Are you thinking of moving to France soon? We share this guide to being a digital nomad in France, so you know what to expect.
As a digital nomad, you can work wherever and whenever you want. All you need is a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection. Europe is a hot destination for remote workers who enjoy traveling, and France is undoubtedly one of the best European countries to visit.
If you’re considering moving to France as a digital nomad, you’ll want to check out the following helpful guide.
Accommodation in France
Whether you want to live in a bustling city like Paris or a village of rural beauty in the French countryside, France has numerous accommodation options. Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and other options are widely available.
So, no matter what your budget is, you’ll be able to find suitable accommodation. And if you want to stay in France for a few months, you could consider finding an apartment in Paris to rent.
Speaking the Language
While many people in France speak English, especially in the cities, you’ll want to learn a little French to make the most out of your time in the country.
Being able to speak a little of the language will show that you respect the local culture and it will be much easier to meet locals and make friends. The good news is, as a digital nomad, you can simply practice speaking French online with a native-speaking qualified tutor.
Wi-Fi and Coworking Spaces
Fast internet is widely available throughout France, so even if you’re in a rural location, you should be able to work remotely without issues.
If you opt to live in a city, you’ll easily find a coffee shop that has speedy Wi-Fi. Furthermore, coworking spaces are gaining serious traction in France. So, if you don’t want to be stuck in a hotel room to work, you can easily find another comfortable place to work from.
The Cost of Living in France
The cost of living in France is actually quite high. But while things like food, transportation, and accommodation are higher in price than in many other countries, you can cut the cost of living down by living in a more favorable location.
For instance, Paris is much more expensive than other cities. Also, the cost of living is typically always lower in more rural areas.
Visa Requirements for France
France’s visa requirements depend on your citizenship, your purpose for visiting the country, and how long you intend to remain there. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you’re free to visit France for business or pleasure for a period of no more than ninety days without needing to apply for a visa.
Most digital nomads like to move on every few months, so France is a good option if you want to stay less than three months. If you’re from another country, the visa requirements could be different.
Being Self-employed in France
If you’re looking at staying in France for some time, you could want to become self-employed in the country. You would then pay French taxes and be able to invoice French companies and open a French bank account.
Thankfully, the process for digital nomads to become self-employed in France is now simple. You can apply online for Micro-Enterprise Status, as the self-employed status is known in France. You should receive your self-employed status fairly quickly.
The Weather in France
Where you choose to live in France as a digital nomad can be based on several factors, such as your budget and whether you prefer bustling cities or quiet countryside.
You should also take the weather into consideration. The weather and climate can vary quite a lot depending on where you’re located in the country.
The western side has an oceanic climate, so in general, expect moderate temperatures and mild winters. On the eastern side of France, the summers are warm but often accompanied by thunderstorms and the winters tend to be cold.
In general, March to May tends to be sunny with warmish temperatures, and between June and September, the summer temperature can get quite hot.
Getting Around France
Getting around France is nice and easy.
If you intend to explore a lot of the country, you might want to consider hiring a car. Having your own wheels allows you to travel between places quickly and see more of France’s rural areas.
But most digital nomads use the country’s excellent public transport. Public transportation in most of the major cities, like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, is efficient and inexpensive. And in small towns, it’s usually easy and pleasurable to walk around on foot.
Furthermore, France has some of the fastest trains in the world. From Paris, the Train à Grande Vitesse links around fifty French cities, so it’s easy to get from one city to another quickly.
French Cities
That’s the boring stuff out of the way. Let’s end on a high. France has multiple wonderful cities you could live in. As a digital nomad, you may even want to live in every city over time!
The world-famous Paris should most definitely be on your list of places to visit. In fact, the capital has so much to offer, that you’ll never be short of things to see and do.
From historic cafés and Michelin-star restaurants to first-class museums and fascinating flea markets, not to mention famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is a wonder to explore.
You should also consider Bordeaux, which is famous for its wines and historical buildings, Dijon, which is home to stunning seventeenth-century architecture, and Montpelier, which is close to the beautiful Mediterranean coast.