Residents » Overview » Before You Arrive

As you prepare to leave home make sure that you have all your paperwork in order. Contact your bank, insurance and credit card companies and make sure that all of them know that you will be living abroad. None of them should be surprised to see that you’re making transactions from France; often a credit card company will temporarily freeze your account if there are suddenly charges being made in a foreign country. Notify the post office, telephone and television providers, newspapers, magazines and so on that you will be leaving the country and make certain that you have telephone service through your last day in your home country. Ensure that you have all important documents in a single file and leave a copy of this file with a trusted friend at home. If in doubt, bring the document. You’ll soon find that the French are swayed by three things; love, dogs and documents. Keep in mind that not all medications are available in France and consider filling prescriptions before you leave or speak with your doctor about substitutes. It is possible, depending upon where you’ve received your driving licence, to exchange it for one in France.

Think Ahead

If you have children, contact prospective schools before you arrive; there are a wealth of options and choosing a school can be overwhelming. See p.xxx.