Entry and residence regulations for France: Your move made easy

Moving to France – to the land of savoir‑vivre, culinary excellence and breathtaking diversity – is an attractive goal for many Germans. With its strong economy, central location in Europe and high quality of life, the country offers ideal conditions for a new start. As a leading moving company, KOCH Moving Logistics is by your side. Here you will find all the important information about entry and residence regulations in France, specifically for German citizens.

German citizens can enter France visa‑free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180‑day period, as France is part of the Schengen Area. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry. This applies to tourist trips, business trips, conference visits and family visits, as well as for jobseekers and persons wishing to pursue self‑employed activity.

NOTE ON ETIAS: From the last quarter of 2026 (expected), an ETIAS travel authorisation will be required for visa‑free stays. This costs €20, is valid for three years and is applied for online. The European Union will announce the exact date several months before its introduction.

Thanks to EU freedom of movement, German citizens can live and work in France under simplified conditions. For employment or a stay of more than three months, you must register with the prefecture (Préfecture) of your place of residence. German emigrants also have the right to look for work in France for six months – they only need to register with the local job centre (France Travail). As German citizens, you need neither a work permit nor a residence permit.

 

For registration you need to:

 

– a valid identity card or passport;

– proof of your employment or sufficient means of subsistence;

– proof of your residential address in France (e.g., rental contract).

 

After registration, you will receive Sozialversicherungsnummer (Numéro de sécurité sociale)and can apply for a residence card for EU citizens.

EU citizens such as German nationals have an unconditional right of residence for up to three months. For a longer stay (more than three months), the right of residence continues if:

 

– you are engaged in employment (employee or self‑employed);

– you are undergoing training;

– you have sufficient means of subsistence and health insurance;

– you are a family member of a person with such status.

 

For the duration of your stay, you can apply for an EU residence card (carte de séjour d’un citoyen de l’Union européenne) from the prefecture. This card documents your right of residence but is not mandatory. For third‑country nationals (citizens from outside the EU), stricter rules apply. They generally require a residence permit for longer stays of over 90 days.

After five years of uninterrupted lawful residence in France, Union citizens acquire the right of permanent residence (droit au séjour permanent). This right is unlimited and no longer linked to conditions of employment, sufficient means of subsistence or training. You can apply for a permanent residence card for EU citizens, which certifies your unlimited residence rights.

Naturalisation in France is possible under certain conditions. The general naturalisation requirements include:

– Five years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in France (generally calculated from the date of asylum application) in Frankreich (in der Regel berechnet ab dem Datum der Asylantragstellung).

– Proof of sufficient French language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (oral and written).

– Passing a compulsory civic exam (Examen civique) , which tests basic knowledge of French society, republican values and civic duties. This exam was introduced from 1 January 2026 .

– Clean criminal record (no serious offences).

– Stable and sufficient income (proof of secure livelihood).

– Good integration into French society.

 

NOTE ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP: France generally allows dual citizenship. German citizens can acquire French nationality without having to give up their German citizenship.

A double taxation agreement exists between Germany and France , which prevents income and assets from being taxed in both countries. An important special provision is the cross‑border commuter rule (Article 13 paragraph 5 of the DTA). Cross‑border commuters – persons who live in one contracting state and work in the other –pay their income tax in their state of residence, even if they pursue their professional activity in the other contracting state. The prerequisite is that both the residence and the place of work are within the so‑called border zone : for cross‑border commuters resident in France working in Germany, a maximum of 30 km from the border; for cross‑border commuters resident in Germany working in France, a maximum of 20 km.

Cross‑border commuters may not return to their place of residence on more than 45 working days per year (so‑called "non‑return days") or work outside the border zone. This rule is being applied more strictly from January 2026. Individual tax advice is recommended to correctly assess personal circumstances.

France is similar to Germany in many ways, but also shows typical French characteristics. The French place great importance on politeness and formal manners. In contrast to German directness, French communication is often more indirect and more focused on consensus. A harmonious working environment and refined manners are highly valued. Greeting with a firm handshake is customary; for repeat meetings among acquaintances, the "bise" (cheek kiss) may also be used. Punctuality is expected, but not handled as strictly as in Germany – a delay of five to ten minutes is generally tolerated.

French work culture is characterised by a good work‑life balance, flat hierarchies and a strong social dialogue. The statutory 35‑hour working week is a special feature of France and enables an excellent balance between career and family. Employees in France have a statutory minimum holiday entitlement of 30 working days (5 weeks) per year. The statutory minimum wage (SMIC) from January 2026 is €12.02 per hour or €1,823.03 gross per month.

Registration with the prefecture is the central administrative act after your arrival in France. Registration should be carried out as soon as possible after your arrival . Registration is done in person at the prefecture (Préfecture) or sub‑prefecture (Sous‑préfecture) responsible for your place of residence. In many cities, an appointment is required via the prefecture's website.

 

Required documents for registration:

– a valid identity card or passport;

– proof of residential address (e.g., rental contract);

– proof of employment or sufficient means of subsistence (e.g., employment contract, bank statements);

– three passport photos (according to EU standards).

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: French prefectures often have long waiting times for appointments – therefore plan sufficient time. After successful registration, you will receive an attestation de demande de carte de séjour (certificate of application for a residence card), which serves as temporary proof until the actual residence card is issued. Processing time can take several months.

German citizens do not need a visa to enter France, so no visa fees are incurred. Administrative fees may apply for the issuance of the residence card (however, this is currently free of charge for EU citizens in most cases; please check the exact fees with your prefecture).

Moving to France requires thorough preparation and an understanding of local administrative procedures. We at KOCH Moving Logistics are by your side to make your dream of emigrating to France as smooth as possible.