Settling permanently on the French Riviera as an American citizen involves much more than purchasing a property. Beyond 90 days of presence, a long-stay visa becomes mandatory, with specific requirements regarding financial resources and health coverage. Tax residency, worldwide income reporting, FBAR obligations and the French-American tax treaty should also be anticipated before departure. This guide outlines the main procedures to be aware of when preparing for a smooth move to the French Riviera.
What to anticipate before settling permanently in France
Settling on the French Riviera is about more than purchasing a property. For an American citizen wishing to reside in France for more than a few months a year, a number of administrative and tax procedures need to be anticipated, often well before leaving the United States. This guide outlines the main steps to be aware of when preparing for a smooth move to the French Riviera.
The 90-day threshold: the first question to address
An American citizen can stay in France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, for tourism, family or business purposes. Beyond this threshold, a long-stay visa becomes mandatory, regardless of the reason for the stay. This application must be prepared exclusively from the United States, before departure: there is no possibility of regularizing the situation once in France. It is therefore the first question to address as soon as the relocation project takes shape, as it determines the timeline for the entire process.
Which long-stay visa should you choose to settle on the French Riviera?
For someone wishing to reside in France without carrying out professional activity there, the “visitor” long-stay visa (VLS-TS) is the most common option. It requires proof of sufficient financial resources, stable accommodation and appropriate health coverage, and does not permit paid employment in France. In most cases, this visa also serves as a residence permit for the first year, avoiding an additional application at the prefecture immediately after arrival. OFII validation, including a medical examination, is nevertheless required within three months of first entering France.
Other visa categories are available depending on the situation: family reunification for spouses of French citizens, retirement visas for people who have ceased all professional activity, or visas for parents of a child attending school in France. Choosing the right visa, based on the applicant’s specific circumstances, directly determines how smoothly the subsequent procedures will proceed.
Health coverage: an essential prerequisite
The long-stay visa application requires proof of insurance when the application is submitted, with a certificate clearly specifying the coverage dates and details of the benefits provided. It is important to note that access to Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa), France’s public healthcare system, is not automatic for a visitor visa holder who does not work in France: appropriate private insurance therefore remains necessary for a significant part of the stay, before possible affiliation with PUMa can be considered depending on the stability of the person’s residence.
Tax residency: a status that should not be underestimated
A person is considered a tax resident in France when their main home, main professional activity or center of economic interests is located there. This status entails an obligation to declare all worldwide income in France, including income from U.S. sources. The French-American tax treaty, in force since 1994 and amended in 2004, determines how taxation rights are allocated between the two countries in order to avoid double taxation. However, it includes a saving clause that maintains certain U.S. reporting obligations regardless of where the person resides.
American citizens remain subject to IRS obligations
One essential principle should be remembered: the United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live. Moving to the French Riviera therefore never exempts them from filing an annual tax return with the IRS. U.S. taxpayers living abroad automatically receive a two-month extension to file their tax return, without having to take any specific action, although interest on any amount owed continues to accrue from the standard filing deadline.
In addition, opening French bank accounts may trigger specific U.S. reporting obligations, particularly FBAR reporting for foreign-held accounts, and potentially Form 8938 for certain financial assets. Although these two requirements partially overlap in scope, they are not identical and may apply simultaneously.
Professional support from the very first steps
Given the complexity of these procedures, support from professionals familiar with both the French system and U.S. requirements can often make the difference between a smooth relocation and a process filled with administrative obstacles. It is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer or advisor specializing in French immigration, as well as an accountant experienced in French-American cross-border taxation, even before starting the visa application process.
At Carlton International, our multilingual teams have been assisting American clients with their relocation projects on the French Riviera for more than thirty years, working with specialized legal and tax partners to ensure that every stage of the project, from finding a property to completing the move, takes place under the best possible conditions.
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