You are coming to France as a researcher. Let's see how to best prepare your stay!
Follow our checklist guiding you through the first steps of your say before and shortly after your move to France.
EURAXESS France centres provide free and personalised local assistance to researchers settling in France, as well as to their families. They work in conjunction with the public and support services of your host city to facilitate administrative procedures.
- As soon as you know where you will live in France, register on the EURAXESS France database via the Alfred Kastler Acc&ss Fnak National Foundation portal.
- Get in touch with the EURAXESS centre nearest to your future location ; many of them provide a similar registration system on their website.
During your stay in France, you will need certain documents or information for administrative procedures. Make sure you arrive in France with all the documents that you are likely to require. It will be easier to get hold of documents while you are still in your country than retrospectively to seek them once you are in France.
- Is your passport valid ? Make sure to extend or renew your passport if it is due to expire during your stay - you cannot obtain a residence permit for longer than your passport's period of validity. This also applies to your family, if they accompany you.
- For researchers, the most important document is your host institution's hosting agreement. Consult the entry and visas section for more information.
We recommend that you bring the following documents with you :
- The original certificate of your highest qualification - Master’s degree or PhD certificate (original document with translation into French if applicable.
- A proof of funding (work contract/ offer of employment letter/ bursary letter –original documents and copies)
- Your birth certificate (original document and copies) for you and each accompanying family member.
- Your marriage certificate if your spouse accompanies you (original document and copies).
- Your children's school reports (if applicable)
- Vaccination certificates and medical records for your accompanying family
- A copy of your most recent tax return (if available)
- If you wish to drive in France : your valid driving licence as well as international insurance certificate and vehicle registration document for your car.
Birth certificates and marriage certificates must be translated into French and legalised by the French consulate in your country of departure or they can be translated by a sworn translatoras soon as you arrive in France.
We recommend that you make several colour copies of your documents and have them with you when you attend an appointment.
- It is highly recommended to find accommodation, even temporary, before your arrival in France.
- For comprehensive information, consult the accommodation section which has a housing guide.
- Your nearest EURAXESS centre can provide practical advice to help you find accommodation.
- During your stay in France, you must have health insurance coverage.
- Consult the social security section and ask your EURAXESS centre for information on the formalities to be completed before your departure, depending on your situation. We also advise you to find out if your country has signed a social security agreement with France.
- Upon your arrival in France, you must validate your long-stay visa as a residence permit and, if applicable, those of your spouse and children. For detailed information, consult our dedicated Entry conditions/visas page to find out the correct procedure to follow according to your situation.
- Contact the EURAXESS center nearest to your place of residence to make the necessary arrangements.
- Open a bank account in your name or a joint account if are in France with your spouse. For detailed information consult our dedicated page on theFrench banking system.
- If you have a French contract of employment, as soon as you and your employer have signed your work contract, you can register with French health insurance coverage. For more information, consult our dedicated social securitypage.
- We advise you to register with the consular authorities of your country in France.
How much you spend on living costs each month will depend on where you live. Costs mentioned below are given as an indication only.
ACCOMMODATION
Halls of residence: €165 to €500
Private room rental: €250 to €400
Unfurnished studio apartment 10 to 30m²: €250 to €850
Furnished studio apartment 10 to 30m²: €350 to €1,500
UTILITIES
Electricity - gas: €20 to €30 per month
Water: €10 per month
Internet: €18 to €30 for basic packages
Home insurance: €60 on average
RESIDENCE PERMIT FEES
Students
- First request: €50
- Renewal: €75
Passeport Talent researchers:
- First request: €200 (for online long stay visa validation) or €225 (if you are required to apply for a residence permit in the 2 months following your arrival at a prefecture - "carte de séjour à solliciter")
- Renewal: €225
HEALTH INSURANCE
Mutuelle – top-up health insurance: €20 to €80 per month for one person
FOOD COSTS
Monthly costs for groceries: €200
Cost of a meal at a campus dining hall (RU): €3.30
Sandwiches: €3.50 to €8
Fast food meal: 8€ to €10
Restaurant/brasserie meal: €15 to €30
DAILY LIFE
Launderette: €3 to €8 (depending on load weight and on the launderette location).
Coffee: €1.10 to €4 per cup (depending on whether you stand at the bar or sit at a table).
Public swimming pool: €2 to €5 per admission
Cinema (excluding 3D and 4D movies): €5 to €12 per ticket
Ice skating: €5 to €8 per admission