one-bedroom flat with sitting room, for example, is called a deux-pièces
and categorised as T2. You'll find that the average rented city apartment is between
two and four rooms. In terms of space, a comfortable three-roomed apartment (T3)
for a couple with children would amount to about 80 mètres carrés (square meters).
The Rental Agreement
French law offers quite generous protection to the locataire (tenant). This includes a
complicated evictions procedure, which includes rights of appeal and the prohibition
of evictions during the winter (November 1 to March 15). French proprietères (landlords)
are therefore very cautious before concluding a deal, and a lot of paperwork is required
in order to obtain the assurance that the locataire can pay the rent!
Basically, the le contrat de bail (rental agreement) involves a pledge made by the landlord
not to ask the tenant to leave during an agreed period, except if the tenant reneges on
the terms of the agreement laid out. The tenant is free to leave whenever, subject to terms
of two or three months' notice.
Requirements
As a prospective tenant you'll be asked for:
Pay slips, usually for the previous three months, to show that you can earn
enough to pay the rent.
-
Proof, such as your work contract, that you are not currently employed for a trial
or short period of time, nor close to retirement.
If you are self-employed and cannot provide pay slips, you will be asked to provide your
previous year's tax payments as an indication of what you earn. If you're a student and
have neither pay slips nor a contract, you'll also be asked to prove you are a student and
also provide a letter/bank guarantee/pay-slip from a French resident to act as a guarantor
if you fail to pay your rent.
• Proof of identity, usually either a residence permit or passport.
• Proof of your current address, usually a telephone or electricity bill from within the last
three months.
If you've just arrived, have neither French pay slips nor French tax return statements,
and don't know of any resident prepared to act as a guarantor, then your only solution is
to provide a bank guarantee.
• A chèque de caution (deposit), usually for the sum of two or three times the rent to be paid
to the landlord. This will be returned to you, without interest added, within two months after
the end of the tenancy, subject to any deductions for damage you might be held responsible for.
Also, be observant of the état des lieux (inventory), which both parties sign before moving in
and after a rental agreement has been reached. Make sure every detail is clearly marked, and
perhaps even take photographs; otherwise you could be held responsible.
You will also be required to take out a police d'assurance (home insurance policy) at the same time.
Additional Costs
If that wasn't enough already, be aware that renting an apartment in France will involve
paying charges for the regular upkeep of the building, called the charges communes ,
which are sometimes included in the rent. If so, this will be described as charges comprises .
The charges are worked out as a monthly average based on the previous year and cover
things like the cost of the concierge, cleaners, and common water supplies and so on.
If the charges are not included, make sure you know what was paid the previous year.
You'll be refunded if the common spending is less than the previous twelve months.
Your residence will also be subject to a yearly local tax, called la taxe d'habitation , which varies
greatly from place to place. It is broadly calculated on the size of your apartment or house.
You should ask about these before entering into an agreement and find out what you're likely
to have to pay. As a general rule, inhabitants in densely populated areas tend to pay less,
but if your area is attractive and well kept the cost may be high.
And Finally...
Don't be put off by all the paperwork. But do remember that if you want to move in somewhere
quickly, you are best advised to have all the paperwork prepared beforehand.
Last but not least, though it is not essential, if you are not acquainted with the system
or lack confidence in speaking French, it might be helpful to take a French speaker along with you.
Bon Courage!
If you are able to search in French we recommend the following sites to get you started.
www.leprogres.fr
www.paruvendu.fr
www.topannonces.fr
www.colocation.fr
www.seloger.fr
For those moving to France , understanding the annonces immobilieres may present a
challenge. Here is a brief guide:
Vente For sale
Location For rent
e.g. LYON 2eme, F3 88M2, meublé, équip, cc.gaz, tres clair, tres calme, 4é ét,
600E + 25E ch. direct propriétaire
Arrondissement, (e.g.; 2ème) the administrative district
F3 or T3 This shows the number of rooms, excluding the kitchen, toilet and bathroom.
So F3 means one/two bedrooms and a dining/ sitting room.
meublé furnished
équip equipped with basic household appliances, such as cooker, fridge etc.
CC (chauffages compris) heating costs included. It will then normally specify
whether it is gas or electricity.
très clair, lumineaux ,- light
très calme - quiet
é ét (étage) what floor the property is on. E.g.; 4é ét, means fourth floor above ground level.
+ch,+ charges listed price excludes communal charges
charges comprises All communal charges included
direct propriétaire, contract propriétaire deal directly with the landlord
confiance immo This means you will be renting through an estate agent.
* MAP
Familiarize yourself with your new home!
(Insert link directly on Lyon site)
Lyon - http://www12.mappy.com/sidwSd+jTXIfd/Mn21w/CFGMA?csl=m1&fsl=m1&gsl=m1
&msl=m1&xsl=1&out=2&wnm1=&wcm1=&nom1=&tnm1=Lyon&tcm1=&a10m1=
&pcm1=&ccm1=250&x=13&y=3
* DRIVING LICENSES IN FRANCE
EU driving licenses
EU members moving to France need not worry about exchanging their driver's license as they
can drive on it in France until expiration. In addition, you may record your license at your
local Préfecture at no cost so that it can easily be replaced if lost or stolen.
Non-EU driving licenses
The service des permis de conduire at your local Préfecture or sous Préfecture can answer any
questions about driver's licenses for non-EU members moving to France .
After receiving your Carte de Séjour in France you may drive for a maximum of one year using
your driver's license issued in your home country. Once this year has expired, you must apply
for a French license. Residents of certain countries can be issued a French license simply by
exchanging their valid home country license. The fee for exchange is approximately 22 euros.
A French drivers test is required for all others.
The same situation exists for residents of the US . Citizens of Connecticut , Illinois , Kansas ,
Michigan , New Hampshire , South Carolina , Florida and Kentucky may exchange their licenses
for a French license, but all others must take the driver's test.
The fee for exchange is approximately 22 euros.
Applying for a French Driver's License
Applications are made at your local Préfecture de Police and require the following documents:
- Valid ID
- Your valid driver's license along with a notarized translation in French
- Proof of residence: statement of domicile, electricity bill or rent receipt
- Carte de Séjour with photocopy of both sides.
- Four passport size photographs
Prefecture du Rhone
14 bis quai Général Sarrail - 69006 Lyon
The International Drivers Permit (IDP) is available for a minimal fee and valid for
one year in France when accompanied by your driver's license.
English citizens www.theaa.com
You can print the application from http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp004.html
and submit documentation in person or by mail.
Required for mail application:
- Completed and signed application
- 1 or 2 passport-size photos, depending on circumstances
- Copy of your driver's license
- Copy of appropriate passport pages
- £5.50 check made payable to Automobile Association or postal order
Mail your completed application to the following address:
The Automobile Association
International Motoring Services
Fanum House, Basing View
Basingstoke , Hampshire RG21 4EA
US citizens - www.aaamidatlantic.com
You can print the application from http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html
Required for mail application:
- Completed and signed application
- 2 ORIGINAL passport-size photos
- $10 permit fee, no cash
- Copy of your driver's license
Mail the completed application to your nearest AAA office.
If you are currently overseas, mail your completed application to the following address:
AAA/IDP
1000 AAA Dr .
Heathrow , FL 32746
Attn: Mailstop #28.
Australian citizens www.racq.com
Required for mail applications:
- Completed and signed application
- Passport photo
- $20 permit fee
- Copy of your driver's license, both sides
Mail the completed application to the following address:
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Ltd
2649 Logan Road
Eight Mile Plains
QLD 4113
Canadian citizens www.caa.ca
You can print the application from http://www.national.caa.ca/e/travel/id/idp-app.shtml
Mail the completed application to your nearest CAA office. Your IDP processing
should take one to three weeks.
Required for mail applications:
- Completed and signed application
- 2 passport-size photos
- $15 permit fee (Bank draft, money order or check in Canadian funds drawn
on a Canadian bank payable to the Canadian Automobile Association)
- Copy of your driver's license, both sides
* IMPORTING GOODS INTO FRANCE
The laws for importing goods depend as to whether you are moving to France from
an EU or non-EU country. For details, contact the French Embassy in your country of origin.
French Embassy in USA
4101 Reservoir road NW
Washington DC 20007
Tel : [1] (202) 944 60 00
Fax : [1] (202) 944 61 66
Website : http://ambafrance-us.org
French Embassy in UK
58 Knightsbridge - Londres SW1X - 7 JT
Tel : [44] (207) 07 31 000
Fax : [44] (207) 07 31 042
Website : http://www.ambafrance-uk.org
French Embassy in Canada
42 Promenade Sussex
Ottawa , Ontario , KIM 2C9
Tel : [1] (613) 789 17 95
Fax : [1] (613) 562 37 35
Website : http://www.ambafrance-ca.org
French Embassy in Australia
6 Perth avenue Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel : [61] (2) 621 601 00
Fax : [61] (2) 621 601 27
Website : http://www.ambafrance-au.org
French Embassy in New Zealand
Rural Bank Building - 13ème étage
34-42 Manners Street - PO box 11-343
Wellington
Tel : [64] (4) 384 25 55
Fax : [64] (4) 384 25 77
Website : http://www.ambafrance-nz.org
French Embassy in Ireland
36 Ailesbury road - Ballsbridge - Dublin 4
Tel : [353] (1) 277 5000
Fax : [353] (1) 277 5001
Website : http://www.ambafrance.ie
French Embassy in Belgium
65 rue Ducale
1000 Bruxelles
Tel : [32] (2) 548 87 11
Fax : [32] (2) 548 87 32
Website : http://www.ambafrance-be.org
French Embassy in Norway
Drammensveien 69 - Oslo 2
Tel : [47] 23 28 46 00
Fax : [47] 23 28 46 70 ou 71
Website : http://www.ambafrance-no.org
French Embassy in Iceland
Tungata n° 22 - PO box 1750 - Reykjavik 121
Tel : [354] 551 76 21/22
Fax : [354] 562 55 67
Website : http://www.ambafrance.is
French Embassy in Germany
Parizer Platz 5
D-10117 Berlin
Tel : [49] (30) 590 03 90 00
Fax : [49] (30) 590 03 91 10
Website : http://www.botschaft-frankreich.de
French Embassy in Japan
11/44 Chome Minami Azabu - Minato-Ku Tokyo 106
Tel : [81] (3) 542 088 00
Fax : [81] (3) 542 088 47
Website : http://www.ambafrance-jp.org
